Avoidance of Situations that Remind You of the Event
Some life experiences can leave a deep and painful imprint on a person’s mind, which can affect their thoughts, emotions, and behavior. This is especially true when the event you experienced impacted your sense of safety, causing you to experience changes in behaviors or reactions to everyday stimuli. Traumatic experiences can lead to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which can cause various emotional and physical changes that have a profound impact on your life.
Symptoms of PTSD vary and can manifest physically, emotionally, or behaviorally. For instance, veterans might avoid crowded places that remind them of their wartime experiences, while a car accident survivor might have recurring nightmares about the incident. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step towards healing.
Physical Symptoms
Some physical symptoms of trauma include insomnia, fatigue, exhaustion, muscle tension, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pain.
Behavioral Symptoms
Behavioral symptoms include irritability, anger outbursts, agitation, avoidance behaviors, social withdrawal, or reckless behavior.
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional symptoms of trauma often include feelings of fear, guilt, depression, flashbacks, dissociation, guilt, or shame. Symptoms of anxiety are also present when people experience Trauma and PTSD. There are both mental and physical symptoms of anxiety.
What is Trauma & PTSD?
Trauma is an emotional response to an event or situation that leads to complicated feelings, including distress and a loss of security. Traumatic events can leave victims in shock or denial, and every person may experience these emotions differently. Some traumatic events can lead to a disorder called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD develops from a direct reaction to trauma, and it can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and unable to function in their day-to-day life. Overcoming PTSD is a complex process that requires knowledge of the inner workings of the mind and body. Manage your PTSD with our caring team at Heal Talk Therapy. We listen carefully to understand your background, triggers, and goals so you can better navigate your trauma responses and begin to heal.
Managing Trauma & PTSD
Learning to manage trauma and PTSD takes patience and determination. A Heal Talk Therapy counselor will help you explore various techniques to cope with your symptoms. With the help of an understanding counselor, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and navigate their path to recovery. Counseling provides a safe, supportive environment where individuals can express their feelings, explore coping strategies, and build resilience.
There are various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Exposure Therapy, to help individuals process trauma and reduce their PTSD symptoms. For example, in CBT, individuals learn to identify and challenge distressing thoughts, helping them change their reactions to traumatic memories. We will create an individualized treatment plan customized to your needs.
Get Control of Your Trauma & PTSD.
HEAL TALK THERAPY CAN HELP you:
Process Past Traumatic Experiences
Rebuild a Sense of Safety
Manage Flashbacks and Triggers
Reduce Anxiety Levels from PTSD
Develop Coping Strategies
Reconnect with Daily Life
Learn to Regulate Your Emotions
Restore Trust in Relationships
Reduce Negative Impact of Trauma
SELF-CARE for Trauma & PTSD
Practicing self-care and healthy habits daily can help reduce your symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Treatment + Self-Care leads to better outcomes. Our counselors can guide you in building healthy habits to support your physical and mental well-being.
Talk to a Counselor Today
Seeking help for trauma and PTSD is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows a commitment to reclaiming one’s life from the grip of trauma and restoring mental well-being. If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma or PTSD, remember that help is available. Healing from trauma and PTSD isn’t easy, but an experienced and welcoming therapist can provide the guidance you need to move forward after a life-changing event. With the right support, a healthier, balanced and more peaceful life is within reach.
Trauma can stem from a wide range of experiences, both sudden and ongoing. Life-altering events like car accidents, physical or sexual assault, combat, natural disasters or the unexpected loss of a loved one are common triggers. But trauma isn’t always tied to a single moment. It can also arise from persistent experiences, such as emotional neglect, bullying or growing up in an unsafe environment. Essentially, any event that shakes your sense of safety or security has the potential to leave a lasting impact. Understanding this can help shed light on the diverse and deeply personal nature of trauma.
