Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, and it significantly affects a person’s relationships, daily life, and well-being. While the symptoms of PTSD may feel overwhelming, healing after trauma is possible with proper support. At Woodland Pathways Counseling, I offer effective PTSD therapy in Tacoma, Washington, tailored to each client’s unique needs.
The Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD affects nearly 4% of the U.S. adult population. While it is usually associated with combat veterans, anyone can develop PTSD regardless of age, race, nationality, culture, or gender. In fact, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD than men.
PTSD can result from any distressing event that overwhelms the nervous system, such as abuse, assault, loss of a loved one, accidents, military combat, or natural disasters. Just as trauma is different for each person, PTSD symptoms vary between individuals. However, common symptoms include the following:
Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares
Avoiding people, places, or activities that trigger memories
Emotional numbness or feelings of disconnection
Intense emotions such as fear, anger, sadness
Hyperarousal, constant vigilance, or irritability
Guilt, shame, or a negative self-perception
Ordinary sounds or incidents, such as a door banging or accidental touch in a crowd, may elicit a strong and uncontrollable reaction. With PTSD, individuals may even feel responsible for their trauma. Over time, these symptoms can worsen, leading to depression, anxiety, and difficulty managing everyday tasks. With support and PTSD therapy, individuals can find ways to heal and recover.
Benefits of Counseling for PTSD
Counseling provides a safe, compassionate space where individuals can freely explore their emotions and thoughts without judgment. At Woodland Pathways Counseling, I understand the profound impact of trauma and incorporate research-backed, trauma-informed therapeutic techniques to support those with PTSD.
Evidence-Based Therapies for PTSD
Healing from PTSD requires a structured and personalized approach. To address each client’s specific needs, I offer the following modalities:
EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This highly effective technique uses bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, to stimulate the brain’s natural healing process. With this approach, individuals are able to reprocess difficult thoughts, memories, and emotions, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing them to integrate past experiences. EMDR is especially useful for memories that trigger fear, shame, or distress and can help clients shift their perspective on past trauma, fostering healing.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Many individuals with PTSD have ingrained thought patterns that reinforce fear, self-doubt, or feelings of helplessness. The goal of CBT is to provide practical coping strategies to manage anxiety, panic, and avoidance while challenging unhelpful thought patterns and replacing them with healthier perspectives. With CBT, individuals can return to a place of hope with a greater sense of control over their thoughts, behaviors, and triggers.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a specialized type of trauma-informed cognitive therapy that focuses on how a person perceives and processes a traumatic event. CPT aims to help clients work through stuck points, which are certain thoughts and feelings related to the trauma that are preventing emotional healing. CPT promotes self-compassion and cognitive restructuring, allowing individuals to heal without being defined by their past.
With these approaches to trauma processing, individuals develop invaluable tools for reducing symptoms and reclaiming their sense of peace.
A Professional PTSD Therapist in Tacoma, WA
Therapy can help those with PTSD regain control, improve emotional resilience, and achieve relief from distressing symptoms. If you or a loved one has PTSD and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to Woodland Pathways Counseling for PTSD therapy in Tacoma, WA. As a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA, I have personally seen amazing transformation through therapy and can help you find ways to recover and enjoy a thriving, fulfilling life.