Trauma is a common event in many people’s lives. In fact, 223.4 million people in the U.S. — about 70% of the population — have experienced a traumatic event at least one time in their lives. While some of these events are acute — a single event such as a car accident, violent crime, or other experience — chronic traumas stem from an extended series of events.
Chronic trauma is a complex form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that develops from incidents that recur during a person’s life.
There are many other situations that can cause you to experience chronic trauma and, sometimes, the symptoms of this trauma won’t come to the surface until long after the traumatic experiences have ended — even years later.
Reactions to chronic trauma range from physical issues like nausea and headaches to flashbacks and unpredictable emotions.
Living with the pain of an ongoing traumatic situation causes people to develop reactive and defensive strategies of coping, such as:
While these strategies help “protect” you at some level, they can cause you to experience:
If you are living with, or have experienced, chronic trauma in your life and have not yet received treatment, you may also be experiencing some of the following:
As with any treatment plan to address long-standing traumatic events, I create an individual, trauma-informed approach based directly on your experiences, needs, and mental health goals. For those with religious or culture-based trauma, I can provide the culturally sensitive perspective, guidance, and support necessary to relieve and resolve traumatic stress.
I will work with you through your trauma, applying the therapy tools that will provide the greatest benefit and the quickest return to health. Importantly, I provide a comfortable, sex-positive environment, so if sexual abuse, shame, or other sexual issues come into play, we can work closely to resolve them.
Because one size does not fit all when it comes to therapy, I have several modalities available to help ease the transition as we work through your trauma. These range from talk therapy and bodywork to expressive arts or even a combination of all. Sessions can be individual, include a partner, or encompass the whole family — you may choose which fits your comfort level the best.
Sandra is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas and founder of Instilling Hope Counseling Services. With a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Arabic Literature from The University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University, Sandra sees individuals ages 13 and up, couples, and families.
As a therapist, Sandra's personal goal is to help eliminate the negative stigma that surrounds mental health and to encourage inclusivity and positivity across a wide range of personal relationship choices.
