Trauma Therapy
and Counseling Services
New York Trauma Therapy
Trauma can come in many forms and can have a profound effect on your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Whether you’ve experienced traumatic events in the past, or are currently dealing with a potentially traumatic situation, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and frightened by your emotions and memories. We encourage you to seek help sooner or later if you’re struggling with the distressing effects of trauma. At Looking Glass NYC, we know that seeking help is difficult yet necessary for those struggling with trauma-related mental health conditions. It’s our aim to provide empathetic, specialized care tailored to meet the individual needs of our patients. Our dedicated team is here to support you in your healing journey and provide a safe space for you to begin processing your traumatic experiences. If you are suffering from trauma, remember that you are not alone. At Looking Glass NYC, we are here to listen and provide the care and resources necessary for a successful recovery from trauma-related mental health conditions.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or life-threatening event. It can cause feelings of shock, fear, helplessness, and anxiety. Trauma can also lead to physical symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. People who have experienced trauma may also experience flashbacks or nightmares related to the event.
It is important to note that everyone responds differently to traumatic events and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing trauma. It is important for those who have experienced trauma to seek help from a mental health professional in order to process their emotions and develop coping strategies.
Types Of Trauma
There are three main types of trauma: acute trauma, chronic trauma, and complex trauma.
1. Acute trauma is a single event that causes distress or puts someone in danger. Examples include car accidents, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, violent assaults such as rape or mugging, and traumatic losses such as the death of a loved one.
2. Chronic trauma occurs when someone experiences multiple traumatic events over time. This type of trauma often results from ongoing abuse or neglect in childhood or adulthood.
3. Complex trauma is the result of exposure to multiple traumatic events that occur over time and involve direct harm to an individual’s physical and psychological well-being. Examples also include prolonged domestic violence.
It is important to recognize the signs of each type of trauma so that individuals can receive appropriate care and support for their mental health needs. If you think you may be experiencing any type of trauma, it is important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional who can provide structured treatment and support for your unique needs.
Signs a Trauma Therapist Might be Right for You
Trauma therapy can be a powerful tool for those who have experienced a traumatic event and are struggling with its aftermath. It is important to recognize the signs that may indicate you could benefit from trauma therapy so that you can take steps to seek help and begin your healing journey.
Below are some of the signs that may indicate you could benefit from trauma therapy:
- Intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Intense anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt or shame.
- Anger or irritability
- Shock or numbness
- Eating disturbances
- Sleep disturbances
- Somatic complaints (e.g., headaches, stomach aches)
- Clingy/separation anxiety
- Feeling helpless/passive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Self-destructive behavior (e.g., drinking too much, driving too fast)
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to reach out for help as soon as possible. Trauma therapy can help you build your confidence and provide a safe space for you to process your emotions and work through the trauma in a supportive environment. With the right support, it is possible to heal from trauma and move forward in life with greater resilience and strength.
Types of Therapy for Trauma
At Looking Glass Psychology, we recognize the diverse impact of traumatic experiences and provide specialized therapy services tailored to each unique form of trauma. Our dedicated therapists are equipped to support individuals through various categories of trauma, each with its own approach to healing and recovery:
Focused on healing from the physical and psychological scars of abuse, empowering individuals to reclaim their body and mind.
Aims to rebuild self-esteem and emotional stability, addressing the deep-seated effects of non-physical abuse.
Focused on processing traumatic experiences that occurred during your childhood.
Provides a safe and confidential space to heal from past sexual trauma, restoring trust and personal autonomy.
Offers strategies for safety, coping, and healing from the cycle of abuse within intimate relationships and families.
Helps individuals navigate the intense sorrow following the loss of a loved one, facilitating a path through grief toward recovery.
Addresses the psychological aftermath of surviving natural calamities, focusing on overcoming fear and rebuilding a sense of security.
Assists in the emotional recovery from life-altering injuries or accidents, helping to alleviate anxiety and fear.
Provides care for those who have been traumatized by witnessing violence or traumatic events, aiding in processing and recovery.
Looking Glass Psychology is committed to offering compassionate, personalized therapy for all forms of trauma. Our therapists utilize a range of evidence-based techniques to help individuals understand their experiences, develop coping strategies, and embark on a healing journey. Each category of therapy is designed to meet you where you are, providing the support and guidance needed to move forward.
Trauma Therapy FAQs
Yes, it’s entirely possible to have a pre-existing mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder alongside PTSD or as an effect of PTSD. Having a co-occurring mental health condition does not protect you from potentially developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, having a pre-existing mental health condition may make an individual more vulnerable to developing PTSD.
Additionally, people who have multiple underlying vulnerabilities, like low self-esteem, difficulty regulating emotions, and lack of social support, may also be at higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms following a traumatic event.
These underlying vulnerabilities can make it difficult for someone to cope with the trauma in healthy ways and can increase their likelihood of developing PTSD and other trauma-related mental health conditions.
Sometimes, PTSD can lead to other disorders, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, depression, and mood disorders.
