Trauma Therapy
Do you find yourself struggling with emotional dysregulation, and you don’t know why that co-worker always makes you want to punch the wall? Or do you go out of your way to avoid people and places that remind you of a specific traumatic experience you had? Are you relationships suffering? Maybe your loved ones find themselves scared of you, or walking on eggshells because they don’t know what to expect. Maybe you isolate yourself, preferring creature comforts over connection, or perhaps you have physical health symptoms you can’t explain or find a root cause for. Trauma leaves its mark. It’s a profound experience that let unresolved can create intense and negative feelings and responses in the individual who experienced it.
Some pitfalls of unresolved trauma may include:
• Avoidance: People tend to avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma. This can lead to isolation, failed relationships, and missed opportunities for growth. Life shrinks for the individual.
• Self-Blame: Many individuals shame themselves, shouldering the blame for what happened, and creating an internal shame narrative. “Why didn’t I do more?” or “Was this my fault?” may become their mantra.
• Numbing and Distraction: Filling the void the trauma created can look like addiction, co-dependency, excessive eating, working out, mindlessly filling time with activities.
• Hypervigilance: Those who survive trauma are constantly scanning for danger, becoming hypervigilant and trusting their world less and less.
• Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: The mind has a way of pulling you back into the trauma, whether through vivid memories or disruptive thoughts, often when you least expect it.
Many say that “time heals all wounds,” however we have found that this is a grave misconception. Trauma often grows with time and rarely heals it. Trauma must be processed in a safe space with a safe person. Without getting help, the impact of trauma will only depend and drag out over the years. It can affect your mood, your health and your relationships.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Trauma therapy isn't about re-experiencing the event —it’s about processing the memory in a healthy way and regaining control of yourself.
It helps you:
Understand how trauma affects your brain and body, helping you realize that you're not "broken."
Process the emotions that have been buried, allowing you to release the weight of your past.
Rebuild healthy coping mechanisms that let you face life’s challenges with resilience instead of fear.
Reconnect with yourself and others, healing broken relationships and restoring a sense of safety.
How Trauma Counseling Can Help You Heal
At Alpine Family Counseling, Andrew is a seasoned expert in trauma therapy, using modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and talk therapy to help you work through the trauma.
Trauma therapy can:
Help you break the cycle of negative thinking and behavior that has held you back.
Rebuild your sense of safety in the world and within yourself.
Restore healthy relationships by helping you understand your triggers and needs.
Empower you to thrive rather than just survive.
You may be considering trauma therapy, but have some common concerns:
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I'm skeptical that therapy can help me:
Totally fair! We get it—therapy may seem like one of those things where people just talk about their feelings, but you wonder “Does this actually do anything?” Think of it this way: if you had a broken leg, you wouldn’t just sit around hoping it heals on its own (and if you did, that leg would probably heal in some weird direction). Trauma is a bit like that, except it’s an emotional break. Therapy gives you the tools to heal properly instead of hobbling along, pretending it’s fine. And hey, worst case scenario, you’ll at least get to vent about your day to someone who won’t interrupt you.
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I'm worried about judgment:
Ah, the classic “What will people think?” Well, let’s be honest: people have opinions about everything, from what we wear to how we parent our kids. The truth is, people might have opinions, but what you get out of therapy is what matters. It’s about your healing, not finding approval from others. And the best part? You don’t need anyone else’s permission to seek emotional health.
Additionally, our therapists provide a judgment-free zone for you, so you can be as honest and vulnerable as you want to be!
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How long will it take to recover from trauma?
We wish we could see into the future for you! But reality is, healing isn’t like baking a cake—you can’t just set a timer and know when it's done. It depends on the person, the trauma, and how much work you're willing to put in. Some people start feeling better in months, others take longer. But here’s the thing: if you’ve been carrying your trauma for years, wouldn’t it be worth it to lighten that load, even if it takes a bit of time? Even incremental change is growth and helps move in the right direction for healing!
The Path Forward
Acknowledging that trauma has impacted you is the first step.
The next step getting help. Trauma doesn't have to be a lifelong shadow.
With the right approach, you can heal, grow, and reclaim your life. Here at Alpine Family Counseling, we want to guide you through it.
It's not about forgetting the past, but transforming how it affects you— so you can live freely and fully in the present.
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