PTSD Counseling – Therapists and Counselors in Ashland, VA
Post-traumatic stress syndrome is a serious illness that develops in individuals after experiencing a traumatic event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation.
If you’re feeling like you’re struggling to recover from the after-effects of a traumatic experience, reach out to the experienced counselors at Thriveworks Hanover for comprehensive treatment. Simply call or book online.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD has been associated with many who are discharged from the military who have experienced some time in combat. However, PTSD can occur in individuals who have never been in the military and have experienced traumatic events such as death, car accidents, divorce, or rape.
PTSD symptoms:
- Re-experiencing
- Avoidance
- Arousal and reactivity
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Fearful thoughts
What Are the Risk Factors for PTSD Symptoms?
Risk factors:
- Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
- Childhood abuse
- Military Personnel
- Anxiety or depression
- Substance or alcohol abuse
- Poor support system
- Combat exposure
- Childhood physical abuse
- Sexual violence
- Physical assault
- Being threatened with a weapon
- An accident
- Natural Disaster
- Experiencing death
Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.
How Can Thriveworks Ashland Help Treat PTSD?
While treatment may vary depending on the individual, the most prevalent treatments for people with PTSD are medications, psychotherapy or both.
The following may be used in treatment at Thriveworks Ashland:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their trauma, while teaching coping strategies to manage symptoms.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR involves recalling distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements), helping individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce associated distress.
- Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related stimuli or situations in a safe environment, allowing them to confront and process their fears, leading to decreased anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
- Medication: Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
- Group therapy: Participating in group therapy sessions with other trauma survivors provides opportunities for support, validation, and interpersonal connection, fostering healing and recovery.
- Mindfulness-based approaches: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and yoga can help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions, promoting emotional regulation and reducing reactivity to trauma triggers.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness skills, helping individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and cope with distressing experiences.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious conflicts contribute to current symptoms, offering insight and understanding into the underlying causes of PTSD while fostering emotional processing and healing.
Schedule Your Session Today
With support available from our scheduling specialists we invite you to call Thriveworks Ashland—because there’s no reason to delay getting a professional’s help. With a provider’s support, you can reclaim your life from the mental health challenges standing in your way.
