Trauma Therapy
What is Trauma?
The word "trauma" comes from the Greek word meaning "wound." While a physical wound typically refers to a bodily injury, psychological trauma refers to emotional or mental wounds, often caused by distressing or painful events. While physical injuries often heal with treatments like surgery, antibiotics, or bandages, psychological trauma doesn’t always heal over time. Instead, it can linger in the emotions, memories, and even the bodies of those who have experienced it.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on trauma treatment and healing, which is a positive development for individuals who have suffered in silence or endured horrific experiences. However, many people who haven’t experienced major traumatic events like rape, sexual abuse, mass shootings, or natural disasters might question whether they, too, have experienced trauma and whether they need trauma therapy.
What Happens When You Experience Trauma
Whether you experience one traumatic event or multiple, it is common to experience stress reactions afterward. When you encounter a threat, your body activates a stress response controlled by your nervous system. Stress hormones are released, which can trigger fight, flight, or freeze responses. Once the threat is over, the nervous system should return to balance. However, many individuals who experience trauma do not automatically return to equilibrium. These traumatic events can leave you feeling constantly on edge, experiencing high levels of arousal.
Common Trauma Symptoms and Reactions
You may experience physical reactions such as:
Trouble eating or an upset stomach
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and feeling shaky
Excessive sweating or sweating during stressful thoughts
Severe headaches when thinking of the traumatic event
Loss of motivation to maintain exercise, diet, or health care routines
Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy coping mechanisms
Overeating or not eating enough
Exacerbation of ongoing medical problems
Constantly feeling on guard, alert, or hypervigilant
Easily startled by sudden noises, feeling jumpy
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
You may experience emotional/relational struggles such as:
Feeling nervous, helpless, fearful, or sad
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from joy or love
Increased irritability, angry outbursts, or agitation
Blaming yourself or viewing yourself or the world negatively
Inability to trust others, increased arguments, or controlling behaviors
Withdrawal, feelings of rejection, or abandonment
Feeling detached or avoiding intimacy with loved ones
Disturbing dreams or flashbacks related to the traumatic event
Avoidance of people, places, or activities that remind you of the trauma
The Impact of Untreated Trauma
Without proper trauma treatment, unresolved trauma can lead to a range of mental health challenges and long-term emotional and physical effects. Untreated trauma increases the risk of conditions such as:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression and anxiety disorders
Self-blame, guilt, and shame related to trauma
Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors
Anger, irritability, or aggressive behavior
Increased alcohol or drug use as a coping mechanism
If you or a loved one are struggling with these trauma-related symptoms, seeking trauma-informed therapy can help facilitate healing and recovery. Our therapists serve the Suwanee, Alpharetta, Cumming, Buford, Duluth, and surrounding areas.
What Happens When You Develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
It is estimated that 70% of people in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event, but only about 6% develop PTSD. However, for those who do, the effects can be debilitating without PTSD counseling or trauma-focused therapy.
Common PTSD Symptoms
People experiencing PTSD may struggle with:
Intrusive Symptoms
Flashbacks or feeling like the event is happening again
Nightmares or recurring traumatic memories
Frightening thoughts that won't go away
Emotional & Behavioral Changes
Feeling detached or alone, avoiding social interactions
Loss of interest in hobbies and daily activities
Extreme irritability or angry outbursts
Cognitive & Physical Reactions
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical pain, such as headaches or stomach aches
Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
Easily startled by sudden sounds or movements
Avoidance & Negative Thinking
Avoiding thoughts, places, or people connected to the trauma
Struggling with memory loss related to the event
Developing negative beliefs about oneself or the world
If you recognize these symptoms, it may be time to seek therapy. Trauma-focused counseling can help you process past experiences and regain a sense of safety and stability.
Do I Need Trauma Treatment?
If you’re wondering whether trauma therapy in Suwanee, GA is right for you, you’re not alone. Many people assume that only those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) need trauma treatment. However, you don’t need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed therapy.
While it may seem obvious that sexual abuse, war, or violent crimes are traumatic experiences, trauma comes in many forms. If you’ve ever questioned whether your past experiences have affected your mental and emotional well-being, consider the following:
Examples of Trauma That May Impact Mental Health
Childhood neglect or emotional abandonment
Growing up with a parent struggling with addiction
Emotional, verbal, or physical abuse
Losing a parent during childhood
Growing up with a parent who has a mental illness
Experiencing parental divorce as a child
Living with chronic pain, illness, or loss of mobility
Being bullied or socially rejected
Experiencing infidelity in a relationship
Surviving a serious car accident
Witnessing the death of a loved one
Moving multiple times during childhood
Losing a pet that was a source of emotional support
Even if these experiences don’t seem as severe as what others have gone through, they can still leave lasting emotional wounds. Trauma affects each person differently, and its impact can resurface in unexpected ways, such as anxiety, trust issues, or difficulty regulating emotions.
