Trauma

Trauma Therapy in New York

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What is trauma?

A traumatic experience is one that is so stressful that it overwhelms the capacity of one’s mind to process and make sense of what happened. These are usually experiences that pose a significant threat to physical or emotional well-being. Some examples include:

A natural disaster
Accident
Exposure to violence
Abuse
Combat experiences
Sudden loss of a loved one
Severe illness or surgery

During a traumatic event, your body may go into fight or flight mode, preparing you to attack or escape from a threat. Or, your body can respond by freezing, leaving you feeling helpless and unable to cope. Emotional responses to trauma can include intense fear, helplessness, horror, confusion, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Often there is an associated sense of shock, disbelief, or emotional numbness that serves to protect you from the overwhelming emotions associated with the trauma.

When these traumatic experiences remain unprocessed, they can have long-lasting effects on your mental and emotional well-being, impacting your ability to function in daily life, form healthy relationships, and regulate your emotions.

Some long-lasting impacts of unprocessed trauma on psychological well-being include:

Mood Disturbances: mood swings, irritability, anger, sadness, or emotional numbness.
Negative Self-Perception: feelings of guilt, shame, or a sense of responsibility for the traumatic event.
Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Problems
Emotional Dysregulation: difficulty in managing emotions, with frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts.

Social Withdrawal: withdrawing from social interactions and isolating yourself as a way of coping with the trauma.

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Types of trauma

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a specific mental health condition that can develop in some individuals following exposure to a traumatic event.

Common symptoms of PTSD include:

flashbacks
nightmares
intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event
avoidance of reminders of the trauma
heightened arousal (e.g., increased irritability, difficulty sleeping)
negative changes in mood or thoughts.

To be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must persist for an extended period (typically at least one month) and significantly disrupt your daily life.

Early relational trauma refers to the experience of distress, harm, or disrupted attachment at the hands of primary caregivers that occur during infancy, childhood, or early adolescence. This can take various forms, including

physical abuse
emotional neglect
sexual abuse
witnessing domestic violence
separation from primary caregivers (e.g., due to hospitalization or adoption)
exposure to other forms of family dysfunction or instability

These early relationships are crucial for a child’s emotional, psychological, and social development, and when they are marked by trauma or adversity, they can have lasting effects on well-being.

Impacts of early relational trauma can include:

attachment disorders
developmental delays
behavioral problems
low self-esteem
difficulty regulating emotions
impaired interpersonal relationships
increased risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders
adopting maladaptive coping strategies

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences early relational trauma will experience long-term negative consequences. The presence of supportive, nurturing relationships can mitigate the impact of trauma. Many individuals can recover and heal through therapy, self-care, and building healthy relationships.

about me

Marina Rozenberg, MD.

Clinical psychiatrist and therapist

I’ve been a practicing internal medicine physician since 2004. In the process of going through my own healing journey, I realized that I wanted to learn to use the tools that were most valuable to me in order to help others in their pursuit of more meaningful and genuine lives. To that end, I completed a 4-year postgraduate training program in Bioenergetic Analysis, and additional postgraduate programs in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I am currently enrolled as a psychoanalytic candidate at the Object Relations Institute in NYC.

about me

Trauma therapy

The process of working through trauma (including early relational trauma and PTSD) in psychodynamic psychotherapy can include the following:

Exploring early life experiences, including relationships with caregivers, to see how these early experiences have influenced current emotional and relational patterns.
Understanding defense mechanisms that you developed to help you cope with overwhelming emotions during traumatic events. While these defense mechanism were once essential for survival, they often become obstacles to adequately processing traumatic events once the traumatic situation has passed.
Exploring the feelings and reactions that arise within the therapeutic relationship, which is known as transference. You may begin to experience our interactions in a way that feels familiar to you from past experiences (both positive and negative). This can allow us to get a more immediate sense of cut-off emotions and unresolved issues from the past that may otherwise be difficult to access or verbalize.
Exploring and processing emotions related to trauma, including fear, anger, shame, and grief.
Working through unresolved conflicts and emotional pain associated with early relational trauma. This involved examining and processing difficult emotions and developing healthier coping strategies.
Integrating traumatic memories, bringing fragmented or repressed memories into conscious awareness.

Psychodynamic therapy is often considered a longer-term approach, as it involves deep self-exploration and insight. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with complex trauma histories and deep-seated emotional wounds.

To get started with trauma please submit this form or call me to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.

conditions

I work with adults of all ages who are seeking help for the following conditions

Oct 26

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Conditions

Trauma

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Oct 26

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Conditions

Personality Disorders

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Oct 26

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Conditions

Loss or Grief

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Oct 26

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Conditions

Chronic Pain or Illness

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What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to a distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting physical and psychological effects. It can be the result of a single event, like a natural disaster or an assault, or from prolonged exposure to harmful situations, such as abuse or warfare. Traumatic events can lead to feelings of helplessness, fear, shock, or disbelief. The emotional response to trauma varies between individuals, with some developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related conditions.

How to Recover from Emotional Trauma?

Professional Support: Seeking help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma can be invaluable in the healing process.
Self-Care: Prioritizing activities that help you relax and recharge, such as reading, taking baths, or practicing meditation.
Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Substances might seem like they offer temporary relief but can hinder recovery and potentially lead to more problems.
Stay Connected: Lean on your support system – friends, family, or support groups who understand and can offer encouragement.
Establish a Routine: Maintaining a regular routine can provide a feeling of normality.
Avoid Isolation: While it’s tempting to withdraw, being around supportive people can hasten recovery.
Limit Exposure: Reduce exposure to triggers or reminders of the trauma until you’re more equipped to handle them.
Educate Yourself: Understanding trauma can help you feel more in control.

Why is Trauma Therapy So Hard?

Revisiting Painful Memories: Trauma therapy often requires revisiting traumatic events, which can be emotionally distressing.
Emotional Overwhelm: Addressing trauma can bring up intense feelings of anger, sadness, or guilt.
Physical Reactions: Talking about or thinking of the trauma can cause physical reactions, like sweating, shaking, or heart palpitations.
Fear of Judgment: Some might fear being judged or misunderstood when sharing their experiences.
Guilt or Shame: Traumatic events, especially if they involve abuse or assault, can lead to feelings of shame or guilt, making therapy challenging.
Repressed Memories: Some traumatic memories might be repressed, and uncovering them can be unsettling.
Therapeutic Misalignment: Finding the right therapeutic approach or therapist can be a trial and error process, which can be frustrating.
Change is Difficult: Trauma often changes one’s worldview, sense of self, or perception of safety. Adjusting these deeply held beliefs and feelings is challenging.