Trauma Therapy, Self-Worth Counseling, & Stress Management
Trauma Therapy
Trauma is a deeply distressing event that may have threatened one’s life, changed one’s physical being, or scarred us emotionally. It changes the way we see the world and interact with everything around us.
During traumatic events, we might experience
Loss of power or control,
betrayal,
abuse of power,
helplessness,
pain,
confusion.
Traumatic events can be global such as a pandemic, war, or a natural disaster, but they can also be nuanced to personal assaults, workplace harassment, or accidents. No matter the event, we focus on the response to the situation and healing from the event.
How our therapists treat trauma
Our trauma therapists look at the whole person, intentionally finding ways to calm the nervous system or re-calibrate it. We cannot take away the event, but we can try to change how we respond to it within our thinking and within our bodies. Sometimes what works for one person will not work for another.
At our practice, we offer trauma-informed care combining neuro-counseling (integrating counseling, education and understanding of how the brain works and why), cognitive behavioral counseling, mindfulness, and support integrating yoga, expression through art, writing, reading, music, and movement, exercise, breathing practices, group therapy, and building a support network. Trauma often leaves us without words to express ourself so we may need to gain healing through non-verbal processing.
We will provide with you a safe and caring environment to identify, explore, and recover in order to experience a more rewarding life, career, more fulfilling relationships and well being.
Counseling to Improve Your Self-Worth
Do you intentionally notice how you speak to yourself?
Most people speak more negatively to themselves than they would to another person. It is also true that few people would tolerate or allow someone to talk to another person as negatively as do can to ourselves. This way of thinking and monologuing impacts how we interact with others and how we view the world. We are overly harsh and critical but there can be light in this darkness.
Our counselors often ask clients, “Whose voice, is it?” Is it actually your voice speaking so negatively to you, or does it belong to another who mistreated you? It is an important question and indicates how we approach developing better self-worth. Together we will examine your self-talk. We may utilize mindfulness skills, self-affirmations, mantras, grounding activities, reframing, evidence thinking, and strengths-based approaches to improve your viewed self-worth and self-concept. We will remove those old recordings and replace them with purposeful, intentional, neutral and positive self-talk.
Stress Management
Stress can have severe implications in our lives. Difficulty managing emotions can cause negative health issues, damage our relationships, and affect our ability to work and enjoy our lives. By addressing the root causes, triggers and the thinking that occurs with your feelings of anger and/or stress, you will live the life you imagine.
Did you know that several of our counselors provide Walk-Talk Therapy?
We believe in the power and connection between our emotions and physical body. At our downtown location, we can provide you with the education and research behind the benefits of movement and mental health. We have an office with two treadmills overlooking the river. There you can walk and talk with your counselor in a weather-controlled environment. The act of walking while talking engages both sides of brain and allows you to process information differently from just sitting and talking. It also provides you with “positive brain chemicals” which improve your mood, and reduces your stress hormone, cortisol.
If you are interested in this approach, reach out and contact us today!
*Walk-Talk Therapy is not a “workout” and you must gain clearances from your physicians. Clients who choose to participate must sign waivers releasing Paula Kauffman Oberly, LPC, LLC and all staff from liability for any potential injury while utilizing the treadmill. Guidelines are in place to keep participants safe.