What Can I Expect from Trauma Therapy?
Starting trauma therapy can feel overwhelming, and it’s normal to feel hesitant about revisiting painful experiences. At Paraclete Counseling Center, we understand that healing from emotional trauma takes time, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you're struggling with PTSD, childhood trauma, or anxiety related to past experiences, our licensed trauma therapists in Suwanee, GA, are committed to helping you heal.
What to Expect from Trauma Treatment
A Safe and Supportive Environment
We create a judgment-free, compassionate space where you can feel heard, valued, and supported. Healing from psychological trauma requires trust, and we are here to listen, not judge.
A Personalized, Pacing Approach
There's no universal timeline for healing, and trauma therapy moves at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Our goal is to ensure you always feel in control of your trauma recovery journey.
Understanding Your Unique Experience
Your trauma story is personal, and so is your treatment. Our trauma-informed therapists will work with you to assess how trauma has affected your mental and emotional well-being and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Developing Coping Strategies
Healing from trauma involves learning practical tools to help you manage emotional distress. Our therapists will help you:
Regulate overwhelming emotions using grounding techniques and mindfulness
Calm your body and mind through body-based interventions
Identify and reframe negative thought patterns, including self-blame
Recognize and cope with trauma triggers in daily life
Our goal is to help you feel empowered and resilient by integrating these skills into your everyday routine.
Processing Your Traumatic Memories
When you feel ready, we use evidence-based therapies to help you process trauma safely and effectively. Some of the proven trauma treatment methods we use include:
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – A highly effective treatment that allows clients to process traumatic memories without having to discuss them in detail. EMDR involves bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tones, or tapping) to help the brain reprocess distressing experiences. Research shows that EMDR can lead to faster symptom relief compared to traditional talk therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) – Helps clients recognize and change negative thought patterns related to trauma.
Somatic Therapy & Internal Family Systems (IFS) – These approaches focus on healing trauma stored in the body and addressing different parts of the self affected by past experiences.
Attachment-Based Therapy – Addresses the impact of trauma on relationships, trust, and emotional security.
EMDR Trauma Therapists Serving Suwanee, Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth, Buford, and Surrounding Areas
Several therapists at Paraclete Counseling Center are trained in EMDR therapy:
🔹 Lisa Poore
🔹 Kami Legg
🔹 Corrie Brewton
Rebuilding Relationships and Trust
Trauma can impact relationships, leading to feelings of disconnection from yourself and others. Our therapists will help you:
Heal attachment wounds and rebuild trust
Strengthen communication and emotional connection
Establish healthy boundaries in relationships
Provide couples counseling if trauma has affected your intimate relationship
Looking Toward the Future
While processing past trauma is a key part of healing, our ultimate goal is to help you build a resilient and fulfilling future. We focus on:
Helping you regain a sense of self-worth and empowerment
Supporting you in developing healthy coping mechanisms
Encouraging emotional growth and adaptability
Integrating Faith in Trauma Therapy (Optional)
For those who wish to incorporate faith into their trauma recovery, our therapists offer Christian trauma counseling in a compassionate and non-judgmental environment. We respect each individual’s personal journey and can help you explore how your beliefs intersect with the healing process.
Not Sure If You’re Ready for Trauma Therapy? We’re Here to Support You
Thinking about trauma treatment can feel overwhelming, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure. At Paraclete Counseling Center, we understand that healing takes time, and we’re here to support you at your own pace.
Our first priority is helping you develop coping strategies to manage difficult emotions, so you feel emotionally prepared when the time comes to process your trauma. There’s no rush—you can take things one step at a time in a safe and compassionate environment.
Ready to Begin Trauma Therapy?
If you recognize that you’re a survivor of trauma and are ready to begin your healing journey, our team is here to help. Our trauma-informed therapists in Suwanee, GA will:
✔ Provide a comprehensive trauma assessment
✔ Recommend personalized treatment options, including EMDR, CBT, and somatic therapies
✔ Guide you through a safe and structured healing process
