Trauma/PTSD
Healing from Trauma
Symptoms, Screening Tools, and How Therapy Can Help
Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you — it’s about how your mind and body responded. Maybe you find yourself avoiding certain places, feeling constantly on high alert, or struggling with flashbacks and nightmares. Or maybe you don’t have clear memories of what happened, but you feel its effects through difficulties in your relationships, overwhelming emotions, or a persistent sense of unsafety.
The good news is that healing from trauma is possible. Using evidence-based approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy, we help you process trauma at your own pace — so you can move forward without being defined by your past.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is a response to any deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Trauma can result from a single event, like an accident or assault, or from ongoing experiences such as abuse, neglect, or systemic discrimination.
Not everyone responds to trauma in the same way. Some people develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while others may experience symptoms without fitting a formal diagnosis.
Common Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD
Symptoms of trauma can show up emotionally, mentally, and physically. Here are some signs you might be dealing with unresolved trauma:
- Intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached
- Hypervigilance (constantly feeling "on guard")
- Difficulty trusting others
- Irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain
- Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
Understanding these symptoms is a vital first step in seeking appropriate support and treatment.
Screening Tools for Trauma and PTSD
If you suspect you might be dealing with trauma-related symptoms, self-screening tools can offer valuable insight. Some commonly used trauma screening tools include:
PCL-5
(PTSD Checklist for DSM-5)
A 20-item self-report measure assessing the severity of PTSD symptoms.
ACE
(Adverse Childhood Experiences) Questionnaire
Helps identify the impact of early life trauma.
Trauma Screening Questionnaire
(TSQ)
A simple, 10-item tool to assess post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Life Events Checklist (LEC)
Screens for exposure to potentially traumatic events.
While these tools can help identify symptoms, an official diagnosis should always come from a licensed mental health professional.
How Therapy Can Help Heal Trauma
Trauma therapy is designed to help individuals safely process their experiences, reduce symptoms, and reclaim a sense of agency and peace. Evidence-based approaches like EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy are highly effective for trauma recovery.
EMDR Therapy
Helps reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional charge.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Focuses on healing wounded parts of the self, promoting inner harmony and resilience.
Somatic Approaches
Teach the body to release trauma stored in the nervous system.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Trauma
Helps shift negative beliefs and thought patterns that resulted from traumatic experiences.
At Vivant Therapy
Working at your own pace with a trained therapist ensures that you feel supported, respected, and empowered throughout your healing journey.
You are not alone in your experience of trauma — and you don’t have to face healing alone either. Therapy offers a path forward, helping you process painful memories, reduce symptoms, and build a life rooted in safety and meaning.
What to Expect
Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our practice? Check out our FAQs.
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Ready to take the next step toward healing?
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward healing, contact us today. We are here to help you move forward, free from the shadows of the past.