Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, a natural disaster, or the childhood trauma of abuse or neglect.

Many times people will fully recover after a traumatic experience, but sometimes trauma leaves lasting effects that can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health long after the traumatic situation has resolved. Experiencing trauma increases a person’s risk for developing other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and may lead to physical health problems.

Trauma can create a psychological wound, and working with an experienced, trauma-informed therapist can help you to heal. Rather than focusing on what’s “wrong” with you, trauma-informed therapists ask the question “What happened to you and how did you adapt?” Working with a therapist to address trauma may include education about trauma’s effects on the brain, nervous system, and the body; a specific trauma treatment such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT); or education and referrals for mind-body therapies such as yoga or tai chi.

All of our therapists at Desert Lotus Counseling have extensive experience working with individuals healing from the effects of trauma, as well as training in trauma-focused therapies.