Trauma therapy

Reclaim your experience and build lasting coping mechanisms

what is trauma therapy?

Trauma is clinically defined in two ways - “Large (T) Traumas” are defined as singular, unexpected events and/or experiences that are perceived as life threatening. “Small (t) traumas” are not life threatening, but are highly distressing personal events that overwhelm one’s ability to cope effectively. These are also referred to as “complex trauma” because they consist of layers of emotional suffering that occur over time. Crescent Counseling & Consulting utilizes evidence-based, trauma-trained practices including EMDR, CBT/DBT, and IFS Therapy (Parts Work) to help you heal from the symptoms and distress caused by traumatic or disturbing life experiences. Overcoming trauma is a complex and deeply personal journey, and it’s possible with the right support, resources, and recurring self care practices

WHAT IS a trauma therapy SESSION LIKE?

Healing and processing trauma can look different for everyone because everyone has different needs. During a trauma therapy session, you will meet with a trauma-trained therapist, who will partner with you to help you work to process your trauma - it is important to note that processing trauma often involves more than traditional talk therapy because it involves regulating the body. During session, this is something you and your therapist will work on together using evidence-based trauma-informed techniques - and, though you are working with your therapist, please remember you are always the one in control of your treatment.

Our Trauma Therapy services support individuals navigating experiences such as:

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Intrusive Memories or Flashbacks: Unwanted memories or images of the birth or medical experience that feel distressing or hard to control.

    • Emotional Distress When Reminded of the Experience: Feeling intense sadness, fear, anger, or panic when thinking about or discussing the birth or medical event.

    • Avoidance: Avoiding hospitals, medical settings, conversations about birth, or anything that serves as a reminder of the experience.

    • Hypervigilance About Body or Baby’s Safety: Feeling constantly on alert, scanning for signs that something may be wrong with your body or your baby.

    • Feelings of Guilt, Shame, or Failure: Struggling with self-blame or feeling like your body “failed you” or the birth did not go as expected.

    • Difficulty Bonding or Emotional Disconnection: Feeling emotionally distant from your baby, yourself, or the experience of becoming a parent.

    • Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or replaying the experience.

    • Physical Reactivity: Experiencing body-based responses such as tension, nausea, shaking, or a racing heart when reminded of the experience.

    • Heightened Anxiety Around Future Pregnancy or Medical Care: Feeling fear, dread, or avoidance when considering future pregnancies or medical appointments.

    • Feeling “Stuck” in the Experience: A sense that the birth or medical event continues to feel present, unresolved, or emotionally “unfinished.”

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Persistent Sadness: Feeling down, hopeless, or tearful without any obvious reason.

    • Loss of Interest: Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable or a disconnection from life.

    • Extreme Fatigue: Feeling overwhelmingly tired, even after adequate sleep or rest.

    • Irritability: Increased frustration, mood swings, or being easily angered or upset.

    • Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Excessive self-blame, guilt about not being a good parent, or feeling inadequate.

    • Difficulty Bonding with Baby: Trouble forming an emotional connection with the baby or feeling disconnected from them.

    • Appetite Changes: Either significant overeating or loss of appetite, often leading to weight changes.

    • Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.

    • Anxiety or Excessive Worry: Constant worry about the baby’s well-being or fear of not being able to care for them properly.

    • Physical Aches and Pains: Unexplained headaches, stomach issues, or other physical discomforts.

    • Lack of Concentration: Difficulty focusing, making decisions, or concentrating on daily tasks.

    • Feelings of Hopelessness: A sense of being overwhelmed and unsure about the future.

    • Withdrawal from Social Interactions: Avoiding friends, family, or support systems, and isolating oneself.

    • Low Self-Esteem: Feeling unworthy, self-critical, or like a failure as a parent.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Intrusive, Disturbing Thoughts: Repeated, unwanted thoughts about harm coming to the baby, self-harm, or fears of being a bad parent.

    • Excessive Worry: Constant anxiety about the safety and well-being of the baby, leading to constant checking or reassurance-seeking behaviors.

    • Compulsive Behaviors: Repeated actions, such as checking the baby’s breathing, ensuring things are "just right," or performing rituals to prevent harm.

    • Fear of Contamination: Extreme fear of germs or bacteria that could harm the baby, leading to excessive cleaning or avoidance of certain places or people.

    • Constant Checking: Repeatedly checking that baby gear, diapers, or the baby’s environment is safe or perfect, even if it’s unnecessary.

    • Perfectionism: The need for everything to be perfect, such as baby’s sleep routine, feeding schedule, or environment, to prevent harm.

    • Fear of Making Mistakes: Intense fear that any mistake in parenting or care will result in harm to the baby.

    • Mental Rituals: Engaging in mental actions (e.g., counting, praying, or repeating phrases) to "undo" harmful thoughts or prevent feared events.

    • Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to obsessive worries about the baby’s safety or well-being.

    • Avoidance of Certain Activities or Places: Avoiding situations or people that trigger obsessive thoughts, such as avoiding childcare tasks or public places.

    • Extreme Doubts: Constantly doubting one’s ability to care for the baby or make the “right” decisions for their safety and well-being.

    • Hyperfocus on Baby’s Health: Obsessive attention to every small sign of illness or discomfort in the baby, leading to constant monitoring.

    • Reassurance-Seeking: Frequently asking for reassurance from family members, friends, or healthcare providers about baby’s health or safety.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Flashbacks: Reliving the traumatic birth experience as if it’s happening again.

    • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the birth or pregnancy.

    • Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, distressing thoughts about the birth or traumatic events during pregnancy.

    • Hypervigilance: Constantly feeling on edge, anxious, or easily startled.

    • Emotional Numbness: Difficulty feeling connected to others or feeling emotionally detached.

    • Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders of the birth, such as doctors, hospitals, or birth-related discussions.

    • Panic Attacks: Sudden feelings of overwhelming fear or distress triggered by birth-related memories or situations.

    • Excessive Worry: Constant concern about future pregnancies, birth experiences, or the well-being of the baby.

    • Difficulty Bonding with Baby: Struggling to form an emotional connection with the newborn due to trauma-related feelings.

    • Flashbacks to Birth-Related Triggers: Becoming distressed by sounds, images, or sensations that remind you of the traumatic event.

    • Physical Symptoms: Unexplained physical reactions such as a racing heart, nausea, dizziness, or muscle tension in response to trauma triggers.

    • Avoiding Healthcare Providers: Fear or anxiety around medical professionals, especially those related to the birth.

    • Guilt or Shame: Feeling responsible for the traumatic experience or believing you should have done something differently.

    • Difficulty Trusting Others: Distrust in healthcare providers, loved ones, or even yourself due to the traumatic experience.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Flashbacks: Repeated, intrusive memories or reliving the traumatic birth experience.

    • Nightmares: Disturbing dreams related to the birth event.

    • Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind you of the traumatic birth.

    • Hypervigilance: Feeling on edge, constantly alert, or easily startled.

    • Panic Attacks: Sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort related to memories of the birth.

    • Emotional Numbness: Difficulty connecting emotionally with others or feeling detached.

    • Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, distressing thoughts about the birth experience.

    • Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or disinterest in daily activities.

    • Anxiety: Excessive worry, especially regarding future pregnancies, childbirth, or parenting.

    • Guilt or Shame: Feeling responsible for the traumatic birth or that something was wrong with how it was handled.

    • Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue related to emotional distress.

    • Difficulty Bonding with Baby: Struggling to connect with your child due to emotional barriers created by the trauma.

    • Relationship Strain: Tension or conflict with partners due to differing emotional reactions to the trauma.

    • Flashbacks or Reactions to Birth-Related Triggers: Becoming overwhelmed by certain sounds, sights, or places associated with the birth.

    • Feelings of Powerlessness: A sense of helplessness or lack of control during the birth process.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Intense Irritability: Sudden, extreme feelings of anger or frustration over minor issues or events.

    • Outbursts of Anger: Explosive reactions or yelling at others, often in response to stress or overwhelming emotions.

    • Impatience: Feeling easily annoyed or losing patience quickly with the baby, partner, or others around you.

    • Frequent Mood Swings: A sharp shift between feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration.

    • Feeling Out of Control: A sense of being unable to manage or contain anger, leading to a loss of emotional control.

    • Extreme Stress Response: Reacting to stressors (e.g., baby’s crying, lack of sleep) with disproportionate rage.

    • Guilt or Shame After Outbursts: Feeling deeply guilty or ashamed after losing your temper or having a rage episode.

    • Overwhelming Frustration: A heightened sense of being unable to meet the demands of parenting or personal responsibilities.

    • Physical Symptoms of Anger: Increased heart rate, tension in the body, clenching fists, or jaw during episodes of rage.

    • Hostility Toward Partner or Family: Irritability or anger directed toward loved ones, especially those offering support.

    • Uncontrollable Thoughts: Racing or obsessive thoughts about situations that make you angry or stressed.

    • Feeling Overwhelmed: Struggling to handle the emotional weight of new motherhood, leading to intense emotional reactions.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Difficulty Bonding with Baby: Struggling to form an emotional connection with the baby due to unresolved trauma from previous generations.

    • Heightened Anxiety: Excessive worry about the baby's health, safety, or future, often linked to generational fears and trauma.

    • Attachment Issues: Trouble establishing secure attachment with the baby, possibly due to past trauma in one’s family history.

