Trauma and (C)PTSD Therapy In Seattle
Untangling the Overwhelm
Your Pain Doesn’t Define You — But It Can Shape You
Dealing with the aftermath of something tough? You're not alone. Research shows that about 60% of all adults have experienced something that really shook us.
When something traumatic happens, it's more than just the event itself. It can mess with your sense of safety and leave lasting feelings. And honestly, it can be even harder when you feel like no one really gets it. While PTSD often develops after a single traumatic event, Complex PTSD (CPTSD) can arise from ongoing or repeated difficult or harmful experiences over time – often during childhood. Because of this, CPTSD can show up in broader ways than PTSD, sometimes including ongoing difficulties with emotions, relationships, and how you see yourself, in addition to typical PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance. The truth is, trauma, including both PTSD and CPTSD, can affect anyone, and it can have a real impact on your life. Therapy can help you understand these impacts and figure out ways to move forward, no matter the type of trauma you've experienced. Those emotional scars and unexpected triggers? They're real, and they're valid.
Everyone's experience is different, but if you're feeling the weight of trauma, whether it stems from a single event or more complex, ongoing experiences, please know you're not the only one. Ready to explore what it might be like to feel safer and more in control? Let's connect. Book an appointment to talk about how things could be different.
Have you ever faced something so hard or scary that it left a lasting mark on your emotions and thoughts? That's trauma. Trauma is a deep personal response to an event that shakes our core, making us feel vulnerable and often overwhelmed. Whether from a sudden catastrophe, emotional turmoil, or stress, trauma can make you feel as though a shadow has been cast over your everyday life. You're not alone in this, many find themselves revisiting these painful memories, feeling disconnected, and even trapped by the echoes of the past. There is a way to live life again while acknowledging and managing the effects of a trauma. At Green Coast Counseling, we are here to support you through it.
What is Trauma?
What is PTSD?
After facing ongoing trauma, some people can't stop thinking about it. This is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD for short. It is a reflection of the mind's struggle to process intense experiences. It is a persistent echo of traumatic events, making the pain resurface through flashbacks, anxiety, or a sense of numbness. These feelings are real and valid, but they are not all who you are. You are so much more than the hardships you've faced. With understanding, support, and care, it's possible to navigate through this storm and find a path to healing and self-rediscovery.
How Trauma Shapes Your Life Experiences
Trauma's Emotional Footprint
Emotional Weight
Every day, you might find yourself navigating a sea of powerful emotions, from intense anxiety to heart-wrenching sadness. We genuinely understand how emotionally exhausting and overwhelming this can feel, and we're here to help.
Relationship Challenges
Connecting with others becomes hard and filled with obstacles. The once-simple act of trust now feels monumental, and feelings of isolation or being deeply misunderstood can become constant.
Physical Strains
Trauma can show up in the heart, mind, and also in the body. Sleeping becomes harder, fatigue lingers, and there are physical pains that don’t seem to have an obvious cause. We recognize these struggles and the toll they can take.
Life Disruptions
Activities that once brought joy or routine daily tasks might now seem like mountains you have to climb. The aspirations and hobbies that you had might feel out of reach. We see your challenges and are here to walk beside you, every step of the way.
Work and Performance
Trauma can make it hard to focus at work and finish tasks on time. It can also make it tough to get along with coworkers or bosses because of strong emotions. Plus, when it gets hard to sleep, it can affect how well you do your job.
The Invaluable Benefits of Therapy for Trauma and (C)PTSD
Resilient, Grounded, and Liberating
Regain Control
Therapy For Trauma is a path to taking back control. While past events can cast long shadows, therapy offers hope that it doesn't have to stay like this forever. You have the ability to change your life's course. It's about investing in your freedom from the grips of the past.
Build Resilience
Life can be full of challenges, but we work with you to create the tools you can use to cope with them and live the life you want. Think of it as equipping yourself for not just today, but for a future where you navigate life's storms with fortified resilience.
Embrace True Self
Beneath the layers of trauma lies your true self, waiting to be rediscovered. Therapy is a process that takes you on a journey of self-revelation. We guide you to realize the immense potential within you, waiting to shine. Investing in therapy is investing in you.
Enhance Relationships
Every relationship is an investment. Therapy can help to enrich your relationships, mend strained bonds, and create connections that thrive. We support you to value yourself and how to see the same value in every interaction, making each one count.
Take The Next Step
Find Joy Without Fear.
Freedom From Trauma Starts Here
Embracing the truth that "you didn't cause this" is one of the first steps towards healing. It's not your fault, and together, we can craft a path to a safer, more empowered you. We believe there's a way for you to rediscover a sense of safety you may not have felt in some time. By identifying your triggers, alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms related to trauma, and learning to face traumatic memories with compassion and patience for yourself can guide you towards improved emotional and physical well-being. Together, we'll work on managing symptoms and easing you out of persistent survival mode.
Our culturally-informed therapists are equipped to navigate diverse challenges. It's our foremost priority to align with your comfort and trust. If our approach doesn't align with your needs, rest assured, we're dedicated to finding the best fit for your therapy needs. Your emotional health, personal growth, and sense of worth are important to us. Book a free consultation and let us support you through it.
Your Specialized Therapists
Sam MCCann, LMHCA
Specializing neurodiversity-affirming therapy for late and self diagnosed ADHD and Autistic adults.
Sonia Chavez, LMHCA
Specializing in trauma, 1st/2nd generation immigrant experience, and therapy for overwhelmed professionals.
Are you wanting to lean more about Trauma?
Here are some helpful resources.
Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey's book "What Happened to You?" describes the transformative power of understanding and reshaping our reactions to trauma.
Have you ever wondered how childhood experiences shape adult behaviors? This book provides profound insights into the impact of early trauma on the brain and how it plays out in our relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. The combination of Oprah's personal stories and Dr. Perry's expertise makes for an enlightening exploration of the healing process. Click on the image and get your copy today!
Mark Wolynn's book "It Didn't Start with You" dives into the fascinating concept of inherited family trauma and its impact on our lives.
Ever felt burdened by emotions, fears, or health issues that don't seem to stem from your own life experiences? Wolynn takes readers on a deep dive into how trauma can be passed down through generations, giving us a compelling mix of scientific studies, case histories, and accessible tools to identify and break these inherited patterns. This book sheds light on the unseen legacy of our ancestors that might be shaping our lives. Click on the image to buy your copy!
Stephanie Foo's book "What My Bones Know" talks about the past family trauma and how it can affect us today.
Stephanie dives into her family's story and shares her personal struggles with anxiety, trauma, and relationships. By telling her story, she shows the importance of understanding yourself, working toward healing and navigating your past. This book is offers a look into how our family's past can shape us. Click on the image to get your copy!