The emotional aftermath of traumatic events can be as devastating as any physical damage. Trauma shatters our sense of security, often leaving in its path feelings of vulnerability, helplessness, and worthlessness. Abuse affects men and women, children and adults. It can steal one’s innocence and trust. It is our desire to see these restored. There is freedom for the abuser, the abused, or concerned loved ones. We help clients heal from feelings of pain, fear, and grief.
Sexual Abuse
Clients who have experienced sexual abuse often speak of shame and feeling dirty. They sometimes exhibit symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or normal responses to completely abnormal experiences. Some clients come with memories they have carried for decades; others arrive with pain that is only days old.
Our counselors have extensive experience helping clients recover from sexual abuse. We know the importance of having a safe
environment in which to walk through the healing process. Enjoying safe, intimate relationships with others is possible.
We understand the courage it takes to walk this journey.
Combat Trauma
Combat trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are a normal person’s response to completely abnormal situations. These responses can lock a person in trauma for decades. During this trauma, the brain becomes hijacked and the normal processes of dealing with memories and events are disrupted.
Spanish River Counseling Center offers therapists who specialize in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment, including an experienced, licensed, and certified Army Ranger to treat veterans suffering with PTSD. We use up to date, evidence-based modalities of care that work. We have seen the wounds of PTSD heal.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specific brain-centered treatment that allows clients to safely process traumatic memories using left and right brain stimulation. During trauma, a person’s neurological processing system is hijacked in times of extreme stress. EMDR allows the traumatic memory to be processed by the brain which allows the negative emotional attachments to the traumatic memory to be removed permanently. In EMDR, it is even possible for older memories to emerge and heal.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Events that leave a person feeling insecure, helpless, vulnerable, or endangered are often the result of emotional and psychological trauma. The events may not have caused physical harm, yet they still evoke unwanted emotional responses.
Emotionally and psychologically traumatic events are often unexpected, intentionally cruel, or repetitive. Experiencing a car accident, the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, a sports injury, a humiliating act, or a life-threatening illness are examples of events that cause trauma. Other issues can intensify the problem, as well.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect those who experience or witness catastrophe, including emergency workers and law enforcement officers. There are many unpredictable traumatic and abusive events which can lead to PTSD symptoms, some of which include sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, bullying, accidents, or the sudden death of a loved one.
PTSD symptoms can include intrusive memories of the traumatic event, avoidance, hyper-vigilance, or feelings of alienation, mistrust, guilt, or self-blame. Sometimes these symptoms emerge quickly, and other times they appear weeks, months, or years later.
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone. It occurs in all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels, but is often overlooked, excused, or denied.
Abusers often seek control by abusing others. Domestic violence and abuse can include emotional abuse which may include yelling, name-calling, blaming, shaming, controlling finances, sabotaging one’s job, isolating someone from their friends, threatening a person if they speak of leaving, intimidating others, and feeling the need to walk on eggshells.
Help for Abused Men
One in four men experience domestic abuse, but few seek help. They may remain silent for fear of not being believed, feeling ashamed, or losing their children. Domestic violence and abuse can have serious physical and psychological effects on both men and their children.
Abuse comes in many forms such as being humiliated, repeatedly belittled, threatened, or having one’s possessions destroyed. In an abusive situation, a man should seek help by calling an experienced therapist or domestic violence hotline. He should never retaliate. He should report all incidences of abuse, and be prepared to leave, taking evidence, important documents, and medical records.