    • Trust Issues: Difficulty trusting healthcare providers, family members, or the support system due to past relational trauma.

    • Emotional Numbness: Feeling disconnected, emotionally distant, or detached from the baby or surroundings.

    • Overwhelm and Stress: Feeling easily overwhelmed by the demands of parenting due to inherited stress responses.

    • Difficulty with Parenting Roles: Struggling with identity as a parent or repeating negative parenting patterns learned from previous generations.

    • Increased Risk of Depression or Anxiety: Experiencing heightened vulnerability to mental health issues like depression or anxiety due to unresolved generational trauma.

    • Hypervigilance: Constantly being on alert, feeling unsafe or threatened, even in situations where there is no immediate danger.

    • Feelings of Unworthiness: Low self-esteem or self-doubt rooted in past family dynamics or trauma.

    • Compulsive Behavior or Overcontrol: Overcontrolling behaviors in attempts to prevent perceived negative outcomes, driven by fear from past trauma.

    • Flashbacks or Intrusive Thoughts: Recurrent, unwanted memories of traumatic events experienced by previous generations, especially related to birth or childhood.

    • Difficulty Receiving Support: Hesitance or discomfort with accepting help from others, often due to fear of repeating past negative patterns or experiences.

    • Physical Symptoms of Trauma: Experiencing physical tension, chronic pain, or digestive issues related to unresolved emotional trauma from the past.

    • Fear of Repeating the Past: A strong fear of replicating harmful behaviors or family patterns from previous generations with one’s own child.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Intense Sadness: Persistent feelings of deep sorrow and mourning for the loss of the baby.

    • Shock or Numbness: Feeling emotionally detached or in disbelief about the loss.

    • Guilt: Blaming oneself for the loss or feeling responsible, even when there is no logical reason.

    • Anger: Experiencing frustration, resentment, or anger directed at oneself, others, or even the situation.

    • Loneliness or Isolation: Feeling disconnected from others or withdrawing from support networks due to the pain of the loss.

    • Physical Symptoms of Grief: Headaches, fatigue, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, or gastrointestinal issues.

    • Intrusive Thoughts: Repeatedly thinking about the loss, including what could have been done differently or imagining "what if" scenarios.

    • Difficulty Bonding with Future Pregnancies: Fear of becoming attached to a new pregnancy, leading to emotional distance from the unborn baby.

    • Lack of Motivation: Losing interest in daily activities or feeling unable to engage in life due to the heaviness of grief.

    • Yearning or Longing: A strong desire for the lost baby or feeling as though something essential is missing from life.

    • Helplessness or Hopelessness: Feeling as if life will never return to normal, or that the grief is insurmountable.

    • Regret or "What-If" Thinking: Obsessing over potential decisions or events leading up to the loss and wondering if anything could have been done differently.

    • Fear or Anxiety About Future Pregnancies: Worrying about experiencing the same loss again or fearing that future pregnancies may not be successful.

    • Difficulty with Everyday Tasks: Struggling to engage in normal daily activities, such as caring for oneself, managing household responsibilities, or working.

    • Difficulty Expressing Grief: Feeling unable to talk about or share the grief due to fear of being misunderstood or judged by others.

  • Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include the following:

    • Chronic Stress or Anxiety: Constant worry about fertility, conception, or the uncertainty of becoming pregnant.

    • Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of motivation due to ongoing fertility struggles.

    • Feelings of Inadequacy or Guilt: Self-blame or guilt over infertility, or feeling like a failure for not being able to conceive.

    • Isolation: Withdrawing from social events, friends, or family, especially those with children or who are pregnant.

    • Anger: Resentment or frustration toward oneself, partners, or others who easily conceive.

    • Mood Swings: Emotional rollercoaster from the stress of fertility treatments, failed cycles, or uncertainty.

    • Body Image Issues: Struggling with feelings of disappointment or distress related to changes in physical appearance or the inability to conceive naturally.

    • Overwhelming Disappointment: Grieving after failed attempts at conception, treatments, or miscarriages.

    • Sexual Dysfunction: Decreased libido or difficulty with intimacy due to the pressure of conception or fertility treatments.

    • Obsession with Fertility: Constantly thinking about ovulation, cycles, and fertility treatments to the point of obsession.

    • Coping with Miscarriage or Pregnancy Loss: Emotional distress or grief after experiencing miscarriage or pregnancy loss during fertility treatments.

    • Uncertainty about the Future: Fear of never being able to have a child, leading to feelings of hopelessness or uncertainty.

    • Relationship Strain: Tension or conflict between partners due to different emotional responses to fertility challenges or pressure surrounding the conception process.

    • Fatigue: Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, due to the demands of fertility treatments or ongoing cycles.

    • Loss of Control: Feeling overwhelmed by the lack of control over fertility outcomes or treatment success.

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