Trauma Counseling Near Me: What is Trauma Counseling?
In my work, I have found it is common for people to question if they are “crazy” or if something is “wrong” with them. More often than not, the answer is “no.” No, you are not crazy. No, something is not wrong with you. In fact, I wager quite the opposite is true. You are a survior.
To quote Mary Harvey, a well-known practitioner and researcher in the field of trauma and mental health, “trauma survivors have symptoms instead of memories.”
Take a moment and consider this:
Symptoms instead of memories.
Learning About Trauma Counseling Near Me
When working with a well-informed trauma counselor at Retreat Counseling & Wellness, you will learn that trauma survivors do in fact, have memories. But not the kind of memories you typically think of where you visually recall the events in your mind’s eye. Instead, we are talking about implicit memories.
As taught by many well-involved professionals including Janina Fisher and Bessel van der Kolk, implicit memories are automatic, unconcious memories stored deep within our bodies. You may also hear these be refered to as “body memories.” We do not store them purposefully and we cannot bring them into conscious awareness.
Can you give me an example?
Body memories / Implicit Memories: When we feel intense emotions or sensations, such as feeling anxious, depressed, tense, on edge, and/or angry, these are often accompanied by uncomfortable bodily responses like dizziness, nausea, or the urge to shut down, numb out, or run away. Our bodies are talking to us. Your body’s symptoms are the messages it is sending to you.
Finding the Right Counselor: Trauma Counseling Near Me
As you search for ‘trauma counseling near me‘, it can be helpful to find a counselor who understands this–one that can explain to you how your body has adapted to traumas and perceived threats in ways that have helped you to survive over time.
In my work with clients, I use a model proposed by Janina Fisher in which we refer to these adaptations as the “legacy” of symptoms that trauma keeps on giving every day. In other words, trauma manifests within our bodies and despite the fact that many of our trauma-related events happened months, years, or even decades ago, our trauma lives on today (via symptoms).
Healing: Trauma Counseling Near Me
Learning how to respond to your body’s messages (symptoms) is part of the healing process, and I won’t lie, it can be confusing.
My goal is to make this process less confusing, and for you to feel confident in your ability to listen to and respond to your body’s attempts to take care of you. Even though it may not feel like it, you ARE wired for survival!
Integration: Trauma Counseling Near Me
Healing from trauma is all about integration. In our work together, you will learn to stay present with your body and to integrate your experiences. As I like to say, our trauma will always be part of us, but it does not have to define us.
When we work together, I use a person-centered, trauma-focused, holistic approach to ensure our interactions are purposeful and authentic so you can begin to heal, integrate, and understand your symptoms in a different way.
I Am Ready for Trauma Counseling Near Me
Remember, patience is key. Healing and integration do not happen in a linear fashion. We go up and down, we zig and zag, and we fall forwards and backwards. Self-compassion is a component we will use in trauma counseling to help with this. Self-compassion gives you an avenue to thank your body for protecting you and helping you to survive all this time.
Now, as you complete your serach for ‘trauma counseling near me’ you may take your first steps towards changing your relationship with yourself and your body.
