Counseling To Heal the root cause of Trauma & PTSD

What would your life be like if you could heal your trauma and PTSD symptoms?

The counseling experts at Integrative Psychotherapy Montana have a lot of experience working with adults and college students who struggle with unresolved trauma and PTSD symptoms. It’s a common reason people seek counseling.

Are you struggling to cope with something that has overwhelmed your nervous system, or a traumatic event? Are you often overwhelmed with intense emotions? Do you feel “on edge” unable to relax? Do you have you unwanted memories or images about a particular experience? There are traumatic events that are universally traumatic such as a natural disaster, and then there are experiences that are less universal but impactful, such as job loss or divorce. It’s important to understand that people experience events differently. In other words, what traumatizes one person may not be as impactful to another. It’s important to have a professional help you if you are experiencing symptoms of something that has overwhelmed you.

At Integrative Psychotherapy Montana, we feel strongly that counseling should heal the root cause. Identifying symptoms of trauma or PTSD is the start to finding the root cause. If you are suffering from trauma, we look forward to working with you to create a life you can enjoy.

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

• You experience shock, denial, disbelief, anger, mood swings, irritability

• You lack interest or motivation

• You have tears and uncontrollable sadness

• You experience fatigue and exhaustion

• You experience insomnia and nightmares

• Your appetite has changed

• You experience racing heart, thoughts, aches, pains, muscle tension

• You experience sweating and perspiring

• You have nausea and intestinal upset

• You have muscle tension or feel shaky

• You feel overcome with fear, even though you’re perfectly safe in the here and now.

• You have trouble focusing, startle easily, and startle easily

• Your memory may be poor

• You feel haunted by an experience

• You get triggered by something that reminds you of the trauma, even if it is harmless

• You are accident prone

• You withdraw from others, feel disconnected and numb

• You experience flashbacks and can’t stop thinking about past events

Your life doesn’t need to be dominated by the trauma you experienced.

People often think that PTSD and other trauma-related struggles are unique to veterans or people in the military, or that it has to be a universal event to qualify as traumatic. This is not true. You can struggle with PTSD-like symptoms after things like: childhood events, the loss of a loved one or witnessing a car accident. Residual trauma symptoms can impact your life in big ways. You might struggle with heightened anxiety or depression. You might find yourself feeling tense with loved ones, or be unable to concentrate or be present at home, work or school. These are all common symptoms of PTSD and signs that you might need some extra support to work through the memories of the event.

Most trauma-trained therapists know that talking about trauma in therapy week after week does not lead to healing. In fact, it can actually maintain the symptoms. Healing from a traumatic experience sometimes takes a specific type of therapy such as EMDR therapy. EMDR therapy helps clients access and process traumatic events in ways that actually helps the brain and nervous system re-wire in more adaptive and helpful ways.

What are common symptoms of trauma?

Symptoms of trauma can manifest in various ways and may differ depending on the individual and the nature of the trauma. Here are common symptoms associated with trauma:

• Intrusive Symptoms:

  • Flashbacks: Vivid, re-experiencing of the traumatic event as if it's happening again.

  • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the trauma.

  • Intrusive thoughts or memories: Unwanted and distressing thoughts or images related to the trauma that intrude into consciousness.

• Avoidance Symptoms:

  • Avoiding reminders of the trauma: This can include people, places, activities, or situations that remind the individual of the traumatic event.

  • Emotional numbness: Feeling detached or unable to experience emotions.

  • Avoiding talking about the trauma: Reluctance or refusal to discuss the traumatic event.

• Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood:

  • Negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world: Feeling that the world is dangerous, or that oneself or others are to blame for the trauma.

  • Persistent negative emotions: Feeling sad, angry, or guilty.

  • Feeling emotionally numb: Feeling detached from others or unable to experience joy or happiness.

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering details: Cognitive difficulties that may affect daily functioning.

• Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms:

  • Hypervigilance: Feeling constantly on edge or "on guard," expecting danger.

  • Irritability or aggression: Being easily irritated or having outbursts of anger.

  • Difficulty sleeping: Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep.

  • Exaggerated startle response: Feeling jumpy or easily startled.

• Alterations in Physical and Emotional Reactions:

  • Physical symptoms: Such as headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pains.

  • Feeling shame or guilt: Blaming oneself for the traumatic event or feeling ashamed of one's reactions to it.

  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities: Avoid activities or social interactions that were once pleasurable.

It's important to note that experiencing trauma can lead to a range of reactions, and these symptoms may vary in intensity and duration. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of trauma, seeking support from a mental health professional, counselor, or therapist can be helpful in understanding and coping with these experiences. Trauma-informed care focuses on creating a safe environment for individuals to heal and regain a sense of control over their lives.

What if your trauma doesn’t have to control your life?

At Integrative Psychotherapy Montana, we know that counseling and therapy can be a life-changing experience for people battling PTSD and trauma. Whether you’ve had depression for a long time, or it’s a new experience for you, we can help you cope. We offer therapy that includes not only interpersonal therapy, which is known to be supportive but also CBT skills to increase coping and EMDR and IFS for traumatic or negative memories that may be contributing to your trauma symptoms. Send us an email today and get started working with an experienced therapist or counselor at Integrative Psychotherapy Montana to help you heal your symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Ask us about the effectiveness of EMDR in resolving painful trauma symptoms. We are dedicated to helping you get better and resolve your anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, and relationship challenges.

Our psychologists and counselors are very skilled at helping you address the problems that bring you to counseling. We use very effective therapies that empower clients by teaching them how to change the patterns in thinking, behavior, or emotional responses that cause distress, to improve the quality of their lives. Send us an email today and get started working with a therapist at Integrative Psychotherapy Montana. We are dedicated to helping you get better and resolve your mental health concerns.

About Integrative Psychotherapy & Mind Body. Medicine Montana

Integrative Psychotherapy Montana is a collective of experienced heart-centered and neuroscience-based psychologists and psychotherapists who provide evidence-based therapy as well as mindfulness and somatic practices. They are based in Bozeman, Montana, and practice locally and throughout Montana virtually. The clinicians offer a range of psychological services provided by licensed practitioners at the doctoral and master levels, with additional advanced training in many therapeutic modalities. We provide individual, relationship, and family therapy and EMDR intensive services to adults and couples and specialize in areas such as trauma, PTSD, addiction, depression, anxiety, stress, emotion regulation skills, relationship conflict, loss, divorce, and life transitions. We accept most forms of insurance. Schedule today!