Trauma and PTSD therapists in Holton, Kansas KS

None of us can escape some level of trauma; inevitably, it will be a part of life. How much it affects us, however, depends on many factors including the nervous system we were born with, our outer resources, and how much relational support we receive to help us recover from the trauma. Many people do not have access to adequate resources to help them recover from trauma (and this is very subjective and personal, varying from person to person), and the trauma continues to affect them in (sometimes subtle, but still) impactful ways. If certain factors come together, PTSD may develop out of trauma. Often clients feel like they have failed because they can't completely "get over" their PTSD reactions. I have often reminded clients that PTSD is "the gift that keeps on giving". It can be very hard, perhaps impossible, to completely eradicate PTSD reactions, because the reaction is not just of the mind, it is of the whole body. My approach to helping clients with trauma and PTSD involves looking at it holistically and working to understand how the trauma changed you, your reaction across many facets of your life (thoughts, feelings, habits, behaviors, self-care or lack thereof, expectations, how you view the world), and then working on replacing what is harmful with what is helpful. The goal isn't to completely get rid of the PTSD symptoms (which is likely impossible) but rather to dramatically reduce its effect on you, so you can live your best life, and so an occasional symptom breaking through will not derail you.  

The UCEBT Trauma, Stress, and Resilience (TSR) Program provides expert care in the treatment of stress and trauma-related issues. Most people at some point in their lives will experience a trauma or other difficult event, such as a loss of a loved one, medical illness, financial stressors, work burnout, divorce, etc. Depending upon our unique past and current circumstances, these events impact each of us differently. In the aftermath, some may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, grief, or experience other life challenges. In spite of our best efforts, sometimes the problems persist and common coping strategies (like isolation, working long hours, alcohol, etc.) can create new problems. Fortunately, there are now several proven therapies to get people unstuck and tap into our natural human ability to heal after a painful life event. Our center is committed to offering the most effective treatment options for both supporting you during a difficult period as well as long-term skills to foster resiliency for the future. There are several gold standard evidence-based treatments right now for trauma. Our clinicians in this program have formal training and expertise in: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Cognitive Processing Therapy -- CPT is a therapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to their traumatic experiences. It aims to promote cognitive restructuring and reduce distressing symptoms. CPT has been recommended as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA/DoD). This episode of This American Life does a great job capturing what to expect in CPT and illustrating its effectiveness: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/682/ten-sessions Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions -- TF-CBT is a structured therapy that focuses on helping individuals process and cope with traumatic experiences. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-specific interventions. TF-CBT has also been widely recommended as a treatment PTSD by the APA and the VA/DoD. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) -- This modality uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce distressing symptoms. In contrast to the "top-down approaches" listed above, this is a "bottom-up approach," meaning that it starts with addressing the physiological and sensory aspects of an individual's experience before moving on to cognitive or higher-order processes. This approach recognizes that trauma can have a profound impact on the nervous system and bodily sensations. The goal is to help individuals process and release traumatic experiences by accessing the body's wisdom and resources. By directly targeting the limbic system (the feeling center of the brain) and sensory receptors throughout the body, a bottom-up approach aims to undo trauma's imprint on the body and promote healing. It acknowledges that trauma responses are not solely cognitive but also involve physiological and sensory aspects. Prolonged Exposure -- PE is a type of therapy that involves gradually and systematically exposing individuals to trauma-related memories, situations, or objects that they have been avoiding. The goal is to help individuals confront and process their traumatic experiences, reducing avoidance and fear. PE has also been recommended as a treatment for PTSD by the APA and the VA/DoD. The Gottman Method for Couples Therapy Written Exposure Therapy (WET) -- Sometimes, flashbacks can be so debilitating and spike our SUDS so suddenly, that all of the above-mentioned modalities end up doing more harm than good. This modality is a brief, trauma-focused talk therapy that involves a series of [typically] five 30- to 45- minute sessions. The therapy involves writing about the thoughts and feelings experienced during the traumatic event, which allows individuals to engage with the memory and potentially overcome shame or embarrassment associated with the experience. The goal is to help individuals find new ways to think about their traumatic experiences and gain relief from PTSD symptoms. There is little 'down time' between sessions, meaning an individual could schedule all five sessions back-to-back and effectively stop flashbacks or other reexperiencing symptoms within a week, which no other modality can match in terms of efficiency.  

I have worked with individuals across the lifespan who have experienced varying types of trauma and believe the therapeutic space can provide a container for healing.  

Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and unable to cope with daily demands? Do you have unresolved trauma from past experiences which make it difficult to function? Utilizing a Cognitive Behavior (CBT) approach, we will help develop new ways to respond to your past and help you take charge of your life.  

I place a high value on authenticity, empathy, and safety, and strive to work on clear goals to improve well-being. As a daughter of immigrants, someone dealing with two autoimmune diseases, I wish to use my personal experiences to better assist those who struggle with identity and health issues, and difficult transitions. It is not uncommon to experience trauma when struggling with complex medical health diagnoses.