It is important to note that everyone reacts differently to trauma, and individuals with similar backgrounds or the same types of traumas do not necessarily experience the same reactions. If you have experienced a traumatic event and are concerned about the possibility of developing PTSD or another trauma-related mental health condition, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional who can assess your individual needs.
Trauma can be experienced at any age. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16.
The mean age at first exposure to any trauma was 11.4, but ranged between one year of age through age 62. Additionally, teenagers are particularly vulnerable to trauma due to their developing brains, and even infants can experience traumatic events that have long-term effects on their development.
It is important to note that not all overwhelming or life-threatening experiences are necessarily traumatic for everyone; how a person experiences a traumatic event and expresses lingering distress depends on their age and level of development.
Yes, trauma is both a mental and physical experience for many people. Traumatic experiences can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and digestive issues. They can also cause psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.
The physical symptoms of trauma are often the result of the body’s natural response to stress. When faced with a traumatic event, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that increase heart rate and blood pressure. This is known as the “fight or flight” response and is designed to help us survive dangerous situations. However, if this response is triggered too often or for too long, it can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and digestive issues.
It is important for those who have experienced trauma to seek professional help in order to cope with its effects on their body and mind. A therapist or counselor can provide support while helping individuals process their emotions in a healthy way so they can move forward in life without being held back by their traumatic experience(s).
During your first session, your trauma therapist will ask you questions to get to know you and understand your reasons for coming to therapy. Your therapist will want to learn about your history, what’s going on with you now, and learn about what you want to get out of therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask them questions about how therapy works so you know what to expect.
The amount of time trauma therapy takes is different for each person. If you’re dealing with a new trauma or a singular experience, treatment may take less time than if you have been living with your trauma for years or if you have experienced multiple traumatic events. For some, therapy is short-term, taking just a few months until they are satisfied with their progress. For others, therapy will become a part of their routine, helping them manage ongoing concerns in their life and having a safe outlet for them to explore themselves, their patterns, and understand themselves on a deeper level.
With the rise in virtual therapy, it makes sense to want to know more about how it works. Research shows that virtual trauma therapy has the same benefits as therapy that takes place face-to-face. Virtual therapy is an effective way to fit therapy into your busy schedule, as it allows you to talk to your therapist in the comfort of your own home. With virtual therapy, you avoid the hurdles that can happen with face-to-face appointments, such as scheduling conflicts, traffic, and travel time. In order to make the most of your virtual session, meet with your therapist in a private space in your home and have a good internet connection.
You’ve decided to take that next step and start trauma therapy, and it can feel overwhelming to decide on a therapist. That’s why we offer a complimentary consultation call with a Looking Glass Intake Coordinator to help you make an informed choice. Every therapist has different strengths and styles that they bring to sessions. When you are in the process of selecting a therapist, talk to your coordinator about what you want to get out of therapy so you can rest assured that you are matched with the right person for you. After all, therapy is all about creating a space where you feel comfortable to open up, so finding a therapist that you click with is the first step on your journey!
Starting from your first session, you and your therapist will talk about what you want to get out of trauma therapy. You may come in with a very specific goal, or you may use therapy as a space to talk about ongoing events in your life. Regardless of your therapy goals, your therapist will create a comfortable space for you to talk about how therapy is going so you are both on the same page about the process. Ultimately, you will get more out of therapy if you are willing to put more into it. Growth takes place when you are willing to reflect on yourself and take what you are learning during sessions out into the world with you. Below are a few signs of progress that clients typically note:
- You start noticing that your symptoms (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc.) are less frequent or intense than before.
- You’re able to function better at work, school, or in your personal relationships.
- You start to find that you have a better understanding of yourself, your feelings, and your behaviors. You’ve gained insights and are making connections that you didn’t make before.
- You might be using new coping skills that you’ve learned in therapy, and they’re helping in your daily life.
- People close to you may tell you that they have noticed positive changes.
Looking Glass Psychology is Out-of-Network with health insurance. If you have an Out-of-Network or PPO insurance plan, your insurance will refund a large portion of each session, as long as you have met your Out-of-Network deductible. After each appointment, we’ll supply you with a receipt called a superbill or reimbursement form. To submit for a partial refund, simply log into your health insurance portal to enter the information listed on your superbill. If you have an Out-of-Network plan and have met your Out-of-Network deductible, your health plan will mail the partial refund in the form of a check to your home a few weeks after each appointment. Questions? Email info@LookingGlassNYC.com or chat with us live during business hours by clicking the “Message Us” button on this page.
Your appointment request is our top priority, so we’ll get you on the schedule as soon as possible – no waitlists, and no hassle. Many of our clinicians offer both in-person and video appointments in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, or even weekends. To request an appointment, click the following link: https://lookingglassnyc.clientsecure.me or chat with us live during business hours by text or call our main office line, (646) 760-3399.
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Dr. Gindy is wonderful. My life has changed dramatically for the better. My mental health along with my personal development has taken huge leaps forward in such a short period. My time spent with Dr. Gindy is invaluable. My only regret is not meeting her sooner.
