Metro Atlanta Trauma & PTSD Counseling

Trauma can lead to numerous mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Trauma may result from acute, one-time events or from repeated exposure to an incident or series of events. At CNSL, our trauma-informed therapists take a personalized approach to helping our clients explore and manage their trauma and PTSD. To learn more about our therapies and psychiatric services, please call our team today.

What Is Trauma? 

Trauma is defined as an emotional response, usually to a single terrible event, such as a crime or a tragic accident that results in serious injuries or death. Trauma can also be a pervasive problem resulting from chronic exposure to incidents or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or physically threatening, such as living with an abusive parent or partner. Initial reactions to trauma may include sadness, fear, anxiety, confusion, and numbness. Over time, trauma may lead to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Understanding PTSD 

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that occurs in people who have experienced a traumatic event. It is very common amongst veterans, particularly those who have witnessed combat. But it can also be experienced by someone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, been involved in a catastrophic accident, lived through a natural disaster, and more.

Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive thoughts and memories related to the traumatic event, including vivid flashbacks that feel very real
• Avoidance of people, events, or locations that may trigger distressing memories
• Changes to mood and cognition, including an inability to remember important elements of the traumatic event, distorted beliefs about oneself or others, experiencing feelings of shame or guilt, feeling detached from others, and feeling unhappy in life
• Being easy to anger, behaving in an irrational way, engaging in self-destructive behaviors, or having problems sleeping or concentrating

Trauma-Informed Therapy

If you or someone you love is experiencing trauma or PTSD, working with a therapist may help to work through the memories and start to build coping skills that are healthy and productive. During this process, it’s important to choose a trauma-informed therapist. Trauma-informed therapy is a type of therapy wherein the therapist is sensitive to the trauma and incorporates a set of principles into their approach that is designed to ensure an understanding of trauma-related issues. A trauma-informed therapist will implement the principles of safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, collaboration, mutuality, empowerment, voice, choice, and awareness of culture, gender, and history into their care.

EMDR for Treatment of PTSD

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is highly effective at treating PTSD and the effects of trauma. EMDR involves a combination of talk therapy and specialized stimulation, usually in the form of guided eye movements, which help the patient process traumatic memories in a way that promotes healing. CNSL is proud to offer this innovative and life-changing therapy for patients living with a variety of mental health conditions related to trauma, including PTSD.

Call CNSL Today for Trauma and PTSD Therapies 

If you are experiencing trauma or PTSD, you may feel isolated, afraid, and unsure about the future. While there is no easy or immediate fix, working with a therapist who specializes in trauma and PTSD can be a critical step in healing. AT CNSL, our therapists are dedicated to working with our patients to achieve patient-led goals. We are accepting new patients and encourage you to reach out to us online or by phone at your convenience to learn more.