Therapy for Trauma and Abuse

 

Abuse can take many forms, including but not limited to, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

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Some forms of abuse identify a particular relationship, such as in child abuse or spousal abuse. In addition, many view child neglect, whether it is physical or emotional, as a form of abuse. The impact of abuse can be long-lasting and traumatizing. It can affect our ability to experience and express various feelings related to the abuse and it can negatively impact how we see ourselves and how we view and approach relationships with others.

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An experience is often considered to have been traumatic when the residual effects linger long after the initial event(s). With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, for example, the traumatic event is often re-experienced through images, thoughts, dreams, flashbacks, or physiological distress. An individual may also experience psychological or physiological distress when exposed to internal or external reminders of some aspect of the traumatic event.

 

Avoidance can also play a part, as an individual may avoid stimuli associated with the trauma, including thoughts, feelings, conversations, memories, activities, places, or people. While avoidance patterns can temporarily relieve immediate feelings of anxiety or distress, they may also have a dramatic influence on quality, including current relationships.

 

Our therapists have experience working with survivors of trauma and will tailor interventions to suit the specific needs of our clients.