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Therapy for Trauma Michigan Residents

Throughout our lives, we all experience events that can inflict pain or distress, making it difficult for us to stop worrying or feeling afraid for ourselves and those we care about. Some people seem to be great at coping with difficult situations without letting these events divert them from enjoying their day-to-day life. Others have more difficulty moving on after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. If you’re having a hard time after a traumatic event, please consider therapy for trauma in Michiganwith the therapists at Learning Dreams.

Image by Marc-Olivier Jodoin

What is Trauma? 

Damage that occurs following one or a series of distressing events is called trauma or psychological trauma, and It can impact the mind and body, leading to a range of side effects, including: 

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  • Increased anxiety, fear, hypervigilance, or safety planning

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering details

  • Disconnecting from others or feeling isolated

  • Disconnecting from the self or feeling numb 

  • Changes in sleeping habits – too much or too little

  • Changes in eating habits – too much or too little

  • Irritability and mood swings 

  • Visualizing traumatic events or feeling of reliving when awake (flashbacks) or asleep (nightmares)

  • Physical symptoms like racing pulse, shortness of breath, and sweating

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, often called PTSD, is a condition that occurs when a person experiences elevated physiological and psychological responses to situations as result of past trauma. PTSD is often associated with those who have careers that place them in danger, including firefighters, police officers, and members of the military, but anyone can experience PTSD. In addition to the symptoms of trauma injury listed above, those who are diagnosed with PTSD may experience the following:

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  • Hypervigilance often to the point of paranoia 

  • Dissociation from emotions 

  • Poor emotional management leading to troubling outbursts of anger, fear, or paranoia

  • Anxiety or panic attacks that make regular activities difficult 

  • Racing thoughts that distract from current experiences

  • Feeling of reliving the traumatic event or events 

  • Excessive response to certain triggers like loud noises, certain smells, or even seeing specific people

How Does Therapy Help with Trauma & PTSD?

Scientific studies have shown us that trauma has a real and measurable effect on the brain. Without appropriate treatment to heal this wound, those who struggle to cope with a traumatic event may continue to experience the negative symptoms, and for many, these symptoms can become increasingly worse over time. Those who struggle with trauma wounds are more likely to self-harm, develop substance use disorders, and engage in other self-destructive behaviors as well as being more likely to act out in violence against others. This may all sound like bad news, but the good news about trauma is that therapy can offer significant improvement. There are numerous results-driven therapy techniques that can help individuals heal and move forward beyond their trauma.

What Happens During Therapy Sessions for Trauma & PTSD?

For many people who seek therapy for trauma or PTSD, the first step is going to be achieving a level of safety and stability that will allow them to make progress toward feeling more at ease in their daily life. In some cases, this means combining prescription medications with regular therapy sessions. During your first few sessions, your therapist will talk to you about your current experiences and symptoms to help you determine whether or not medication is a good option for you. We’ll also be getting to know you better, so we can create a customized plan to meet your unique needs. At each session, you’ll review experiences that were triggering or difficult since your last meeting, discuss ways that the troubling situation could have gone differently, and learn ways of coping with the effects of trauma as well as healing the wound of trauma. The goal is for you to reclaim your healthy, thriving life once more.

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Partner with the Learning Dreams Team

Learning, cognitive, and behavioral challenges can’t be cured, but Learning Dreams provides the tools and resources to enable our clients to work around these difficulties and achieve great success. We also offer services to help individuals adapt and recover from physical injury or limitations. We are here to help you live your best and most fulfilling life.  

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