Yes, trauma can impact you regardless of when it occurred; even events from childhood can affect your adult life. Trauma memories are often stored differently in the brain, which is why they can feel as intense today as they did when they first happened, continuing to influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Trauma responses typically fall into four categories: fight (anger, control), flight (staying busy, perfectionism), freeze (feeling stuck, numb) and fawn (people-pleasing, avoiding conflict). These responses are your nervous system’s way of trying to protect you, but they can become problematic when they continue long after the danger has passed.
No, you don’t have to share every detail of your traumatic experience to heal effectively. Many trauma therapies, like EMDR, focus on processing the emotional and physical responses to trauma rather than requiring you to retell the story repeatedly. Your therapist will work at a pace that feels safe for you.
While traumatic experiences remain part of your history, trauma absolutely can be healed to the point where it no longer controls your life. Many people go on to live fulfilling, peaceful lives after trauma therapy. With treatment, resilience, and support the memories lose their power so they no longer feel overwhelming. The goal is to keep trauma as a meaningful part of your past, not your present.
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If you’re looking for therapy in Oak Brook, I highly recommend Heal Talk Therapy. You’ll find not only skilled counselors, but also a warm space that truly prioritizes your well-being. I’ve known Dr. Eleni Malamis for many years, and she has always stood out for her hard work, kindness, and...
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Jill Vogel was my amazing therapist for the last few years who helped me turn my life around. She provided support in navigating a difficult situation in my own family and also helped my husband and I through incredibly difficult years with our family. She helped us navigate substance abuse,...
Sharon L.
I can’t articulate enough how life changing working with Jill V has been for me. I came to her after being diagnosed with a serious, high-risk neuromuscular disease that changed every facet of my life. I was struggling to remain employed in a high-pressure corporate setting and navigate this illness...
Virginia M.
Katie is an amazing therapist. Very professional and caters to your needs during your therapy session. She offers good advice and a listening ear. Highly recommend her!
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This is a truly outstanding mental health practice. The therapists are not only highly skilled but also deeply compassionate and committed to their clients' well-being. The environment is welcoming, supportive, and thoughtfully run, making it a great place for anyone seeking quality care.
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Katie is an amazing therapist! I have been seeing her for a few years now and will continue to.
Taylor S.
I worked with Jill Vogel for almost 3 years. She is fantastic! She met me exactly where I was and led me to grow in many ways over our time together. She was an engaged, caring listener and wise therapist somehow knowing how to ask the exact right question at...
Bonnie A.
I've had the pleasure of working alongside Dr. Malamis for many years and would highly recommend Heal Talk Therapy as this clinic possesses a team of highly competent, caring, and empathetic therapists. The clinicians do a phenomenal job utilizing evidence-based approaches as they tailor counseling goals with each client's individual...
Athena N.
Dr Eiliana Silva was the first female therapist I've ever had, and I look forward to seeing her whenever I can! She has helped me so much in learning how to cope with depression, anxiety, grieving, and so much more! She tells you straight forward what you need to do...
Chris S.
I’ve been a patient for Dr.Silva for almost a year now, and with her help she’s really changed me for the good. I was at a place where I felt I was at my breaking point but she brought me to steady grounds. Dr.Silva gives a lot of guidance, sympathy,...
Sydney T.
Dr Silva has surpassed my expectations for therapy. She’s amazing, empathetic, and to the point. She’s definitely changed my opinion on therapy and highly recommend her to anyone on the fence about therapy.
Lorena Z.
Jill is an amazing therapist. She is warm and understanding and she truly listens and tries to find options that work best for you. My personal improvement would not have been as successful and manageable without her!
Rachel H.
I highly recommend Jill Vogel, LCSW for anyone seeking therapy and support. Having been fortunate enough to work with her professionally the last few years, I’ve been able to witness how dedicated she is to her clients and how passionate she is about the mental health field. Therapy looks very...
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I highly recommend Jill Vogel to partner with you on your therapy journey! Jill has helped me gain so much insight both professionally in my own practice and on a personal level. She brings to the table years of diverse experience, knowledge and skills. Jill provides an emotionally safe environment...
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