Trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) actively develops after individuals experience or witness a terrifying or life-threatening event. Moreover, this condition frequently manifests through vivid flashbacks, recurring nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic incident.
To a lesser degree, many people occasionally find unwanted memories of a particularly distressing experience surfacing unexpectedly—for instance, a sudden mental image of the scene or a surge of anger might intrude while at work. Normally, these thoughts gradually fade over time, and the experience no longer disrupts daily life.
In contrast, with PTSD, these disturbing and intrusive thoughts persistently invade consciousness, sometimes enduring for many years. Clinicians refer to this intense form as “big T” trauma.
Trauma
When people discuss trauma, they often focus on events that provoke overwhelming fear, terror, or helplessness, as seen in PTSD. However, events can also deeply disturb individuals due to their personal significance. For example, receiving a failing grade in school or enduring constant yelling from a parent can steadily erode self-belief.
Consequently, if enough of these seemingly smaller events accumulate, they significantly impair one’s core belief system. Therapists commonly describe this cumulative impact as “little t” trauma.
Treatment
In treating trauma, therapists place little emphasis on distinguishing between “big T” trauma (PTSD) and “little t” trauma. Instead, they apply similar approaches to both. The traumatic experience often locks itself into the body and nervous system, requiring careful reprocessing, release, and completion to restore emotional well-being.
Through proven modalities such as EMDR, Somatic Psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy, clinicians effectively desensitize and integrate triggering events, thereby minimizing their ongoing impact. As a result, individuals gradually experience freedom from fear and anxiety, cultivate greater safety in relationships, and enjoy a markedly increased sense of emotional well-being. Ultimately, they reclaim the ability to fully enjoy life.
To learn more about signs, symptoms, and treatment of trauma and PTSD, go to the Mayo Clinic website.
In the process of therapy, I discovered events that happened long ago that were plaguing me, robbing me of peace and contentment in my life. With very little time, and a combination of traditional and alternative therapies, we got to the root of these memories and experiences…I have so much confidence in Kevin as a therapist. I would recommend him to anyone struggling with trauma, big or small. He is a life saver and he knows how to heal!
Depression and Bipolar
Depression is characterized by persistent sadness and a sense of feeling worthless, hopeless, and helpless. In the words of Elizabeth Wurtzel “A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious… it’s impossible to see the end.”
Anxiety
In simple terms, anxiety is a tendency to lean into the future. It is categorized by worry and/or fear. It robs us of the experience of enjoying the present. Although some may have a more anxious constitution, anxiety often has its roots in the past. It makes sense.
Negative Self Worth
We see ourselves based on our interpretation of past experiences. When one is plagued by negative self beliefs, evidence contradicting these beliefs does not register. One may be cognitively aware of what is true, but on an emotional level the negative belief overpowers.
Why Wait?
If you are tired of being stuck, or if the approach you are trying is not helping…
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