Trauma and PTSD therapists in Wahpeton, North Dakota ND

I specialize in the treatment of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Experiencing any trauma can negatively impact quality and leave a person feeling disconnected. By utilizing evidence-based treatments such as prolonged exposure therapy (PE), I will teach you to better manage intrusive trauma memories so you can start living life again.  

Treatment for trauma and PTSD is really hard. It doesn't feel good to remember the things we most want to forget and unfortunately there is no easy way to heal. You've likely already discovered that avoidance won't work. What we will work on together is feeling the feelings in session so that they are less likely to creep up on you when you don't expect or want them. We'll look at your thinking surrounding the event and how your thinking has changed over time. It will get better.  

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.  

A trauma-informed approach underlies all of my work as a therapist. I know that many clients come to therapy not specifically because of trauma, but because they feel lonely or inadequate, they are depressed or anxious, or just cannot seem to have the intimacy they crave. Sometimes acknowledging trauma comes later in the therapy work and that is okay. Just know that I trust that you will talk about it when you are ready. I would like to join you in acknowledging how the past has affected your present and in charting a course to healing that works for you. You may wish to talk about particular pains from the past and you may wish to focus on the future. We will work together to find the balance that is right for you, so that you can live the life that you really want to live.  

We will process and integrate your traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. In therapy you will understand the impact of trauma on their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as develop coping strategies to manage trauma-related symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Additionally, therapy may involve psychoeducation about trauma reactions, emotion regulation techniques, and building skills for self-care and resilience.