Trauma

Everything changed in an instant. Once the reality of what happened set in, I knew I would never be the same. A part of myself shattered, leaving a place of emptiness that has become full of questioning, fear, and mistrust. I want to feel safe again, but the memories of that moment hold me a prisoner in my own mind.

In the United States, 60% of men and 50% of women experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. Trauma comes in many forms. If you found us, you’re probably looking for help processing emotional or psychological trauma. Emotional trauma is the result of any extraordinary stressful event that threatens your safety and well-being. Many events can be traumatizing, making the definition of trauma dependent more on a person’s response to an event rather than the event itself. Any event that causes extreme fright and sense of helplessness can be traumatizing such as abuse, an attack, death, divorce, serious injury, war, natural disaster, and vicarious traumatization. Surviving a traumatic experience often manifests both emotional and physical symptoms of trauma.

Emotional effects of trauma include:

• Shock or denial.
• Anger, irritability, and mood swings.
• Shame and guilt.
• Sadness and hopelessness.
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating.
• Anxiety and fear.
• Isolation from others.
• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected.

Physical effects of trauma include:

• Sleeplessness.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Aches and pains.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle tension.

Symptoms of trauma can last a few days, months, or even years depending on your individual experience and ability to process the traumatic experience. Moving through trauma can take time, and sometimes when you feel you are doing better something triggers an emotional response that can make you feel like all progress is lost.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we know that dealing with trauma can be an intense roller-coaster of emotions, full of times of recovery followed by times when you feel you’ll never let go of the pain that consumes your life. Christian trauma counseling can show you how to gain control of your life rather than letting horrific experiences, memories, and emotions have power over you.

Types of Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Trauma

There are two types of emotional trauma. The first, most well-known version, is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the United States, one out of 10 who experience a traumatizing event develop post-traumatic stress disorder. If you’ve been in a situation that placed you at risk for serious injury, death, or sexual violation, you might be high-risk for developing PTSD. Usually PTSD results after a single traumatic event.

The second form of trauma, complex trauma, occurs cumulatively and often increases over time. On-going trauma such as long-term sexual abuse, physical violence, or chronic illness that required painful medical treatments are examples of situations that can cause complex trauma and can even cause Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD).

If you’re looking for help managing your post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, or suffer from complex trauma, Christian trauma counseling at Tacoma Christian Counseling can help you ease your restless mind and move towards a place of hope and healing.

When to Seek Christian Trauma Counseling

I try to move forward, but no matter how I try, I can’t escape the thoughts, feelings, and mental images that keep me frozen in a time I’d rather forget.

You might wonder if you need counseling after trauma. If you’ve lived through a life-changing, traumatic event, you might benefit from Christian trauma counseling. After experiencing trauma, it’s natural to go through a period of grieving. Having support during this time can help you better process your emotions so that you can work towards healing.
You might benefit from Christian trauma counseling if you:

• Experience difficulty functioning at work or at home.
• Suffer from lasting depression, anxiety, or fear.
• Alienate yourself from others and are unable to form lasting relationships.
• Experience terrifying or emotional memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
• Avoid reminders of the traumatic event.
• Feel emotionally disconnected or numb.
• Use drugs and/or alcohol to mask your trauma symptoms.

When looking for trauma-focused counseling, it’s important to find professionals you can trust. Dealing with trauma is a sensitive matter, and poor trauma counseling can do more harm than good. Here’s why Tacoma Christian Counseling is a reliable place for Christian trauma counseling:

• Experienced professionals – At Tacoma Christian Counseling, all of our Christian counselors are highly trained in their areas of expertise. Our trauma-focused counselors know how to navigate sensitive trauma-related issues effectively and with compassion.
• Safe and confidential – We offer trauma victims a safe place for exploring their deep and painful memories and emotions in a completely confidential environment.
• Results-driven Christian counseling – Our professionals at Tacoma Christian Counseling are dedicated to helping you process your trauma issues through a proven combination of science-backed counseling methods and the healing word of God.
• Risk-Free initial session – All of our counselors offer a risk-free initial session for Christian trauma counseling.

Trauma recovery is possible. Counseling professionals know more now than ever about how trauma affects the mind and body. Through Christian trauma counseling, you will find the support and tools you need.

