Trauma Counseling
When we experience something overwhelming or disturbing—whether it is an event, emotion, or sensation—that is too much for us to handle, and we do not have the support we need to process it, it can become trauma.
Trauma happens when our brain gets stuck replaying distressing moments over and over. This occurs when events are too hard to cope with or feel beyond our control. Even if we're not consciously thinking about the event, our brain keeps these memories active as part of a protective mechanism to prevent future harm. These memories are often stored as fragmented feelings and sensations, which makes it hard to form a clear “story” of what happened. In daily life, carrying these fragmented memories can feel exhausting or even overwhelming. Trauma can lead to a range of symptoms, including:
Anxiety
Depression, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm
Sleep problems (like nightmares, night terrors, or insomnia)
Constant alertness (hypervigilance)
Flashbacks
Chronic pain or autoimmune conditions
Headaches
Digestive issues
Trouble concentrating
Dissociation (feeling detached from reality)
Struggles in relationships
Healing from trauma begins when we receive support and connection, which helps us process and make sense of the overwhelming experiences. At Scout, our therapists are trained to provide trauma-informed care that helps clients feel safe and begin their journey to healing. We use proven methods like somatic therapy, grounding techniques, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Our approach is inspired by the work of leading trauma experts such as Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Francine Shapiro, Richard Schwartz, Judith Herman, Stephen Porges, Gabor Maté, and others. Below you can read more about each approach and the unique clinician or team of clinicians here to assist you.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems Therapy is a transformative approach to individual psychotherapy developed by Richard C. Schwartz. IFS views every human being as a system of protective and wounded parts led by a core Self that knows how to heal. IFS helps people access their true Self to heal and unburden the inner parts that have been forced into extreme roles through trauma and pain. IFS facilitates both inner and outer connectedness by first helping people change their relationship with themselves and their story and second, helping change their relationship with others and the world around them.
Clients can expect a clinician to help guide them through identifying parts by focusing on an emotion, impulse, thought or sensation in the body. By focusing on a part, the individual separates from it, making space to bring Self forward. Asking a part what it wants you to know allows the part to share how it is operating and what part it is protecting that needs to be healed. The therapist and client work together to unburden the parts and heal the pain.
If you would be interested in receiving IFS treatment in conjunction with your current therapy, please contact Amy Achata for more information on scheduling an intake appointment.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting has shown promise as an effective way of healing from past trauma. In brainspotting, a therapist uses your field of vision to help access these memories and subsequently facilitate your brain’s natural capability of neuroplasticity to rewrite a new pathway leading to release. While it is not a specific spot in the brain, it is a brain based tool by using relevant eye positions. The therapist and client collaborate to identify which relevant eye position is most useful for processing. The fixed eye position and body sensation are paired with the unresolved issue and enter into mindful processing.
While it is often associated with helping resolve trauma memories, there is a wide range of unwanted behaviors and actions that can be processed by accessing deep parts of the brain, such as:
Unmet emotional needs from your caregivers
Performance and sports related anxiety
Phobias
Core beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I must please others to be worthy.”
If you would be interested in receiving brainspotting treatment in conjunction with your current therapy, please contact A.G. Estes for more information on scheduling an intake appointment.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Due to the way our brain captures traumatic memories, it requires a specific approach to unlock and process those memories. EMDR and Brainspotting are approaches that can help address these memories. EMDR is a structured treatment protocol that has been proven to be effective with adults and children experiencing PTSD after safety has been experienced within the therapeutic relationship. The process involves learning more about your history (including family of origin, past relationships, school experiences, positive/proud moments, as well as difficult/challenging moments), exploring resources, and learning skills where it’s helpful. After planning the targeted memories, assessment takes place to explore negative beliefs about yourself that are held in connection to the traumatic experience. In the reprocessing phase, the clinician and yourself will collaborate to decide which memory to begin reprocessing. Reprocessing memories allows for the intense emotions or sensations to be reduced and to move towards greater healing. Through every step, you will be empowered in decision making regarding your care.
If you would be interested in receiving EMDR treatment in conjunction with your current therapy, please contact A.G. Estes for more information on scheduling an intake appointment.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This therapy focuses on the relationships between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and bodily sensations. PTSD can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event, such as physical abuse, sexual assault, accidents, threats, military combat, or witnessing violence or death. CPT is an evidence-based therapy, meaning its effectiveness has been validated through extensive scientific research. This approach helps individuals understand why recovering from traumatic events can be difficult and how PTSD symptoms can affect daily life. A key component of the treatment involves addressing thought patterns that may keep individuals feeling "stuck" and may hinder their recovery from PTSD and other related issues.
If you would be interested in receiving EMDR treatment in conjunction with your current therapy, please contact Amy Fowler for more information on scheduling an intake appointment.