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Trauma Therapy

Did something terrible that happen to you that still interferes with your life today? Have you experienced a traumatic event and had difficulty letting go of it emotionally and mentally? Are you frequently reminded of a past traumatic incident? Does it affect your daily life? Do you wonder if PTSD treatment might be right for you?

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​Symptoms of posttraumatic stress can be deeply disturbing and interfere with how you think, feel, and behave. You may distrust other people. It may lower your self-esteem. After a traumatic event, you might be:

  • reliving it in dreams, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts;

  • feeling anxious and afraid to do new things;

  • becoming disconnected, or numb and detached;

  • questioning whether what is happening to you is real (derealization);

  • feeling as though you don't really exist (depersonalization);

  • struggling with relationships or trust;

  • emotionally reactive or easily irritated;

  • easily triggered by reminders of the trauma;

  • feeling higher sensitivity to sounds, light, and sudden movement; or

  • doubting yourself putting up with unacceptable behavior.

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​​You might get sick more easily because of the constant stress of being on high alert. Your appetite and sleep might also be disrupted. You might withdraw from others, or worry something bad will happen again. ​You might wonder about PTSD and therapy, and how it could help you.

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Thankfully, you don’t have to feel this way forever. Post traumatic stress treatment can help you feel calmer, more connected to others, and clearer about what’s in the past and what’s in the present.

Learn how to cope better with trauma

woman in dark, covering her face with her hands

Your traumatic response is natural...

Whether your trauma happened to you as an adult or as a child or teen, it can leave a wound and live on in your body long after the incident is done, and you've stopped thinking about it. You may get panic attacks when something reminds you of the trauma, or you may feel unsafe in public places or in intimate relationships. Your mood may suffer because you feel hopeless and helpless, as a result of the trauma. 

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If you suffer from posttraumatic stress, you are not alone. According to the National Center for PTSD and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), you have a 6.8% chance of developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during your life as an adult, or 5% chance as an adolescent. Girls and women are more likely to develop PTSD, but males are also negatively impacted by PTSD. Luckily, there are many trauma therapy techniques that can help you heal and get your life back.

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PTSD used to be called shellshocked when soldiers returned from combat. Over time, more sources of PTSD were recognized in civilians, so more people could receive treatment for it. As I noted above, not everyone who experiences a traumatic will develop PTSD. But in case you do suffer from this, PTSD therapy can be a game-changer that you'll thank yourself for in years to come.

PTSD Treatment: Recovering from Trauma

If you're experiencing trauma-related anxiety, depression, or PTSD, effective treatment can help you regain a sense of safety, stability, and normalcy. Through PTSD therapy, you can learn to manage your emotions, process past traumatic experiences, and recognize that trauma is something that happened to you—not something that defines you. With the right support, you can grow from the experience and improve your quality of life.

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You may wonder how to treat PTSD. Fortunately, I offer a variety of trauma therapy techniques in my individual and relationship therapy for adults and trauma survivors. I have extensive training and certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—a highly effective, evidence-based trauma therapy that I’ve been practicing for over 15 years. I also incorporate Flash Technique and hypnotherapy to help resolve trauma in ways that suit your unique needs. I also use a Solution-Focused approach to my work that emphasizes your strengths and best hopes for therapy. My approach to trauma therapy is tailored to support you in finding safety, calm, and confidence as you navigate life’s challenges.

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EMDR therapy can help with reducing reactivity and making the memory less upsetting. Flash Technique can also quickly reduce the intensity of the memories, making them more manageable for you. Clinical hypnosis helps you view yourself in the traumatic incident from a safe distance, and helps you see the memory from a different perspective. It also helps manage anxiety and depressed mood. All these trauma therapy techniques can work together seamlessly to help you heal from the painful past.

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What to Expect in Trauma Therapy with Me

Every person is different, and so is their story. That’s why my approach is customized to fit your individual needs.

