Terri Kirwan | Comprehensive Counseling

Trauma Resolution

A 3-Fold, Comprehensive Trauma Treatment Program…

 Individual Therapy.  Emotional Regulation Skills Group.  Somatic Trauma Release Weekends

  …. for Freedom from Complex Trauma

Unless you had a very nurturing childhood, have a secure Sense to Self, and are only dealing with a single traumatic incident, most trauma is complex.   Complex Trauma, also known as C-PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), often arises from a family system that feels un-nurturing or abusive in some way.  It is then complicated by exposure throughout life to other traumatic relationships and events. It dislodges our inner sense of safety and security, can dysregulate our emotional life, nervous system and relationships and cause many “secondary” problems as a result.  Let’s delve into the ways it impacts individuals:

  1. Emotional Regulation and Relationships:
    • Difficulty with emotional regulation: Complex trauma can lead to significant challenges in managing emotions. Individuals may struggle with intense emotional reactions and find it hard to regulate their feelings. Many people deal with depression and anxiety as a result.
    • Relationship difficulties: The ability to form and maintain healthy relationships may be impaired. Trust issues, fear of abandonment, and difficulty staying connected with our selves while in connection with others are common.
      1. Self-Identity and Fragmentation:
        • Fragmentation of the self: Complex trauma can cause a fragmented sense of self. Individuals may feel disconnected from their own identity, as if different parts of themselves don’t fit together.  They may experience dissociation, which is a sense of separation from one’s sensory experience, thoughts and emotions.
        • Self-esteem and shame: Feelings of shame and low self-esteem often accompany complex trauma. Survivors may blame themselves for the traumatic experiences they endured and/or develop negative Core Beliefs which affect the way they see themselves and the world.
      2. Psychological Impact:
        • Intrusions and avoidance: Trauma-related memories and thoughts can intrude into daily life, causing distress. At the same time, survivors may avoid situations or triggers associated with the trauma.
        • Sleep disturbances: Irregular sleep patterns, nightmares, and insomnia are common effects.
        • Hypervigilance: Survivors remain hyper-alert, constantly scanning their environment for potential threats.
        • Occupational and social impairment: The impact of trauma can disrupt work, social interactions, relationships and emotional well-being.
      3. Damage to Information Processing Systems:
        • Brain rewiring: PTSD (including C-PTSD) alters the brain’s information processing system. Unthreatening stimuli may be perceived as threatening, affecting attention and concentration.
        • Dysfunctional memory storage: Traumatic memories are stored in a disjointed and disintegrated manner, separate from adaptive information and positive experiences.
      4. Invisible Wounds:
        • Trauma manifests covertly, unlike visible physical wounds. It dissolves our sense of identity, disrupts coherence, and impairs emotional regulation.

***Trauma includes anything that is perceived as life threatening and is causing symptoms that interfere with your daily functioning. It can include an accident, combat, violence, abuse, or developmental trauma which results from an unstable childhood in which critical safety and security needs were not met.

Experiences Common to Persons With Trauma

      • Frequent sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, night terrors, over-sleeping)
      • Hyperarousal (jumpiness, difficulty relaxing, movement of hands, legs, feet)
      • Body memories, physical symptoms
      • Flashbacks
      • Poor boundaries with others (too permissive or too rigid)
      • Difficulties nurturing yourself or caring for yourself appropriately
      • Dissociation (Feeling disconnected from yourself or losing time)
      • Difficulty managing emotions
      • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, powerlessness, shame
      • Feeling “dirty” or like “damaged goods”
      • Anxiety, panic attacks, and hypervigilance
      • Depression
      • Suicidal thoughts and attempts, feeling destructive
      • Cutting, self injury, or self mutilation
      • Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, and/or compulsive overeating)
      • Body image issues
      • Difficulty with or avoiding relationships, automatic lack of trust of others
      • Avoidance of appropriate and consensual sexual intimacy
      • Addictions and compulsions (alcohol, sex, drugs, food, gambling, spending, pornography…

 

GOOD NEWS! TRAUMA IS TREATABLE!

If you are struggling with the following symptoms of PTSD, you don’t need to suffer anymore!

    • The 3-PRONGED TRAUMA THERAPY PROGRAM I provide heals the affects that trauma has on your brain, body, thoughts and emotions so that you can experience the calm serenity that is your birthright!
    • If you are struggling with the following symptoms of PTSD, you don’t need to suffer anymore! With over 20 years of training and experience resolving severe trauma, I combine the most powerful modalities for healing (including Rapid Resolution Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Sensory Motor Trauma Therapy, Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Advanced Emotional Regulation Skills, CBT, Mindfulness, Hypnotherapy, NLP and Journey Work. 

 MY 3-PRONGED TRAUMA PROGRAM WORKS TO HEAL COMPLEX TRAUMA 

   INDIVIDUAL THERAPY – EMOTIONAL REGULATION SKILLS GROUPS  – SOMATIC TRAUMA RELEASE WEEKENDS

Some people will need all three aspects of this programs at once, some at different times and others need only one or two components.   This program was based on years of working in a residential treatment program for trauma.  It enables people to receive this same type of comprehensive program but in a way that is individualized to them, based on their own timeline, work, and life demands and without the cost (30,000 – 50,000 per month) of an in-patient, or residential, treatment program.  Yes, it is a time and financial commitment.  And, It is a program that works and will enable you to Heal!

“Terri’s use of many newer methods of trauma recovery, her rich experience, and wise application make her brilliantly effective as a therapist. She really cares, her techniques really work, and the skills she teaches are immediately and forever helpful. Her weekend trauma workshop is the best value healing-wise and money-wise that a person could find for PTSD. Terri, I will always be so deeply grateful for how you have helped heal and free my whole being!! Words can’t begin to say it. . . Joyfully…!”

“I have never met another therapist who has helped me as much as Terri has. Her confidence and knowledge about trauma gave me hope that she could help free me from my past.”

This Program Will Help You:

  • Develop a Healthy Connection to Self
  • Re-establish Healthy Boundaries
  • Create an Internal Sense of Security and Well Being
  • Release Physically Stored Trauma from your Nervous System
  • Calm an Anxious Brain and Body
  • Restore Personal Power
  • Learn Emotional Regulation Skills
  • Eliminate Symptoms of PTSD
  • Resolve Dissociation
  • Release Painful Events of the Past
  • Experience Vitality
  • Create Healthy Relationships

Read More about How

Group Support for Trauma