Be honest …
Have you been on edge since the distressing event? Do you find it difficult to fall asleep, despite feeling exhausted? It’s almost impossible to relax when you feel tense most of the time.
In your relationship, irritability is constant, and fights with your partner have increased. Even though they understand what you have been through, they are starting to become impatient and have asked you to seek professional help.
When worrying and overwhelming thoughts keep racing through your mind, it feels like you are just going through the motions.
Meanwhile, at work, it’s a struggle to focus and your productivity has declined. Getting through the days has become harder.
CBT therapy for trauma can help you identify all the ways trauma is influencing your life … and come up with ways to move past the past.
Sometimes, the marks your trauma story leaves behind are clear and visible. Other times, it’s hidden and unbeknownst to us. Sometimes we can easily understand our reactions, while others may be confused and taken aback by our emotions and behaviors.
Trauma can leave a distinctive mark and affect you in surprising ways.
CBT therapy can help you learn to take charge and write the ending of your trauma story. It is possible to find meaning and joy in life after living through a traumatic experience. Reach out today to learn more.
Reach out and schedule a phone consult to see if we are a match.
Ready to begin the next chapter of your life?
Despite living through a distressing event, you can learn to regain hope and joy. Therapy with a trauma therapist in Port Jefferson will provide you with strategies to successfully manage the impact that trauma has had on your life.
It’s possible to have a good life and to be happy, even if bad things happen to you.
Imagine confronting your fears, changing your emotions, and tackling those worrying thoughts. Together we can write a story about resilience, change, and optimism about the future. You can have the life that you want and deserve. Reach out now to find out more.
If you struggle to feel safe in your relationships, you are not alone. How can you let your guard down when you keep expecting others to disappoint you? You’ve learned the hard way that you can only rely on yourself. You end up dealing with stress alone, but it becomes too much and you feel overwhelmed.
You want to share the load with someone, but asking for help is hard. The thought of being vulnerable gives you the chills. Your fears have made you guarded, and keeping your distance is safer.
You can have close and meaningful connections with others, even if you’ve been hurt before and had bad experiences in the past.
Trauma counseling in Port Jefferson, New York, can help you learn to trust again and feel safe. Imagine getting the support that you need, sharing some of the load, and being accepted for who you are.
Instead of waiting for the next shoe to drop, reach out today and schedule an appointment. You no longer need to navigate this world alone and in fear. Therapy can help you feel safe, relaxed, and content with your life.
It’s not uncommon for people to feel shame and/or guilt after living through a traumatic event. Questions like, “Was it my fault? “Am I being punished for something that I did?” “Could I have stopped it from happening?” often arises after the incident.
Without realizing, they may take blame for what happened to them in their efforts to understand the incident(s). Sometimes the stories they tell themselves end up impacting their lives long after the tragic event took place.
When you can release the negativity associated with your past, that’s when you start to feel optimistic about your future again.
Imagine if your trauma story didn’t involve guilt, shame, or bad thoughts about yourself, others, and the world. It is possible to regain the life you had before experiencing a traumatic event.
As an expert trauma therapist in Port Jefferson, I offers compassionate CBT therapy for trauma, which can help you learn to manage triggers and react differently when stressed. Reach out to learn more about coping with trauma.
You don't need to overwork yourself, there is a better way to cope with trauma.
You may not be aware of the pattern, but many successful people bury their heads in work as a coping mechanism for their trauma or feelings of inadequacy. It’s easy to hide from trauma by setting up high standards are constantly thinking about your next goal.
But attaining success feels like a temporary fix. The feeling of joy and satisfaction is short-lived, and before you know it, you’re onto the next project. This leaves an empty feeling like your achievements are never good enough, and you always seek to accomplish more.
You can hold onto your drive, ambition, and determination without compromising your health or emotional well-being.
It is possible to have a thriving career while also balancing your life. Trauma counseling in Port Jefferson can help you discover your strengths and interests outside of work. This is particularly important because the constant pursuit of success can eventually lead to burnout.
Using a mix of talk therapy, skill development, and action-oriented exercises, we will unlock your true potential. Reach out today to learn more.
When you find the courage to face your trauma, you become stronger and more resilient.
Imagine walking next to a construction site and being startled by a loud bang. All of the sudden, your heart starts to race, your hands tremble, and you become nervous and tense. This reaction happens fast and without warning.
Because it catches you off guard, you have no idea what just happened. You are flooded with negative emotions and unable to cope with your feelings. Later, you realize that the loud noise reminded you of the sound your car made during the accident that almost cost your life.
BEFORE CBT – The example above illustrates how trauma can impact someone’s life. The bang triggered memories and emotions related to the distressing event. A loud noise is no longer a “loud noise,” it became a reminder (or trigger) of the tragic incident that changed your life. The loud noise was interpreted as a threat and prompted a freeze, fight and flight response.
AFTER CBT – You can learn to recognize your triggers right away and bring down emotions faster when using CBT skills. You can do that by changing your body’s response to emotions. You will also develop a balanced and realistic mindset.
