PTSD Therapy Is Transforming Lives in Watertown, SD
Have you experienced a traumatic event? Are you suffering from lingering fear and anxiety? Do you feel like you no longer have any control over how you think, feel, and behave?
Trauma can leave lasting emotional and physical effects, often resurfacing long after the event has passed. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may develop, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and other unpleasant symptoms. These are not signs of weakness—they’re the mind and body’s natural response to overwhelming stress. And with the right support, healing is possible. PTSD therapy at Aspen Counseling Services in Watertown, South Dakota, focuses on restoring safety and confidence, both within yourself and with those around you. Our trauma therapists work at your pace, always prioritizing emotional safety and empowerment.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD is a mental health challenge that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a terrorist act, an act of war, a serious accident, rape, or any other violent personal assault. It is believed that PTSD affects nearly four percent of the U.S. adult population. While it is usually linked with veterans who’ve experienced combat, PTSD occurs in all people regardless of age, race, nationality, or culture. In fact, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as men.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
People with PTSD often experience intense thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experiences. These can last for a long time after the initial event. Many people with PTSD feel intense emotions such as:
- Fear
- Anger
- Sadness
- Detachment from friends, family, and community members
They may also relive the event through flashbacks and nightmares. Ordinary sounds or incidents, such as a door banging or accidental touch in a crowd, may cause a sudden, uncontrollable reaction. Because of the discomfort involved, it’s a good idea to consult a trauma therapist for techniques to subdue the condition.
Types of PTSD Treatment
There are a variety of treatments that can be used to treat PTSD. However, three specific techniques are consistently gaining evidence of their effectiveness in treating PTSD:
Cognitive Processing Therapy
This modality focuses on how a person perceives a traumatic event and processes it. A therapist can help their client work through stuck points, which are certain thoughts related to the trauma that prevent the person from recovering.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This technique uses bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, to stimulate the brain to process difficult thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related to one another. The goal of a CBT therapist is to help a client with PTSD return to a place of hope with a greater sense of being in control of their thoughts and behaviors.
Getting Started With PTSD Therapy
If you or a loved one suffers from traumatic memories and would like to explore treatment options, turn to Aspen Counseling. We have seen amazing transformations through PTSD therapy and want to help you enjoy life again. Reach out today to connect with a skilled trauma therapist in Watertown and begin your path toward recovery.