Treatment for PTSD and Trauma

Annette Poechman, BA, M.Ed., RP, CCC provides psychotherapy and psychological counselling to individuals suffering from PTSD and Trauma.

Common issues arising from PTSD and Trauma may include:

• sleeping difficulties including nightmares
• flashbacks and intrusive memories
• anxiety
• withdrawing from friends, family and activities previously enjoyed
• using alcohol or pain medication to cope with anger and feelings of helplessness.

Any of these combined with physical pain can make life seem unbearable. You may begin to wonder whether emotional recovery is even possible. It is.

Psychological counselling can help in many ways:

• develop strategies to cope with nightmares and improve sleep
• understand flashbacks and how to manage intrusive memories
• increase confidence
• understand why you are withdrawing from life and begin to re-engage
• reduce substance use
• understand your feelings and begin to communicate them to the important people in your life

Treatment Options for PTSD and Trauma

There are several treatment options for PTSD and Trauma including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Encourages the client to examine how their thoughts and beliefs are impacting their feelings and behaviour. When an individual has experienced trauma, their beliefs about the world and themselves change. The CBT trained therapist helps the client replace the distressing thoughts with more accurate ones.
• Exposure Therapy. Clients talk about the distressing feelings and memories repeatedly with the therapist. The goal of this type of therapy is to begin to feel less overwhelmed by the memories and learn not to fear them.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment option used with children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma, as well as those who have chronic depression, worry, anxiety, or difficulties with anger.
• Medication. Often used in conjunction with therapies. Medication can be an option after consultation with your family doctor or psychiatrist.

Treatment decisions are best made with input from both the therapist and the individual. Collaboration and trust is essential for individuals facing the challenging journey of PTSD and Trauma.

Annette Poechman, BA, M.Ed., RP, CCC is trained in treatments for PTSD and Trauma. One of the treatments is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

More About EMDR

EMDR targets past, present and future.  Developed in the late 80s in the states by Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been researched extensively and has been recommended by the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association for the treatment of trauma.

EMDR utilizes eye movement, alternating beeps or alternating taps on the back of the hands (also known as bilateral stimulation) to assist the person with the processing of difficult material. Difficult material can range from sexual assault or abuse memories, to a car accident or trauma experienced in the workplace. Conflict with siblings, witnessing parental arguments or bullying in school can have just as big an impact as issues that are typically associated with the more traditional definition of trauma. Learn more about EMDR treatment for Trauma – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

EMDR Certified and Trained Therapist in Hamilton

Annette Poechman is a Certified EMDR Therapist, which includes training for first responders. Annette works with individuals who have had a wide variety of experiences that are negatively affecting their life. She understands the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship before embarking on the journey of processing distressing life events. If you want to change your life, contact Annette Poechman to learn more about how personal counselling and and Treatment for PTSD and Trauma will make a difference.  Listening. Guiding. Caring.