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In our first session, we’ll discuss your history, current symptoms, and how they’re affecting your life. More importantly, we’ll talk about your goals—how you want to think, feel, and function moving forward. While your past is important in PTSD treatment, I believe that where you’re headed is just as critical.

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A key part of our initial work is strengthening your current coping skills. Before processing past trauma, I want to ensure you feel safe and have healthy ways to regulate your emotions. This is a fundamental requirement of effective PTSD counseling. This assessment phase lays the foundation for long-term mental stability.

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Once we've built up your internal resources, we’ll explore the best treatment options for you. I’ll recommend a path based on my expertise, but therapy is always a collaborative process—your input matters! I’ll explain what each treatment involves and move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. PTSD treatment can be empowering and exciting.

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As we progress through trauma processing, I’ll regularly check in to ensure the approach is working and address any concerns. Over time, as your goals start to take shape, you’ll feel excited about the progress you’ve made, and eager for more improvement. Healing is possible, and I’m here to help guide you through it. Trauma treatment is a gift to yourself that pays off for years and decades to come.

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You may have some questions or concerns about trauma therapy...

brown hands holding a heart shaped stone etched with the word hope; photo: Ronak Vahobobhai

It’s perfectly understandable to have questions about any treatment you start, and have some misgivings about its effectiveness. Some commonly asked questions include…

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  • Will you have to relive every little detail of the traumatic incident?

For most of the trauma therapy that I offer, you don’t have to go into great detail about what happened to you. This is especially true for Flash Therapy, which involves minimal exposure to the traumatic memory. I help prepare you for the exposure that you do have to the traumatic memory, but when you’re in PTSD therapy, you’re in a safe environment with a skilled professional and enough coping skills to process the trauma and put it squarely in the past.

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  • Will you spend years in therapy and never really get over the trauma?

The trauma treatments I offer are short-term, effective, and backed by research. Many clients experience improvement in a relatively short time. The length of PTSD treatment depends on the type and severity of your traumatic experiences, but even those with complex PTSD have seen significant symptom relief sooner than they expected.

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  • Will trauma treatment help me even if I’m not severely impacted?

Yes, you don’t have to be severely ill with PTSD to benefit from trauma therapy. Sometimes you're doing well in most areas of your life, but suffer from unprocessed trauma in one area. For example, a sexual abuse survivor might do well at work, but freeze up sexually. With over 20 years’ experience with trauma survivors, I have worked with people with various levels of trauma impact. I offer PTSD treatment tailored to your specific needs and situation.

Trauma therapy is worth your time and energy

I have seen clients go from having daily panic attacks and being distant from their families and friends, to enjoying relationships and feeling confident in going to work, driving, and living a full, happier life. Clients have changed their relationships, gone after jobs they've wanted, and reduced fights with their lovers. When they give me credit for helping them in their improvement, I remind them that they worked just as much as I did. I offer the PTSD trauma therapy, but they choose to participate and take the changes home into their lives. It's a collaborative effort, one I'm honored to be part of. Nonetheless, I'm always happy to know I played a part in their healing.

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With over 20 years as a trauma therapist working with survivors young and old, and over 15 years' experience as an EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, I have the expertise and passion to help you heal from your traumatic past. I'm eager to see how trauma therapy will free you up to be your best self and have a better life. I believe in your power to have a better life, and I'm committed to helping you make that happen.

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If you'd like to boost your PTSD therapy with my self-help video program for adult trauma survivors, you can also check that out in my shop by clicking this link.

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Is it time for you to take charge of your healing journey and start to heal from the painful past in post traumatic stress treatment? Please contact me by calling or clicking the button below, so you can start to feel calm, confident and connected.

Online Trauma Therapy in Lancaster, CA

Lisa S. Larsen, Psy.D.(she/her/hers)

3123 W Ave L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536

+16612336771​​

 

Business Hours: Tues-Fri., 10 AM-7 PM​

 

No In-person sessions offered at this address. ​

 

Appointments can be made by calling the office or submitting the contact form. Thank you, and I look forward to speaking with you soon!

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