Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
What Are PTSD and Complex PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a single overwhelming or life-threatening event—such as an accident, assault, natural disaster, or combat. It is often referred to as a “shock trauma” response, because the nervous system is jolted and overwhelmed by a singular experience of fear, helplessness, or threat to one’s life or safety.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), by contrast, results from repeated or chronic trauma—often in the context of relationships where the person feels trapped, powerless, or emotionally overwhelmed over time. This includes experiences such as childhood abuse or neglect, long-term domestic violence, systemic oppression, or captivity. Unlike PTSD, C-PTSD affects core aspects of identity, trust, and emotional regulation.
What are the Symptoms?
PTSD Symptoms:
- Re-experiencing (flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories)
- Avoidance (efforts to avoid reminders of the trauma)
- Hyperarousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, jumpiness, difficulty concentrating)
C-PTSD Adds Additional Features:
- Emotional Dysregulation (difficulty calming after stress, frequent mood swings)
- Negative Self-Perception (shame, guilt, feelings of worthlessness)
- Relational Difficulties (difficulty trusting others, isolation, fear of abandonment)
- Persistent Dissociation (feeling detached from one’s body or reality)
How Do I Treat PTSD and C-PTSD?
I use a trauma-informed, integrative approach tailored to each individual’s needs and history. This includes:
Evidence-Based Modalities:
- Somatic & Body-Based Therapies (e.g., Brainspotting, somatic tracking, polyvagal-informed approaches)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma (CBT-T)
- Exposure Therapy (as appropriate)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Clinical Dreamwork (for nightmares)
Specialized Support for Complex Trauma:
- Parts Work/Internal Family Systems (IFS-Informed) – to support integration of fragmented parts of self
- Attachment Repair & Relational Safety Building
- Psychoeducation about trauma’s impact on the nervous system and identity
- Creative & Ritual-Based Healing (when appropriate, e.g., grief rituals, reclaiming practices)
A Note on Healing:
Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD or C-PTSD. Genetics, community support, and personal history all play a role in how trauma is processed. Some individuals may need ongoing support, while others find healing and recovery through short-term intervention.
If you are living with PTSD or C-PTSD, please know that healing is possible. You are not alone—and you don’t have to do this on your own.