Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can be a challenging and debilitating condition impacting anyone who has suffered a traumatic event. It is an anxiety disorder that may result in sleep problems, irritability, anger, recurrent dreams about the trauma, intense reactions to reminders of the trauma, disturbances in relationships, and isolation. Some people recover in a few months, while others may suffer for years. PTSD is serious and can affect anyone.

June is PTSD Awareness Month. At CW Psychological Services in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, we have counselors and therapists who are expertly trained in working with survivors of trauma—creating hope for a better tomorrow. Our clinicians use a variety of treatment modalities to offer the best care for each client. You can heal from PTSD. We can help. 

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a trauma treatment that uses bilateral stimulation in the form of tapping, tones, or eye movements to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. Certain traumatic memories can be stored in a private place in the brain. Think of it like a lock box where the memory is stored and you don’t yet have the combination to get it out. Because these memories are hidden away, your brain cannot use its typical healing processes to manage these past experiences.

EMDR works with the brain to connect traumatic memories to the healing networks of the brain. It unlocks the box, removes any blocks, and allows the brain to naturally heal. The memory then becomes part of the past rather than the present—a bad thing that happened but has little power anymore.

At CW Psychological Services, our clinician Dr. Dorothy Gail Monteith regularly performs EMDR therapy. Learn more about Dr. Gail here.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related to one another. CBT techniques are often used with a PTSD sufferer to help modify distorted or unhelpful thinking and negative reactions and behaviors. A client of Trauma-Focused CBT will learn to challenge invasive thoughts of guilt and fear and reorganize their thinking more healthily. It is about giving the client back control. 

At CW Psychological Services, our associate therapist Kaylee Ambrose regularly works with clients using TF-CBT. She helps PTSD sufferers gain freedom from past wounds. You can learn more about Kaylee here. 

Grief Work

Grief can take on many forms. It describes the emotional pain and anguish experienced after significant loss, which is often associated with trauma. Most people think of grief as something that follows the loss of a loved one but it can also be the loss of self, loss of experience, loss of past life, etc. It is often part of PTSD. 

At CW Psychological Services, our associate therapist Ladia Adams works with clients on working through their grief and healing from past trauma. More information about her can be found here.  

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy works by focusing on how a person perceives a traumatic event. Through this form of talk therapy, clinicians work with clients to navigate stuck points—intrusive thoughts related to trauma that prevent a person from recovering. This therapy helps the client to process past trauma in a way that allows them to move forward. 

Contact us to learn more about this and other PTSD treatment options.

You Are Not Alone

PTSD affects nearly four percent of the U.S. population and potentially more that are not receiving treatment. Most often it impacts veterans but it can impact anyone who has faced trauma. It occurs in all people regardless of age, race, nationality, or culture. Women are twice as likely as men to experience PTSD.

Facing your PTSD can be scary but it doesn’t have to rule your life. Healing is possible with the right care and tools. The therapists at CW Psychological Services are prepared to tailor a care plan that fits you and your life. Better days are ahead.  

Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania? 

Counselors and associate-level clinicians at CW Psychological Services are professionally trained. We have openings for online or telehealth therapy appointments. Email us at [email protected] or call (610) 308-7575. We are here for you.