- Have you experienced something so painful that it’s left you feeling like the world just isn’t safe?
- Do you struggle with anxiety, fear, anger issues, or intrusive thoughts that constantly keep you on guard?
Perhaps you’re hoping trauma therapy can help you navigate a difficult transition that’s awakening intense memories of something painful from your childhood or past relationships.
Or maybe you’re a high-achieving professional with some old wounds, and although you’d like to level up, that lifelong companion, self-doubt, keeps holding you back.
Are You At The Mercy Of Your Own Thoughts?
In fact, Adverse Childhood Experiences are huge indicators of trauma and PTSD, affecting more than two-thirds of the population. ACEs can involve things like exposure to bullying or abuse, addiction, or mental health issues in the household, as well as parents or caregivers who were unreliable, angry, or volatile.
Similarly, trauma often stems from unmet childhood needs, such as a lack of affirmation, praise, consistency, or safety and security from caregivers. However, because most people are unaware of the impact of these early experiences, they simply accept life as it is and overlook the potential of trauma treatment.
Similarly, trauma often stems from unmet childhood needs, such as a lack of affirmation, praise, consistency, or safety and security from caregivers. However, because most people are unaware of the impact of these early experiences, they simply accept life as it is and overlook the potential of trauma treatment.
For Many, Trauma Develops Its Roots Early In Life
Most folks simply don’t have the tools they need—education, psychological insight, and adequate coping skills—to overcome trauma on their own. In fact, anyone who has experienced trauma, especially early in life, will develop survival strategies for navigating their surroundings that they ultimately turn to as adults.
However, rather than helping us, those early-developed strategies that worked then don’t always work now. In fact, they often end up doing more harm than good, disrupting everything from romantic relationships to professional ambitions. It’s like trying to fix something with a wrench when you really need a hammer.
When you work with a trauma/PTSD counselor, you’re making sure that you have the tools, the know-how, and the support needed to recover and gain traction in your life. You’ve almost got it—you know what you need to do—you just need the right tools and someone to hold the light.
However, rather than helping us, those early-developed strategies that worked then don’t always work now. In fact, they often end up doing more harm than good, disrupting everything from romantic relationships to professional ambitions. It’s like trying to fix something with a wrench when you really need a hammer.
When you work with a trauma/PTSD counselor, you’re making sure that you have the tools, the know-how, and the support needed to recover and gain traction in your life. You’ve almost got it—you know what you need to do—you just need the right tools and someone to hold the light.
Why Is Trauma Recovery So Difficult Without Therapy?
Trauma Therapy Can Bear The Weight Of Your Worst Pain And Fears
Like many of the high-achievers, creatives, and professionals I see, you’ve probably tried to work through trauma on your own only to discover that knowledge just isn’t the same as treatment. Maybe something is holding you back from reaching out—a sense of self-reliance, an intellectual desire to put this puzzle together on your own, or a fear of what therapy will reveal.
Whatever your reservations, trauma/PTSD counseling offers you a chance to express out loud everything you fear saying to anyone else. So, if you worry that you’ll be rejected, shamed, or judged for your experience, just know that whatever you bring to therapy, I can take it. The good, the bad, the ugly, and in between—I’ll meet it all with compassion and respect.
Message Received
I like to look at myself as a guide, someone who will walk with you through the confusion and uncertainty, offering clarity and direction when needed. I’ll start with a thorough intake, asking specific questions designed to help us navigate the terrain ahead.
Depending on the situation, I might do an assessment for ACEs and explore things like your upbringing, your relationship history, and any current challenges you’re facing. I love teaching people about trauma in therapy and its effects on the brain and the body, including how it can express itself as self-doubt, perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, and chronic relationship problems.
To illustrate points and deepen understanding, I often use handouts, videos, and case studies. I emphasize working from a strengths-based perspective that puts you in touch with your natural ability to act as your own compass.
Depending on the situation, I might do an assessment for ACEs and explore things like your upbringing, your relationship history, and any current challenges you’re facing. I love teaching people about trauma in therapy and its effects on the brain and the body, including how it can express itself as self-doubt, perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, and chronic relationship problems.
To illustrate points and deepen understanding, I often use handouts, videos, and case studies. I emphasize working from a strengths-based perspective that puts you in touch with your natural ability to act as your own compass.
How Do I Approach The Trauma Treatment Process?
