Trauma

Some people get over a traumatic event in a few weeks; others struggle with long-lasting, debilitating symptoms that disrupt their daily life. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Debra Black-Mayo, MS, LPC, CCTP, CDBT, at Mayo Counseling Center, LLC, specializes in helping people overcome trauma. Debra is highly trained in trauma-focused therapies, including being certified in dialectical behavior therapy and providing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) services. If you’re ready to move beyond trauma, call the office in Chandler, Arizona, or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

What causes trauma?

Trauma often occurs after you experience or witness a dangerous, frightening, or life-threatening event. However, you can also develop trauma through ongoing exposure to stress, such as emotional abuse.

The events that most often cause trauma include:

• Sexual assault
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Childhood neglect
• Military duty
• Gun violence
• Domestic violence
• Car crashes and other accidents
• Robbery or household invasion
• Death or serious illness of a friend or loved
• Natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes)

Bullying and intimidation also can cause trauma.

What mental health disorders are associated with trauma?

A few examples of trauma-related disorders include:

Acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder refers to intense symptoms that occur immediately after a traumatic event, including:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Difficulty sleeping

You may purposefully avoid people and places that remind you of the traumatic event. When you encounter a reminder, it triggers an extreme response like anger or aggression.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

When the symptoms of acute stress disorder last longer than a month, you have PTSD. PTSD symptoms typically get worse and become debilitating for many people.

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)

RAD occurs when infants and young children don’t form a healthy bond with their parental figures, usually due to abuse or emotional neglect. Without therapy, the emotional and psychological fallout affect you throughout adulthood.

Adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorder refers to having a hard time adjusting to life transitions like moving or separating from a partner. Symptoms like anxiety, depression, sadness, and anger, occur within three months of the stressful event and cause significant distress.

How is trauma treated?

As a specialist in trauma-based therapies, Debra creates a care plan using the type of therapy that fits your needs and goals. She offers specialized therapies that are highly effective for people who need to work through past trauma, including:

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Attachment-based therapy
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Inner child work

Each therapy takes a different approach to helping you overcome trauma. After reviewing your medical history and symptoms and completing a psychiatric evaluation, Debra recommends a specific therapy and explains what to expect.

If you struggle with ongoing symptoms caused by trauma, call Mayo Counseling Center, LLC, or use online booking to request an in-person or telehealth appointment.