Understanding Trauma and PTSD
While a traumatic event can leave a lasting impact on your mental and emotional well-being, you can take the first step toward recovery by learning how to identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD and Trauma?
Trauma refers to the emotional response someone has to a distressing event. While many people experience some emotional distress after a difficult event, PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying or life-threatening event. Without intervention or therapy, PTSD and trauma can cause a range of symptoms that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD and Trauma
PTSD and trauma can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals differently. Additionally, the common signs and symptoms can be categorised into four key areas:
Emotional Signs:
• Anxiety and fear
• Depression and sadness
• Irritability and anger
• Guilt and shame
• Feeling emotionally numb
Physical Signs:
• Disturbed sleep (insomnia or nightmares)
• Fatigue and low energy
• Muscle tension and headaches
• Increased heart rate and sweating
• Gastrointestinal problems
Cognitive Signs:
• Intrusive thoughts and memories
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Negative thoughts and beliefs
• Feeling detached from reality
Behavioural Signs:
• Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
• Social isolation and withdrawal
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Increased substance use
• Self-destructive behaviours
PTSD and Trauma Types
Trauma and PTSD can stem from various experiences, and their common types are:
• Complex PTSD: This results from prolonged or repeated trauma, often experienced in childhood. What’s more, it can involve difficulties with emotional regulation, relationships, and sense of self.
• Dissociative PTSD: This type includes dissociative symptoms, such as feeling disconnected from oneself or having gaps in memory.
• Birth Trauma: This can occur due to traumatic childbirth experiences for both the mother and the baby.
• Vicarious Trauma: This can affect individuals who are regularly exposed to others' traumatic experiences. Additionally, those working in the emergency response and mental health counselling fields are commonly the ones who experience secondary trauma.
What is PTSD Therapy?
PTSD therapy can help you regain a sense of control over their lives. The primary approach is talk therapy, or psychotherapy, which helps you learn how to manage your emotional responses, develop healthier thought patterns, and build coping strategies for potential symptom recurrence. Therapy also addresses related mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use, providing a comprehensive approach to potentially addressing traumatic experiences.
How Therapy For PTSD & Trauma Works
PTSD and trauma therapy follow a structured process designed to help you understand your experiences, manage symptoms, and work toward recovery. The therapy process typically involves an initial assessment, personalised planning, ongoing counselling sessions, and continuous support.
Initial Consultation – Understanding Trauma & Symptoms
The process begins with an initial consultation, where a therapist assesses the individual's experiences, symptoms, and emotional challenges. This session helps identify specific trauma-related triggers, coping mechanisms, and any co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Goal Setting & Treatment Planning
Based on the assessment, the therapist works closely with you to develop a structured plan. This plan outlines specific therapy goals, such as reducing flashbacks, managing anxiety, or improving daily functioning.
Ongoing Therapy Sessions – Implementing Strategies
Regular therapy sessions focus on processing traumatic experiences, learning coping strategies, and addressing negative thought patterns. Your therapist may also incorporate various evidence-based approaches that could address your condition. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, and Multichannel Eye Movement Integration (MEMI). The therapist provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to work through their trauma at a comfortable pace.
Follow-Up & Long-Term Support
Addressing trauma is an ongoing journey, and follow-up sessions ensure continued progress. The therapist monitors improvements, adjusts strategies if needed, and offers tools for long-term resilience. These sessions also provide support in managing potential symptom recurrence and reinforcing positive coping mechanisms.
Seeking Help to Address Trauma and PTSD
Seeking professional help is essential if you've identified potential signs or causes of PTSD and trauma. Besides, early intervention through PTSD counselling can help you address concerns that also allow you to avoid long-term complications.
At Care Alliance Counselling, our therapists can provide trauma-informed care with a holistic and compassionate approach. And because we understand the deep impact trauma can have, we're dedicated to guiding you towards recovery.
