PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

After a traumatic event, it’s common to experience a mix of complicated emotion, upsetting memories, difficulty sleeping, feeling on edge or alternating numbness and detachment and grappling with a violated view of self and the world. While these reactions are common and often fade over time, some may find that these experiences persist, causing significant distress and disruption to daily life- feeling stuck and broken.

You might think of traumatic memories like spoiled leftovers: the thought of opening the container and facing the unpleasant smell can feel so intimidating that it seems easier to seal it tight and push it further back on the shelf. While this might seem like a way to avoid discomfort, the smell inevitably begins to seep out over time. If left unchecked, the entire fridge can begin to reek, and eventually, everything inside can start to carry that same unpleasant odor.

Avoidance may offer temporary relief, but it can ultimately keep you from clearing out what’s causing the discomfort and prevent you from fully experiencing life.

Co-occuring PTSD and OCD

While PTSD and OCD are distinct disorders, they can occur together. Both share common features, including unwanted intrusive thoughts or memories that can trigger rituals, safety behaviors or avoidance strategies to alleviate distress. In some cases, compulsive behaviors may emerge as a way to regain control or prevent further harm after a traumatic event. While the behaviors may look similar in both disorders, identifying the underlying emotion and fear associated with the behavior can help distinguish whether it's linked to OCD or PTSD. Understanding the intersection between PTSD and OCD is key to building insight and helps inform more effective treatment approaches for individuals struggling with both.

How I Can Help with PTSD

Prolonged Exposures (PE)

PE is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy effective for treating trauma and PTSD.

PE involves gradually revisiting the traumatic memory to emotionally process the experience. By consistently facing difficult memories, in a safe and empowering manner, the fear and distress tend to lessen over time.
This doesn’t mean that the traumatic experience goes away, but it's a start to creating space for healing, recovery and more room for new life experiences.

Trauma-Informed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Trauma-Informed ACT emphasizes the importance of understanding and validating the impact of trauma while using the core principles of ACT to foster healing.

This approach emphasizes that trauma-related thoughts, emotions and memories are a natural response to past events.
Instead of pushing these experiences away or battling them, trauma-informed ACT encourages willingness, mindfulness, and psychological flexibility.
It can support you in reclaiming your life and move forward in a way that aligns with your values.
The goal is not to "fix" trauma, but to live a rich, meaningful life despite it.