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    Trauma | Grief and Loss | Sexual Abuse

    Helping Adults Navigate Trauma and Stress

    Most people will experience severe stress or trauma during their lifetime. It may come from any type of negative experience.

    Negative Experiences

    • Abuse and/or neglect
    • Sexual harassment or assault
    • Bullying or harmful school experience
    • Struggles with sexual orientation or identity
    • Sudden injury or medical diagnosis
    • Injury or death of a loved one
    • War or military experience
    • Divorce or breakup
    • Car Accident
    • Violent crime
    • Natural disaster
    • Or any other negative experience

    Sometimes we can navigate stress and trauma on our own, but there are times we need the guidance of a therapist to deal with the emotional pain, fear, confusion, and lingering effects of the event.

    We have specialized therapists who can work with you. Call us.

    Symptoms of Severe Stress and Trauma

    • Avoidance
      • Avoiding reminders of the event (sights, sounds, smells, locations, situations, people)
    • Re-experiencing symptoms
      • Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks
    • Hyperarousal symptoms
      • Irritability or feeling on alert
      • Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
      • Aggressive or reckless behavior including self-harm
    • Negative mood/cognition
      • Loss of interest in doing things that were once enjoyable
      • Difficulty remembering details from the stressful event
      • Changes in habits or behaviors since the event
      • Experiencing numbness, guilt, or shame
      • Anxiety, depression

    Developing Purpose from your Stress and Trauma

    When stress and trauma impact your ability to experience joy and growth, we can help you move forward without the negative impacts from your past. Dr. Tentis’ therapeutic models on trauma include:

    • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) – ART is an evidenced-based therapy that uses eye movements, imagery, and guidance to help your brain better process and store traumatic memories. When these are processed and stored differently, they no longer trigger negative physical and emotional reactions. Using a series of relaxing eye movements, you will move beyond your stuck points towards growth and positive change. You are in complete control during these sessions, and you don’t even need to talk about your stressful or traumatic experiences to achieve recovery. A randomized study of ART, when used for PTSD, found a 70% reduction in PTSD symptoms. Similar outcomes have been found when using this therapy for other problems.
    • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Based Therapy (TF-CBT) – TF-CBT is an intervention strategy that typically lasts 8-16 sessions. This therapy addresses the mental health needs of adult survivors who are struggling to overcome the destructive effects of early trauma. CBT techniques are used so you can better understand your negative or distorted thinking patterns and behaviors. You will be encouraged to share your feelings, while learning skills to better manage your symptoms and emotions.
    • Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) – PE is an intervention strategy that typically lasts 60-120 minutes over the course of 8-16 sessions. With my help, you will gradually approach your trauma-related memories and feelings. Most people want to avoid anything that reminds them of their stressors or trauma, which often just reinforces their fear. By facing what you have feared, you can decrease negative symptoms by learning that these memories and cues are often not dangerous and do not need to be avoided.
    • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – CPT is a specific type of cognitive-based therapy developed by psychologists at the Department of Veteran Affairs to help people struggling with traumatic events. It is typically delivered over 12 sessions, and you will have out-of-session homework. By writing an impact statement detailing the stressor or traumatic event and the impact it has had on your beliefs about yourself and how you see others and the world, we can formally process your experience and modify your unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. This evidence-based therapy has been shown to significantly improve overall functioning and quality-of-life.

    We have specialized therapists who can work with you. We offer a safe and private space for you to feel understood, non-judged, and taken care of. Call us.