In trauma therapy, I work from a Psychodynamic orientation, which looks at our beginnings: our caregivers, early relationships, and how your needs were met in your developmental years. I also focus on examining intrinsic coping strategies developed in early years and how those things are playing out today. To do that, I draw from several trauma/PTSD treatment strategies:
- Polyvagal Theory recognizes how our nervous systems are intrinsically attuned to our environment and, in doing so, enables us to respond to threats and survive. Also, you’ll learn how to bring your nervous systems back into balance so you don’t stay stuck in survival mode.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for trauma is based on the idea that we don’t have to be the victim of our own thoughts. Instead, we can explore our personal narratives, examine how they affect us, and become the sole authors of our life story moving forward.
- Attachment Theory examines how—as with all mammals—humans are designed to form relationship bonds and live in groups for our basic survival. It acknowledges that we all bring aspects of our past into current relationships, including unmet relationship needs, faulty coping skills, and problematic behavioral patterns. So, it’s crucial to understand our own dynamics and what we can do to build healthier relationships.
- Anger Management focuses on acquiring new coping skills for managing anger, developing greater self-control, and learning how to consciously respond to stressors. More importantly, it’s about understanding where our anger comes from, identifying unmet needs and flashpoints, and learning how to navigate moments of overwhelm so we don’t act like monsters when we're upset.
Some Of The Approaches I Use In Trauma Counseling
What if I told you that I don't think there's something wrong with you? What if, when you were most vulnerable, you simply weren’t given what you needed to handle your experience? What if I told you that it’s okay to say “No” without guilt...or fear of losing a relationship? What if I told you that you don't have to be held captive by your own intrusive thoughts?" Maybe…you owe it to yourself to find out.
Build The Life You’ve Always Imagined
Message Received
Still Have Questions Or Concerns About Trauma Therapy?
I’m really sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. Did you know that even with all the newest treatment approaches of late, the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is often the single most important factor in therapy?
All the advanced degrees and trendy therapeutic approaches cannot replace the value of working well with someone—and you deserve that, which is why we’ll assess to make sure we’re a good fit. If you don’t think we are, I’ll be happy to find a referral for you at no cost to you.
All the advanced degrees and trendy therapeutic approaches cannot replace the value of working well with someone—and you deserve that, which is why we’ll assess to make sure we’re a good fit. If you don’t think we are, I’ll be happy to find a referral for you at no cost to you.
I once had a disappointing experience with another trauma/PTSD therapist.
Truthfully, a lot of people don’t even know they struggle with trauma or PTSD. To them, their symptoms are just a quirky personality trait. Their childhood was normal, or their experience with trauma “wasn’t as bad as what other people go through.”
But if it seems like life is just harder for you, if it seems like the world is an inherently dangerous place, if it feels like something awful lurks around each corner, it’s worth finding out what’s going on.
But if it seems like life is just harder for you, if it seems like the world is an inherently dangerous place, if it feels like something awful lurks around each corner, it’s worth finding out what’s going on.
How do I know if I could benefit from trauma treatment?
I don't believe in BS'ing clients: As we dive into what's at the root of your symptoms, you may feel some initial discomfort. Sometimes, uncovering the origins of trauma in therapy reveals larger, more complex wounds than predicted. That may give you pause, and that's all right; It's important to know what to expect.
What’s more important is knowing you’ll be equipped to deal with any surprises. After all, you couldn’t have made it this far unless you were a true survivor. That means you possess the strength, courage, and resilience needed not only to heal, but also to thrive. Plus, I’ll always conduct our sessions at a pace that feels safe for you, checking in regularly to ensure you’re okay every step of the way.
What’s more important is knowing you’ll be equipped to deal with any surprises. After all, you couldn’t have made it this far unless you were a true survivor. That means you possess the strength, courage, and resilience needed not only to heal, but also to thrive. Plus, I’ll always conduct our sessions at a pace that feels safe for you, checking in regularly to ensure you’re okay every step of the way.
How deeply will we be exploring my trauma in therapy?
Message Received
If you’re ready to discover your strengths, heal your wounds, and rediscover your sense of vitality, trauma counseling can help. Please use the contact button below to set up your free, 15-minute consultation and retake control of your life. You can also call or text me at 843-380-9949.
Michèle M. Vincent, LCSW, offers online and in-person trauma counseling in Mt. Pleasant and throughout South Carolina as well as virtual services for clients in Colorado.
Michèle M. Vincent, LCSW, offers online and in-person trauma counseling in Mt. Pleasant and throughout South Carolina as well as virtual services for clients in Colorado.
You Don’t Have To Be The Victim Of Your Own Thoughts
