Healing Hearts and Minds With PTSD Therapy in San Diego, CA
PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that can affect anyone who has gone through a traumatic event. You might not realize it, but if you find yourself easily startled, having trouble sleeping, feeling disconnected from those around you, or avoiding places and situations that remind you of a difficult experience, these could be signs of PTSD. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re reliving parts of the trauma or feeling overwhelmed by memories that pop up unexpectedly. While these are natural responses, they can make life challenging. That’s why it’s worth trying PTSD therapy.
At A New View of You, we are proud to provide a safe place for those with trauma in San Diego, California, to receive compassionate treatment tailored to their needs. We offer a specialized telehealth approach to PTSD therapy, helping clients process trauma in a structured and effective way. Our trauma therapy services are rooted in the Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR) method, a neuroscience-backed approach that empowers individuals to heal from past experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
The Truth Behind Psychological Trauma
Psychological trauma can be caused by any number of distressing events, including emotional or physical abuse, sexual or physical assault, combat, or natural disasters. The trauma caused by these events can be long-lasting and deeply painful, particularly for people with post-traumatic stress disorder. For those with PTSD, the healing process that would normally gradually lessen the effects of trauma does not work properly.
Instead, people with PTSD find themselves unable to heal from their traumatic event; it becomes an almost all-encompassing characteristic of their thought processes, habits, and feelings. The result is a wide variety of both physical and psychological symptoms that are emotionally and physically debilitating, such as:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Avoidance of trauma-related thoughts or places
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Hypervigilance or being easily startled
- Anxiety, depression, or dissociation
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
If not treated by a trauma therapist, these symptoms can lead to social and professional withdrawal, interpersonal conflict, isolation, self-destructive habits, and inner turmoil.
When PTSD Goes Further: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a related but distinct condition from PTSD. CPTSD typically results from repeated and prolonged trauma, such as child abuse, domestic violence, or human trafficking. The symptoms of CPTSD can be similar to those of PTSD, but also include feelings of abandonment, a distorted sense of self, and difficulties in regulating emotions. People with CPTSD may struggle with trust and relationships and have a heightened sensitivity to triggers.
How CPTSD and PTSD are Different
The key difference between CPTSD and PTSD lies in the nature and duration of the traumatic events experienced. PTSD typically stems from a single traumatic event, while CPTSD results from repeated and prolonged trauma. This difference is reflected in the symptoms and treatment approaches for each condition. While both PTSD and CPTSD can cause feelings of anxiety, irritability, and avoidance, people with CPTSD are more likely to struggle with feelings of abandonment and a distorted sense of self. They may also have a harder time regulating their emotions and trusting others.
In terms of treatment, the approaches for PTSD and CPTSD may overlap, but specialized treatment is often needed to address the unique challenges posed by the condition.
CPTSD in Veteran Mental Health
Veterans are at a higher risk of developing CPTSD due to the repeated and prolonged trauma they may experience during their service. This can include exposure to combat, sexual assault, and other traumatic events.
The unique challenges faced by veterans with CPTSD can include difficulty adjusting to civilian life, as well as a heightened sensitivity to triggers related to their military service. It is important for veterans with CPTSD to receive specialized treatment that addresses these unique challenges and helps them manage their symptoms.
A Specialized Approach: The Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR)
At A New View of You, we specialize in Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR) therapy, a groundbreaking method of trauma therapy designed to help clients fully resolve their trauma in a short, structured timeframe. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which can take months or years, ITR works intensively to process and reorganize traumatic memories in approximately 20 hours of work. This approach integrates neuroscience, parts psychology, art therapy, and somatic techniques to create lasting change. Clients leave therapy equipped with lifelong tools to continue their healing journey independently.
PTSD Treatment From the Comfort of Your San Diego Home
CPTSD and PTSD are two related but distinct mental health conditions that can result from trauma. Understanding the difference between these two conditions is crucial, especially for veterans who are at a higher risk of developing CPTSD. Treatment for CPTSD and PTSD often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and complementary therapies, and specialized treatment is often needed to address the unique challenges posed by CPTSD.
With trauma therapy from A New View of You, you can access effective PTSD treatment from the comfort of your San Diego home. If you’re ready to put the past behind you and regain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind to face the future, reach out to us today. Let’s work together to create a path toward lasting healing!