Learn to gain a greater sense of control and calm
In CBT, you will learn to leave the past behind and feel optimistic about your future. In addition, you can work on finding meaning in your distressing experiences and regain hope and a sense of purpose.
Develop strategies to change your body’s response to trauma
In CBT you will learn to bring your guard down, feel safe, and develop strategies to change your body’s reaction to trauma and intense emotions. These techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, paced breathing, and mindfulness.
Embrace your fears
Exposure therapy within CBT is an effective way to treat trauma symptoms. It consists of a gradual exposure to memories and situations associated with trauma. The goal is to help desensitize the intensity of emotions and create feelings of safety and sense of control over your environment.
Trauma tends to leave you feeling on edge and tense. The 4-7-8 Breathing technique is an exercise that focuses on controlled breathing to induce a state of calmness and relaxation. Use this exercise whenever you are feeling stressed. It’s a quick and effective way to create a temporary sense of calm.
This breathing exercise engages the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the impact of stress on the body.
Repeat the cycle for a few rounds, gradually increasing the duration if comfortable. Remember, while this exercise can be beneficial, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance and personalized strategies if you are dealing with trauma. Call (613)-496-2383 today and make an appointment.
You have full control of the process and can go at your own pace and comfort level.
In treating trauma, I focus on your individual story and experiences, understanding that personal connection is essential for effective therapy. By blending CBT with elements from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Therapy, and Mindfulness practices, my approach is tailored to your specific needs, concerns, and goals.
I offer a therapy space that is warm, non-judgmental, and accepting—a safe haven for you to share and navigate through your traumatic experiences openly.
Committed to continuous learning in the field of trauma therapy, I ensure that our sessions incorporate the most current and compassionate practices, supporting your journey toward healing and resilience. Reach out today to book a free 15-minute phone consult.
Trauma therapy is a specialized type of counseling aimed at helping individuals heal from the deep wounds of complex trauma. It involves techniques designed to increase distress tolerance and address the root causes of severe trauma, empowering you to reclaim your sense of self and move forward.
Complex trauma disrupts our lives, leaving us struggling with emotional and physical responses that can overwhelm our distress tolerance. It’s a heavy burden that alters how we see the world and ourselves.
A trauma therapist in Port Jefferson specializes in addressing the unique challenges presented by traumatic experiences, such as physical abuse and symptoms of PTSD. They possess advanced training in mental health counseling, focusing on the intricate relationship between emotional and physical aspects of trauma, unlike general therapists who might not have specialized expertise in counseling individuals with complex trauma histories.
Individuals who’ve experienced a traumatic life event often encounter a range of symptoms including difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, being overly tired, a racing heartbeat, aches and pains, and muscle tension. These signs indicate the body and mind’s reaction to past trauma, underlining the importance of seeking professional help.
In the fast-paced life of Port Jefferson, NY, it’s easy for the signs of trauma to be overlooked or dismissed, leading to untreated trauma that can significantly deteriorate one’s quality of life. Without proper intervention, individuals may struggle in silence, exacerbating the mental and emotional toll.
In Port Jefferson, a variety of trauma therapy options are available, each with a tailored treatment plan aimed at facilitating trauma recovery. Therapists are committed to helping individuals navigate their healing journey with compassion and expertise.
Effective treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Attachment Therapy are utilized to confront and process traumatic memories, fostering a pathway to recovery.
Healing from trauma is a deeply personal process, often beginning with a phone consultation to assess your needs and outline a journey toward recovery that respects your pace and resilience.
Finding the right trauma therapist in Port Jefferson, Long Island, NYC, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, and across New York State involves understanding your symptoms of trauma and seeking out therapists who specialize in the treatment of trauma, including trauma and PTSD. It’s about finding someone who can help you regain control over your life, enhance your emotional well-being, and support your healing journey, even if you’re dealing with conditions like bipolar disorder.
For severe trauma, therapies that address the root causes and provide strategies for coping with emotional distress, such as CBT therapy, are considered highly effective, promoting healing and growth.
Trauma therapy offers a chance to navigate through emotional distress, leveraging approaches like CBT therapy to foster significant healing and growth, ultimately guiding individuals towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.
I certainly believe the answer is yes! Embarking on trauma therapy represents a courageous step towards reclaiming your life, proving its worth through every story of resilience and recovery.
The success of trauma therapy, achieved through creating a safe space and employing highly effective treatments, reflects the profound potential for individuals to overcome deeply distressing experiences and rebuild their lives with renewed strength.
Mission
To create a safe and nurturing space where you feel valued, accepted, and empowered.
Values
Your story matters and your strengths are honored. In therapy, you can expect empathy, respect, trust, and collaboration.
Approach
An integrative fusion of CBT and other evidence-based therapeutic interventions including DBT, Attachment-Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Reach Out
Vanessa Gomes, PhD
New York Licensed Psychologist
Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician
Please note — The only insurance I accept is Aetna and my rate is $250/session.
