Therapy for Trauma in St. Paul-Minneapolis

 

Online Counseling and In-Person Counseling to Heal from Trauma for Residents of Minnesota

Our brains have a natural way of making sense of difficult life experiences and healing after these situations create wounds. There are times when traumatic circumstances overwhelm these natural abilities and leave us suffering. In these situations, therapy can jumpstart the mind’s natural healing process, heal the wounds of trauma, and allow you to move forward into a more satisfying life. I’m Kathy Johnson, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who offers therapy to support individuals struggling to navigate trauma. At my St. Paul-Minneapolis counseling practice, Tarriance, I partner with individuals to accept, work through, and heal following traumatic experiences. 

 

Trauma, PTSD & Complex Trauma – What’s the Difference?

First and foremost, all trauma experiences are valid, and if you’re struggling to heal following trauma, therapy can help you. We only differentiate between the “types” of traumas to help individuals understand that traumatic experience is multifaceted and complex. Trauma is any experience that overwhelms the mind’s innate ability to process information, recover, and move forward. What one person may be able to process without becoming traumatized may traumatize another, and vice versa.  We are all unique individuals and it is no different when it comes to experiences of trauma.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a specific diagnosis assigned to some people who have experienced traumatic circumstances. Diagnosis with PTSD involves evaluating specific symptoms and determining the length of time a person has been struggling. You do not need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from therapy for trauma, but individuals with a PTSD diagnosis will almost always need to work with a therapist.

Complex trauma is rooted in difficult childhood experiences. This can be a result of abuse, violence, or neglect in the home, bullying at school, a medical condition, or a range of other obstacles. Adults who have unprocessed complex trauma can struggle in their relationships, and they often experience emotional disorders like anxiety or depression. Therapy can help the individual recognize the impact of childhood trauma and begin moving forward. 

 

Am I Struggling with Unhealed Trauma?

Trauma will impact every person differently, but you may be dealing with unhealed trauma if any of the following statements ring true to your experience: 

  • I am worried all the time. 

  • My worries limit where I am able to go, who I can interact with, and how I perceive the world around me. 

  • I safety plan before engaging in any activity. 

  • I’m constantly on high alert, looking for sources of potential danger. 

  • When I think about the traumatic event, I feel deeply guilty, embarrassed, or ashamed. 

  • I don’t want to spend time with my loved ones because they don’t understand my experience.

  • I try not to think about it, but thoughts of the traumatic experience are constantly popping into my head. 

  • I feel irritable and my emotions are out of control. 

  • I’m tired all the time, but I also struggle to fall asleep and nightmares make it hard to stay asleep. 

  • Sometimes, triggers make me feel like I’m right back in the middle of my traumatic experience. 

  • I have a hard time concentrating for very long on anything other than my traumatic experience. 

 

How Does Therapy Help with Trauma?

If you’ve experienced an overwhelming event and you are stuck in the trauma response, therapy allows your brain to resume its natural healing process. At Tarriance, I utilize a variety of therapy approaches to help individuals process and heal from trauma. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the therapy techniques I use regularly to support clients who are struggling after trauma. EMDR is an effective way to encourage the brain to resume its healing process without having to take on the difficult task of discussing the traumatic event in detail.

 

Get Started

Whether you’re interested in mental health counseling, life coaching, or cross-cultural consulting, you can receive the support and guidance you need at Tarriance. I’m here to support people who want to feel better, do better, and live better – whatever that looks like for you. When you’re ready to begin or you have questions that need answers, I’m here. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, Kathleen “Kathy” Johnson, a counselor serving St. Paul-Minneapolis residents. 

Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if counseling would be a good fit.