Trauma and Recovery: Understanding Christian Trauma Counseling

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears – Psalms 34:4

Trauma shatters your world and everything you thought you knew. it makes you feel fearful, lonely, and hopeless. Christian trauma counseling will help you sort through the pieces of your brokenness and repair the damage through healing and faith in Christ. This requires you to face and resolve the overwhelming emotions and memories you try to suppress so that you can gain control rather than letting the trauma you suffered rule your life.
The goals of Christian trauma counseling are:

• Processing trauma-related memories and emotions.
• Understanding and managing strong feelings.
• Learning to build connected, trusting relationships.
• Getting back to a life that is fulfilling and made new in Christ.

Christian Counseling for Trauma in Adults

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalms 56:3-4

Trauma recovery can be a painstaking process, but healing is possible. Your emotionally traumatized mind and body becomes stuck in “fight or flight mode,” disrupting your life and trapping you in a state of hyperarousal and fear. Successful Christian trauma counseling aims to restore balance in your life by re-establishing your physical and psychological sense of well-being and safety. Common methods of trauma-focused counseling, which are usually used together, include:

• Psychodynamic Therapy – Helps clients put their feelings and experiences around traumatic experiences into words and uses the therapeutic relationship as a source of healing and understanding.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – Helps you gain awareness, understanding, and control of your thoughts and behaviors related to the traumatic experience.
• Lifespan Integration – Is a gentle, body-based therapeutic method which heals without re-traumatizing.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy) – Combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with rhythmic eye movements that have been proven to unblock traumatic memories, allowing you to process them without re-traumatizing the brain.
• Somatic experiencing – Utilizes the body’s natural ability for healing by focusing on how your body reacts to the emotional and physical effects of trauma. You will then learn how to release built-up tension through your body’s natural reactions to stress such as crying.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we provide excellent trauma-based counseling including PTSD treatment. Whatever traumatic issues plague your past and present, Christian trauma counseling will help you build a new future of hope and fulfillment.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid – John 14:27

Childhood trauma can have lasting, devastating effects if left unresolved. Children can have difficulty understanding the events, much less communicating what happened or how it made them feel. Christian trauma counseling will help your child process their emotions and express them in a healthy way. We understand that dealing with the traumatic event can be stressful and painful for both you and your child. We’ll do everything we can to offer support during this most difficult time. As with counseling for adults, Christian trauma counseling for children uses a number of effective child appropriate approaches that are aimed to help your child:

• Find peace by showing your child how to better control their trauma-related emotional and physical symptoms using stress management and relaxation skills.
• Gain understanding by allowing your child to talk about the traumatic event at a pace that doesn’t cause distress.
• Let go of self-blame and other exaggerated ideas about the traumatic event, such as believing he or she caused or could have prevented the event in some way.

Whether you child suffers from trauma resulting from abuse, natural disaster, vicarious traumatization, or some other traumatic experience, the compassionate Christian trauma counseling professionals at Tacoma Christian Counseling are here for you and your child.

What makes the Christian approach to trauma counseling different?

Much can be done using conventional counseling methods, which is a large part of our approach. What makes Christian counseling different is the acknowledgement that trauma has affected your faith. Your faith might be in crisis or your only source of strength. Either way you can express your faith with like-minded people who understand the importance of using Christian beliefs, wisdom, and values as a foundation for guidance, strength, and healing.

How do I find the right Christian counselor?

Counseling after trauma carries the potential for retraumatization. Because of this, it’s crucial to seek help from an experienced trauma counseling specialist. To find the right counselor for you, browse our Christian counselor profiles for more information.

How long will I need trauma counseling?

Christian trauma counseling is very individualized. Each person experiences and works through trauma at their own pace. Your counselor will continue treating you for as long as you need while doing everything possible to work towards the results you want.

My child needs Christian trauma counseling. What can I expect?

If you’re looking for Christian trauma counseling for your child or teen, we can help. Tacoma Christian Counseling has some of the area’s best children and adolescent counselors. For more information, visit our service pages for Christian counseling for children and Christian counseling for teens.

Christian trauma counseling can help you rebuild your life. Contact us today.

If you’re tired of living with trauma symptoms, it’s time for Christian trauma counseling. To learn more or to schedule your risk-free initial session, contact us online or give us a call at (253) 777-1997.