River Grove Therapy Alexandria
107 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Trauma & PTSD Therapy
The word “trauma” literally means wound, shock, or injury. Psychological trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an event that overwhelms the capacity to emotionally digest it. The precipitating event may be a one-time occurrence or a series of occurrences perceived as seriously harmful or life-threatening to oneself or loved ones. People process experiences differently, and not everyone has the same reaction to any event; what one person experiences as trauma may not cause distress for another.
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Traumatic experiences undermine a person's sense of safety in the world and create a sense that catastrophe could strike at any time. Parental loss in childhood, motor vehicle accidents, physical violence, sexual assault, military combat experiences, earthquakes, the unexpected loss of a loved one—any sudden, violent disruption—are events that can lead to trauma. People typically replay the experience in their mind over and over and continually think about what happened. The experience leads to changes in brain function marked by a hypersensitivity to threats.
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Children as well as adults are susceptible to trauma. Shock, fear, anger, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of helplessness are common features of the immediate trauma response. Children may suddenly develop behavioral problems and exhibit clinginess. However, the effects usually abate over time, and the vast majority of people recover from trauma. Active coping skills and strong social support are important in mitigating symptoms and preventing the longer-term effects of trauma on mental health. It is estimated that only 3 percent to 10 percent of people who undergo a traumatic experience have persistent mental health difficulties known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
At River Grove Therapy, our clinicians are trauma-informed and consistently engaging in ongoing professional development and education to provide the best care possible for you as a client. We are life-long learners who are dedicated to helping others heal.
Our therapists are trained/certified in EMDR, DBT, Complex Trauma/Dissociation, Ego State therapy/parts/Internal Family Systems and other methodologies to meet your individualized therapy needs.
Therapy for trauma is an individualized experience that will look different for everyone- and at River Grove Therapy, we want to help you to feel better in your world and in your Self. It is possible to feel better and to heal. We'd be honored to walk with you on your path to healing and resiliency.
