PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be very frightening and frustrating. It can also be misdiagnosed as anxiety and/or depression since some of the symptoms experienced can mimic these mental health disorders. Symptoms of PTSD can include feelings of overwhelm, feeling "on edge", hypervigilance, excessive worry, overthinking, irritability, nightmares, intense and unwanted memories of the trauma, trouble sleeping, and depressed mood among others.
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The trauma(s) associated with PTSD may be recent or from many years ago. For many people, they function fine until they don't. Often it is at this time that people will seek help. For some people, though, this process can take many years until they find the courage to be able to share their trauma with someone else. This is not a process that can be rushed. If someone is not ready to address the trauma, it can be more damaging than helpful to force them. While it is normal to have increased stress after a traumatic event, if the symptoms persist longer than 3 months, it is time to see a therapist.
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Seeinga therapist and talking about traumatic events in your life, can be very scary. But being able to share some things with your therapist is an important part of the healing process. The goal of therapy is not to retraumatize you, but to strengthen you and help you move forward. The right therapist will work with you and walk alongside you. The process should not feel rushed, but and you should feel respected and heard.
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Finding the right therapist is crucial. Having an initial consultation with a potential therapist can help you determine if it is a good fit, or if you should keep looking. The consultation is like a job interview. You are interviewing the therapist to determine if this is someone you could work with, and the therapist should be interviewing you to determine if they have the skillset and experience needed to help you need. Be prepared to ask questions about their credentials, licensing, education, and experience. You should also ask about the frequency of session and schedule availability.
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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. I have been a Christian counselor for more than 15 years. I have worked in churches, in group settings, and now am a solo practitioner. I graduated with a Psychology degree, minor in Communications from Wesleyan College. I earned a MS degree in Community Counseling from Columbus State University. Working from a Cognitive Behavioral therapy perspective, I incorporate Biblical principles including Bible reading and prayer into the counseling process. I typically prefer to see clients once a week in the beginning. This can be reevaluated from time to time with the goal of moving toward more infrequent sessions, depending on client status and progress. I do not offer evening or weekend appointments but can accommodate lunch time appointments, if needed. Telehealth and in-person appointments are available.
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Are you ready to schedule a consultation for counseling? Just click the button below:
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