Post-traumatic stress

Trauma and the Effects of Trauma

Psychological trauma, unlike physical trauma, does not show, since the wounds are emotional. But it can impact our lives greatly. Perhaps you were physically, sexually, or emotionally abused as a child or an adult. Maybe your parents were neglectful or a family member was very frightening. Maybe you are a combat veteran and experienced an attack. Or you were in a bad car accident. Possibly someone you love died tragically. Or maybe you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

Often we handle a traumatic event well at the time, only to experience emotional difficulties sometime later, such as: sleeplessness, irritability, flashbacks, angry outbursts, nervousness, fearfulness, overreactions and relationship difficulties. It is common to develop addictions as an attempt to deal with these frequently overwhelming situations and emotions. (See addictions treatment at Temenos.)

At Temenos, our goal is to help people who have experienced trauma have as full and comfortable lives as possible. We understand that trauma treatment sometimes must go slowly so that the client does not get overwhelmed. Most of us are trained in EMDR, and we all use other integrative techniques to teach relaxation and help clients heal from the effects of trauma. In this way they begin to make sense of what they have been through and put the trauma behind them. Finally, we help them with their relationships and work issues if, as is often the case, the trauma has interfered with these areas of their lives.

Please call us at 856 722-9043, extension 9, to set up an appointment with one of our licensed, knowledgeable and compassionate therapists. Or email us at: inquiry@temenoscenter.com for more information.

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who experiences any type of trauma, from military combat to an auto accident to sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Not everyone who experiences a trauma develops PTSD, but those who do can struggle for months or years with painful and difficult symptoms. These symptoms can include, but are not limited to: flashbacks, nightmares, hyper-vigilance as well as generalized anxiety and depression.

Using a variety of techniques, we work with our clients who struggle with PTSD to reduce and gradually eliminate symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety. Most of the staff at Temenos have received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a technique that has been proven to be very effective in treating many kinds of PTSD (see EMDR: A Tool For Healing). Basically, treatment for PTSD consists in telling your story in a safe environment and processing it in the context of a supportive and caring relationship. Once processed, the memory of the experience is no longer disruptive to your life, and becomes a normal memory of a bad event, instead of a constant re-living of it.

Many people who struggle with PTSD have come to experience the world as a dangerous place. At Temenos, we work to help people to develop and maintain a realistic sense of safety as a foundation for further emotional growth. Part of the goal is to integrate the trauma and the rest of life (both good and bad) into a new, albeit more complex understanding of the world. We have found that developing this type of coherent "life story" helps people have the perspective and strength necessary to take new risks towards happiness.

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Serving Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Marlton, Medford, Evesham, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Mt. Holly, Lumberton, and Voorhees, Riverton, Cinnaminson; we are easily reached from most of Burlington County and Camden County.