Our therapists offer PTSD & trauma therapy in Philadelphia, PA

When working with individuals with a history of trauma and trauma symptoms, I start with a comprehensive assessment. I explain to the client that working through trauma can be difficult; however, I help them understand that the therapeutic process will go at their pace when they are ready. During the intake, I make sure that the client doesn't go too much into the details of the trauma in order to preserve a sense of containment and safety. I use primarily trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy approaches to help the client reprocess their traumatic memories to work toward desensitization. I like to give the analogy of watching a scary movie. During the first viewing, the movie is frightening. With each subsequent watch, the intensity of the movie diminishes. Providing psychoeducation regarding trauma is an important part of the process, as it helps the client better understand and normalize their experience of trauma and then take the emotional risks necessary to reprocess their trauma.

Some of the tools I introduce include:

• Mindfulness: Nonjudgmental awareness of trauma cues and trauma symptoms.
• Emotional regulation skills: These skills serve to help a client de-escalate after experiencing hyperarousal or an intense emotional response.
• Cognitive restructuring: This involves addressing and modifying unhelpful thoughts that contribute to a distressing experience.

I know a client is making meaningful progress when they are consistently meeting therapeutic goals and objectives. For trauma-related conditions, goals and objectives are usually based on trauma symptoms such as “re-experiencing,” hypervigilance, emotional reactivity, or fear/avoidance of certain situations.

Skill integration is an integral part of recovery. Practicing skills learned in session in real time helps a client more effectively manage and tolerate trauma symptoms.

To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, someone can take comfort in knowing that a trained trauma therapist will ease them into the process and allow the client to dictate the pace of trauma work.