Aside from talk therapy, we also incorporate other evidence-based approaches to help address your trauma. These approaches include the following:
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
A therapeutic technique that helps individuals process traumatic memories by guiding their eye movements in a specific pattern.
Multichannel Eye Movement Integration (MEMI)
A trauma-focused therapy that uses multidirectional eye movements and memory reconsolidation techniques to integrate and reprocess traumatic memories.
Brainspotting
A therapeutic method that identifies and targets unprocessed trauma stored in the brain and body.
Our Therapists & Counsellors
Our team of therapists provides support for individuals navigating mental health challenges, including trauma and PTSD. With experience in various therapeutic approaches, we tailor each session to address the specific needs and circumstances of every client.
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What Our Clients Say
I’ve been seeing Grace for the past 5 years and she has helped me so much with processing trauma / difficult events and learning good emotional regulation skills. She always makes me feel heard and understood, and I feel a genuine care from her about my progress and issues. The skills she has taught me and the advice she gives are always relevant and helpful. Her office is also a comfortable and peaceful environment, and I look forward to my sessions.
Grace has been a joy to work with. I used to think that therapy would be daunting, but with Grace's expertise and guidance, the healing journey has rewarding one.
Thank you for helping me learn more about myself in the process while undoing my past baggages.
Grace has been helping me for some time now and I first reached out when I was really struggling with my mental health. She is incredibly patient, kind, understanding and has a high level of empathy. I feel a lot better as a result of weekly sessions and am very grateful for her advice and professional guidance. I highly recommend her for anyone looking for a therapist focused on trauma and other personal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for PTSD and Trauma
Does counselling work for PTSD?
Yes, counselling could be beneficial for those with PTSD. It gives them a safe space to process traumatic experiences, manage distressing symptoms, and develop coping strategies. Counselling also addresses co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression, improving overall well-being. While the process varies for each person, consistent therapy can help address PTSD symptoms, potentially improving emotional regulation and enhancing daily functioning.
What is the ideal therapy for PTSD?
The ideal therapy for PTSD depends on the individual's symptoms and trauma history. At Care Alliance Counselling, we use evidence-based approaches tailored to each person's needs. Our therapeutic methods include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Multichannel Eye Movement Integration (MEMI), and Brainspotting, all designed to help process trauma and potentially reduce its impact.
Can someone with PTSD have a normal life?
Yes, individuals with PTSD could lead fulfilling and meaningful lives with proper support. Therapy helps manage symptoms, potentially improve emotional resilience, and learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms. While PTSD can present challenges, many people can manage its effects through counselling and lifestyle changes such as exercise, mindfulness, and social support. With consistent professional guidance, symptoms could potentially become manageable, allowing individuals to maintain relationships, pursue careers, and engage in daily activities.
What happens if PTSD is left untreated?
If left untreated, PTSD can significantly impact an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, emotional numbness, and hypervigilance may worsen over time, leading to difficulties in relationships, work, and daily life.
Get Started Today
Are You Feeling Exhausted and Helpless?
Our therapists in Singapore can provide guidance and support to help you navigate the effects of trauma and PTSD. Using evidence-based techniques and personalised strategies, they work with you to identify triggers, build resilience, and develop healthier coping mechanisms for long-term recovery.
How Can We Help You
At Care Alliance Counselling, we have therapists who can provide trauma-informed care with a holistic and compassionate approach. And because we understand the deep impact trauma can have, we're dedicated to guiding you towards recovery.
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Whether you need PTSDtherapy sessions or counselling for anxiety, offer a safe and supportive environment where you can comfortably explore your experiences and emotions. Through empathetic listening and personalised interventions, we'll help you identify and address the root causes of your struggles.
What’s more, our range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques can be tailored to your individual needs, empowering you to gain insight, develop coping strategies, and experience positive changes in your life. Like many of our clients often, you have the potential to experience renewed hope, improved well-being, and a greater sense of empowerment in overcoming your challenges.
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