PTSD Counseling

PTSD Counseling

Stephanie Van Schaick, LMHC, C-DBT, CIMHP

Eating Disorder and Trauma Therapist

You were moving through life just fine until that one day came and everything changed. 

You had no idea that something so big would, or even could, happen to you that would cause your entire world to be turned upside down. Since this event happened to you, you have been struggling with feeling safe in your own body and environment. You don’t sleep very well nor do you ever feel rested or relaxed. You relive the event as though it’s happening all over again. It doesn’t feel like it’ll ever get better.

If this sounds like you, you may be suffering with “Big T” trauma. “Big T” trauma stems from a major event occurring in your life such as a physical or sexual assault, experiencing a natural disaster or a life-threatening event such as being victim of a violent crime or being involved in a car accident. Your trauma response occurs as a result of this traumatic event being too big for your mind to be able to properly process the experience in the moment. This trauma response can cause you to feel permanently on alert or shut-down altogether.

There is also another type of trauma that we call “little t” trauma that is caused from events such as emotional abuse, being bullied, losing important relationships or the death of a pet, amongst other things. “Little t” trauma responses can cause you to struggle with being able to trust others or make you feel that you have no control or power in your life. You are always on edge and waiting for the moment when the other shoe drops and the rug is pulled out from under you. You are living in a state of constant stress. You struggle with understanding why you are going through this since you don’t know why it started or you minimize what you have gone through since “everyone goes through this type of thing.” You tell yourself that you’re being over-dramatic and that you just need to “get over it.” Your experience is just as valid as the “Big T” traumas.

My Approach to Trauma Counseling

Whether you are struggling with “Big T” or “little t” trauma, there is help and you can get better.

I’m Stephanie and I help women, 15 years old and up, who have experienced trauma in their life. Having been a victim doesn’t make you a victim. I will help you to take control back over your life, learn how to trust again and live the life that you wish to live in spite of the trauma. I will help you to feel comfortable in your body and safe in your environment so that you no longer feel on edge or defined by your trauma. We will see each other twice a week for about 12 sessions. The approach that I use is called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and doesn’t require you to re-tell your story so that you can heal without having to relive your trauma. We will work intensely to identify and challenge your beliefs that are keeping you stuck and help you to:

  • Feel safe in your body and environment

  • Learn how to trust yourself and others again

  • Take your power back

  • Build up your self-esteem

  • Be open and able to experience intimacy in relationships

Trauma Counseling

Whether you have “Big T” or “little t” trauma, your experience is valid. You do not have to continue living this way. You are not defined by your trauma. 

If you are ready to feel empowered and in control of your life again, set up a FREE 15 minute phone consultation with me to discuss trauma counseling. To schedule a consultation, call (631)-317-1654 or e-mail Stateofbalancementalhealth@gmail.com or submit a request to be contacted here.

My specialties include online therapy for eating disorders, anorexia therapy, bulimia therapy, binge eating disorder therapy, body image therapy and trauma therapy. Online eating disorder treatment Long Island, NYC and Florida. Contact us today to schedule your free phone consultation for online therapy in New York and Florida.

 PTSD Counseling FAQs:

  • There are a few types of therapies that help with trauma. My approach to trauma therapy is called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). This is a structured type of therapy that lasts about 12 sessions and helps you to process the trauma without having to relive the traumatic experience. I have seen tremendous success with this approach. Other approaches include EMDR, trauma-focused CBT and prolonged exposure therapy.

  • The first step after you recognize that you need/want help is to get researching. Most therapists have websites with a ton of information about what they work with and how. Look up trauma therapists and set up a consultation call with any prospective therapists. From there, ask about any questions or concerns you may have as well as ask them about their approach to treating trauma.

  • Unprocessed trauma can look different for everyone. Some common experiences include having nightmares, being easily startled, often feeling alert or unsafe. Any reminders of the traumatic experience can feel like you are reliving it again. Trauma counseling will help you to properly process the trauma in order to drastically lessen or eliminate these undesirable experiences.

It is time to start feeling better. Schedule your consultation call for Trauma Counseling today.