Trauma Therapy
If you're wondering whether you might be affected by trauma, consider the following questions:
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Have you experienced a distressing or traumatic event?
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Do you have nightmares or night terrors?
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Do you feel more irritable or emotionally numb than before?
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Are you avoiding people or places that remind you of the event?
If you have experienced or witnessed something dangerous, terrifying or shocking you are now having physical or emotional reactions that get in the way of you living your life, you may be struggling with a trauma related disorder.
What are trauma and stress related disorders?
Not all people that experiences a traumatic or stressful events will develop a mental health disorder. For some, the emotional or physical symptoms persist and interfere with their ability to live a fulfilling life. Below are some common trauma related diagnoses:
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Adjustment Disorder: Emotional or behavioral symptoms that start within 3 months of the stressful event.
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​Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms start within 3 days and last up to 1 month.
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​Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): symptoms last past one month and interfere with daily life.
Children may also develop trauma-related conditions such as Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).
Initially, strong emotional reactions are common after trauma, such as anxiety, sadness, confusion, tiredness, feeling out of place, feeling numb or emotionless and feeling physically keyed up. These symptoms usually subside with time away from the event. If these symptoms persist and interfere with daily functioning, professional support can help
Since not everyone develops a disorder, there are some factors that can make you more likely to have mental health concerns following a traumatic event.
Risk factors:
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Previous trauma, especially in childhood
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Limited social support
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A family history of mental health and substance use issues
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Ongoing stress or recent major life changes​
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Protective factors:
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Supportive relationships
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Using healthy coping skills
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Willingness to face and process difficult events
Those who experience a traumatic or stressful event may not necessarily struggle from a trauma related disorder and may struggle with other mental health conditions. It is important, if you feel that your symptoms are getting in the way of your daily activities, to see a professional who can help you understand the extent of your difficulties and formulate a plan for relief as there are many successful treatments for trauma and stress related disorders.
There is help!
You do not need to live with the difficulties of trauma symptoms. Many people find relief though therapy, skill-building and sometimes medication. You do not have to navigate this alone as there are proven strategies and professionals ready to support you.
Evidence-Based Treatment
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns.
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Exposure Therapy: Gradual and supported exposure to trauma-related memories or triggers.
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Trauma focused CBT: Often used with children, integrating trauma processing with skill-building.
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Prolonged exposure therapy and EMDR: Proven approaches to reduce distress and reprocess trauma.
What to expect in trauma treatment with an Evermore Wellness provider
​A Supportive start
Seeking help is a courageous first step. At Evermore Wellness, we recognize that every person's trauma experience is unique. We partner with you to create a plan that feels safe, supportive and tailored to your wellness goals.
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Collaborative goal setting
In therapy, you will set goals that matter to you such as better sleep, stabilizing your emotions or rebuilding trust in relationships. These goals guide your wellness journey.
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What therapy might feel like
Trauma therapy can stir up strong emotions. This is normal and expected. Avoidance is a common symptom of trauma, and facing painful memories takes time and support. Your therapist will move at your pace, adjusting along the way.
A collaborative and flexible approach
Our approach is flexible. If something in therapy does not feel helpful, your provider will adjust your treatment. We welcome your feedback as healing is not one-size-fits-all.
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Expertise you can trust
Our clinicians are trained in multiple trauma treatment approaches and regularly pursue continuing education to stay current with best practices. We match your needs with the most effective strategies and keep adjusting based on your progress.
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If you ever need a change
If you ever feel your needs might be better met by a different therapist, we are here to support that transition without judgment. Your wellbeing is always our primary goal.
What about medication?
Many people wonder whether medication is necessary to heal from trauma and the answer depends on your unique needs. If you feel unsure about taking medication, you are not alone. It is okay to have questions or even have mixed feelings. Medication is not a cure-all, but for some, it can help reduce some of the distressing symptoms. Your provider can help you explore whether medication might support your healing process.
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Medication can ease the symptoms but does not replace the deeper work of understanding your trauma, changing unhelpful thought patterns or building coping skills. At times, many people find a combination of medication and psychotherapy offers the best results. In New Jersey, medication is typically prescribed by a psychiatrist, primary care physician or a nurse practitioner. If needed, we can refer you to trusted prescribers and collaborate with them on your care. Whether you choose medication or not, we are here to support your journey and create a treatment approach that works best for your needs.