Trauma and PTSD therapists in Atascadero, California CA
Trauma and PTSD
Inner Expansions Therapy Services
Counselor/Therapist
When a person experiences a single event trauma like a car accident their entire world changes almost instantly. When a person has repeated traumas over time, like a difficult childhood their outlook on the world shifts. Many trauma survivors have a hard time feeling safe and secure. Survivors may begin to feel anxious and depressed, they may have trouble sleeping or nightmares, and may experience other behavioral changes that are frightening to them and their loved ones.
When you have experienced trauma and begin to see some of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s time to explore treatment so you can begin healing. The idea of therapy can sometimes feel scary and overwhelming to people with PTSD. But trauma therapy is really something that can be very empowering. With the help of a caring and qualified mental health professional the person can begin to process past events in a safe way.
Trauma therapy such as EMDR and IFS has the potential to actually change the way your brain works through what is called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity means our brains and neural pathways (how we think and feel) can change. Through specific therapy tools and strategies we can retrain our brains to let go of the fear and begin to heal.
15 Years Experience
Trauma and PTSD
Erik Edler
Counselor/Therapist, MA, LMFT
We live in a world where traumatic experiences are all too common. Frightening and even life-threatening events happen around us and may even invade a person's life; we call these experiences "shock trauma." Many people have also experienced "developmental trauma," when every day of growing up they faced intensely difficult circumstances. Trauma and PTSD take a terrible toll on a person's mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Generally speaking, it doesn't just go away on it's own; it requires treatment. I am here to help, and would be happy to answer any questions you have.
23 Years Experience
Trauma and PTSD
Michelle VanderJagt
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Trauma and Complex PTSD rewire our brains and turn us into versions of ourselves we don't want to be. Our reactions become oversized and unpredictable, causing pain for us and those around us. With Complex PTSD, our relationships are frequently unstable and dysfunctional, regardless of the work we put in. I have extensive experience in working with those who have been through trauma and I would love to work together to get you to a healthier and more stable place.
16 Years Experience
Trauma and PTSD
Dr. Ingrid Solano
Psychologist, PhD
Making sense of trauma, and the impact of trauma, can be accompanied by the fear that you will never be able to overcome the distress you feel when you remember the experience or when those intrusive nightmares, flashbacks, and negative thoughts come crashing into your awareness. Through trauma-focused therapy we reclaim confidence, hopefulness, intimacy, safety, self-esteem, and trust. I have specific expertise in treating trauma symptoms related to sexual assault, intimate partner violence and emotional abuse, military sexual trauma (MST), childhood and complex sexual trauma, violence, and combat trauma experienced by Veterans. These experiences can impact physical health, and daily life.
Many people will experience a form of trauma in their lives. Trauma can come with feelings of shame, anger, and confusion. Posttraumatic stress is a normal human reaction to traumatic events. However, for some individuals this stress persists and interferes with their ability to live the life that they want. I work with complex cases that sometimes include dissociation, numbness, anger, risky behaviors, and years of avoidance. The treatments I provide are the most powerful and effective treatments available for these conditions. I have expertise in individual, as well as relationship (i.e., with a partner) based trauma-focused therapies. I have experienced many times how these treatments help people gain new perspectives about what happened to them, develop a sense of empowerment over their trauma, and improve their lives. These treatments can also be helpful if you feel stuck following experiences of trauma, even if you don’t have PTSD. If you’re unsure whether you want to discuss your trauma, or unsure which approach feels like a good fit for you, we can discuss your concerns. We will explore trauma-focused care that builds upon your current support, coping skills, and personal experience. I primarily employ time-limited, evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT) such as CPT, PE, and CBCT. (See Individual and Couples Therapy based Trauma-Focused Services.)
In psychological literature, stressors are defined as events and conditions (e.g., losing a job, death of an intimate partner) that cause change and require that the individual adapt to the new situation or life circumstance. Stress processes can include the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing your authentic self, internalized homophobia, intimate partner violence, discrimination, and ameliorative coping processes that have become bad, ineffective habits. These experiences can be particularly painful when there is social pressure to conceal your experiences, or stigma. I address what it’s like to have no one to talk to about these experiences, and any distress that comes from having nowhere to do this work safely. I practice LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy that considers the impact of minority stress and chronic stress responses. Aside from these stress processes, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and heterosexuals who report any same-sex sexual partners over their lifetime, have greater risk of childhood maltreatment, interpersonal violence, trauma to a close friend or relative, and unexpected death of someone close.
11 Years Experience
Trauma and PTSD
Dr. Rebecca Scott, Psy.D
Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Certified in Holistic Health
I support PTSD and trauma by utilizing many different modalities. Recalling all the details of the trauma, research suggests, can retraumatize the patient and not be essential for treatment with all patients. Learning how to cope in the moment and relate to the world can be challenging, I can help support this journey.
15 Years Experience