Struggling with Trauma?

There is Hope!

Therapy for Trauma and PTSD at Full Circle Health and Wellness

At Full Circle Health and Wellness, we understand that trauma is a complex, pervasive event, and it permeates every aspect of life: emotions, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Our services to address symptoms on the trauma spectrum are designed to give you the necessary skills and support to navigate the complexities of your experiences and facilitate healing. Unfortunately, time does not heal trauma symptoms, and avoiding trauma-related memories, physiological experiences, thoughts, and emotions will only keep you stuck. However, science-backed interventions can help reduce symptoms of trauma and PTSD. There is hope!

Trauma and Its Effects

Trauma involves a large set of experiences with impacts unique to the individual. Some common types of trauma we address are:

  • Physical Abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Emotional abuse

  • Developmental Trauma, including parental absence, parental addiction, parental incarceration, homelessness and food insecurity

  • Domestic Violence

  • Natural Disasters

  • Car Accidents

  • Serious Injury

  • Combat-Related Incidents

  • Witnessing Violence or traumas endured by others

  • Effects of racism

  • Poverty

Common symptoms include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, feelings of being on guard, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, and emotional numbing. Most people come to therapy for things like low mood or anxiety, often without realizing that unresolved trauma could be the root of these symptoms. Our approach is to conduct a thorough assessment of potential traumas and related symptoms so that we can address them and thereby enable healing.

Our Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy

We are committed to using only evidence-based treatments that have been proven effective for trauma recovery. Our primary therapeutic modalities include:

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): PE is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that involves gradually approaching trauma-related memories and internal experiences (thoughts, emotions, and sensations), as well as external situations that you might be avoiding, thereby reducing the symptoms of PTSD.

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): CPT focuses on the impact of trauma on thoughts and stories about oneself, others, and the world. It allows for the resolution of trauma-related thoughts, which in turn will change feelings related to the traumatic experience(s). The result is that clients get “unstuck” from PTSD symptoms and move toward recovery.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps people learn to relate to their internal experiences (thoughts, emotions, and sensations) in a more flexible, accepting manner, thus changing their relationship to these experiences. It also teaches people how to reduce avoidance patterns and commit to behavioral choices that align with their values. In the process, clients experience increasing psychological flexibility, reduced suffering, and more meaningful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives.

While most clinicians offer support for trauma, not all of them have training and experience using these evidence-based approaches. Our dedication to continued education and training enables us to provide top-level care to clients.

Personalized Treatment for Your Journey

We understand that trauma recovery is not a one-size-fits-all game. Our therapist designs a treatment program for you specifically, based on your particular needs. We believe in creating a therapeutic alliance based on trust and empathy so that you feel safe exploring your thoughts and emotions.

We approach trauma work with the utmost compassion. Our therapist is committed to taking you through the treatment process, encouraging and empathizing with you as you face the trauma head-on. The therapeutic journey is a partnership, and you will not be alone.

The Goals of Trauma Therapy

The purpose of our trauma therapy services is to help you live in line with what you most want for your life and to experience relief from symptoms.

  • Symptom Reduction: Reducing the symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, intrusive memories, physiological activation and avoidant behavior, is a critical aspect of healing.

  • Emotion and Memory Processing: Processing through emotions and memories related to trauma is an important aspect of trauma recover.

  • Empowerment: Our method will help you face the avoided behaviors that restrict your life. In this way, you can more fully engage with all of your experiences and relationships rather than having symptoms control how you live your life.

  • Personal Goals Support to Live Fully: We believe in not only working to alleviate the symptoms but also helping you move toward a life that is consistent with your values and aspirations, be it conquering fear of a situation or setting up healthier relationships. Our therapy helps you attain the desired outcome.

A Typical Trauma Therapy Session

The idea of starting therapy for your trauma might be intimidating. This is understandable, natural, and expected. Knowing what to anticipate can be helpful.

  • Individualized Evaluation: Our therapist will carry out detailed assessments to understand your unique history and experiences and thereby develop an individualized treatment plan.

  • Compassionate Listening: You can share your story in a non-judgmental, safe environment. Our therapist has expertise in empathically and compassionately holding a safe space for you to address the most difficult experiences of your life.

  • Skill Building: You will learn skills and strategies to apply in your life outside of therapy, where it matters most.

We will monitor and assess your progress regularly in order to institute necessary modifications to your treatment plan and ensure you are moving closer to your goals.

Why Choose Us for Trauma Therapy?

We are committed to making a difference in care through expertise and compassion. Our therapist is highly trained in trauma recovery and uses evidence-based practices for effective treatment. Dr. Booke White has worked in the field of trauma for 25 years. Over the course of five years, she spent time in a Romanian orphanage working with severely traumatized children. In addition to conducting research in the area of trauma/PTSD treatment, she has completed multiple clinical placements and a full-time APA internship specializing in trauma treatment with supervised training through the National Center for PTSD. She completed a certificate program through Harvard Medical School in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery. This kind of therapy involves specialized skills and knowledge, so we offer the very best service.

Many clients come through our doors discouraged after having attempted therapy that did not work. Science has shown that not all therapeutic modalities are equally effective, and some can even make PTSD symptoms worse. For this reason, we use only interventions that have been scientifically demonstrated to work. Our goal is to help you gain the tools and support that enable you to reclaim your life and thrive.

Getting Started 

Taking that first step is a brave choice toward healing. There is hope! Contact us today for an initial consultation to discuss your needs and how our trauma therapy services can support you on your journey.

FAQs

  • It is not uncommon that clients tell us that earlier therapeutic experiences have disappointed many of our clients and made little difference in their symptoms. We know that not all therapies work, so we prioritize evidence-based treatments adjusted to suit your needs. While therapists are well-intentioned, when it comes to helping people suffering from trauma, in-depth training in evidence-based modalities is essential for symptom reduction.

  • The duration of treatment is based on individual needs and goals. The treatment modalities we use take approximately 3 months. Sometimes there is other therapeutic work a client is interested in doing, which will be available before or following trauma treatment as appropriate. We work with you to plan a timeline that fits your healing process and addresses the specific issues you are concerned about.

  • Avoidance is the hallmark of PTSD and it is natural to want to avoid painful memories. Facing these memories and related emotions is an important part of the healing process. While this can be very uncomfortable it is not dangerous and you will be fully supported through the process. It is natural and expected to feel avoidance and fear in facing traumatic events. Most patients have initial doubts about doing this, but learn through treatment that they are capable, the results are worth it, and the experience, while painful, was not as bad as they thought it would be.

  • We prioritize your safety and well-being. Our therapist is highly trained in emotional regulation techniques, crisis management, and suicidal ideation. You will not be left alone during the therapeutic process and safety will remain a top priority.

Let's Go for It

At Full Circle Health and Wellness, we believe that healing can and does happen. We are here to support you in every way possible. Together, we can chart a course toward recovery and build a life of fulfillment that is no longer tied to your painful, traumatic experiences. Please contact us today to learn more about our trauma therapy services and to schedule an initial consultation.