It’s a beautiful sunny day.

You’re relaxed, lost in a daydream as you walk your dog through your neighborhood.

All of a sudden, two pit bulls come out of nowhere. Your poor lab is defenseless as the other dogs lunge, and tear at his neck. As a result, he’s on his back, yelping, and whimpering. They’ve got him in their jaws. After managing to kick one off (you hate it that you’re kicking a dog!), the other one latches on.

Then the dogs knock you over as you are yelling and screaming. Finally, you recover and try to get them to stop. Finally, after what seems like ages, a good Samaritan intervenes.

Does this count as trauma?

Needless to say, your dog doesn’t seem too shook up, but you are. Frequently, you replay this incident over and over in your head for the next coming days and weeks. Yes, I would say this is trauma.

Years after, your heart rate still quickens and you feel anxious when you’re with your dog and a loose dog approaches.

The definition of trauma is: “A deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” 

American Psychological Association defines trauma as, “an emotional response to a terrible event… Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.”

Trauma and PTSD aren’t just limited to war veterans. Indeed, It includes anything that leaves you badly shaken up. Truly, while some are more severe than others, these incidences can impair our overall well-being.

Perhaps while reading the example in the introduction, your brain flashes to something you experienced that left a mark. Distinctly you remember what you were wearing and remember how warped time became.

Unprocessed trauma doesn’t simply go away. Rather, it can take root in your body in all sorts of ways. From a physiological response it can cause tightness or chronic pain, and lead to mental health problems.

From an evolutionary perspective, trauma and PTSD intend to keep you alive. You are meant to avoid potentially dangerous and life-threatening situations in the future. Your brain wants you to remember. Trauma keeps the memories clear, crisp, and terrifyingly detailed in our brains for your protection.

Yet, as stated in PTSD: The Evolutionary Advantage

“… “The misery caused by a hyper-functional amygdala in PTSD is the cost of inheriting an evolutionarily early mechanism that considers survival more important than the quality of one’s life.” In fact, Zanette and her colleagues suggest that the only reason PTSD seems unnatural to us now is because as a species, we have progressively eliminated our predators.”

Three ways to heal from trauma

Brainspotting is a technique developed in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D.

The premise is that the brain stores trauma, and as a consequence, you suffer. Goals of brainspotting are to help the brain release this trauma. Allowing you to free yourself of the experience in a safe and supportive environment.

Your therapist uses a spotter and finds a point within your field of vision that awakens the traumatic event slightly. Then, they will help you face it, and work with your brain to let it go. Brainspotting is usually used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

During an EMDR session, you focus on a traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, usually through eye movements. As stated in this APA article, “EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory. And is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.”

Cognitive Processing Therapy:

CPT is a form of talk therapy with an educational element. Your therapist helps you examine the trauma. Then helps you examine the associated thoughts, beliefs, and areas of life that were (and still are) affected. As the sessions progress, you are able to see the incident differently. Ideally, you now see the trauma in a way that doesn’t evoke much of an emotional response.

Depending on what you need, any or a combination of these will be used. This American Life did an episode that is called “10 Sessions.” It will give you a clear vision of what CPT is and how one person healed.

At the Relationship Therapy Center, we help many people navigate past the clutches of their trauma using all of these techniques. Let’s help you do the same. We offer a free 15-minute consultation and are happy to answer any questions. If you’re suffering from trauma, it’s time to reclaim your life. You deserve a bright and happy future, one that’s not overshadowed by the clouds of your past.

Begin Trauma Therapy in Roseville, CA or Online:

Are you ready to find peace and healing after trauma? Our team is here to support you and provide high-quality evidence-based trauma treatment to people in the Sacramento Area and online for people living in the state of California. To begin trauma therapy in Roseville, CA or Fair Oaks, CA, please follow these steps:

• Reach out to our relationship therapy clinic for a free 20-minute phone consultation to learn more about trauma therapy

• Meet with one of our compassionate trauma therapists

• Begin trauma treatment and regain control of your life.

Other Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:

In addition to trauma therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Couples Counseling, Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include anxiety treatment, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, codependency counseling and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones.