As a trauma survivor, what can I expect in therapy with Leslie Tourish?

Trauma can be paralyzing, lead to reckless behaviors, and even throw you into a depressive state.

In therapy, we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and then put our focus into achieving your goals towards a happier, more fulfilled, and less traumatized life. Be prepared, hard work will be involved, but the payoff is huge.

There is certainly a difference between living through a traumatic event and suffering from trauma, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The feelings of being stuck, replaying a trauma, or refusal to leave the house can often be signs of suffering from a higher level of trauma, and therapy may prove to be a good outlet for you.

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”

Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral’s Kiss

In my practice in Dripping Springs, or virtually throughout the state of Texas, often my first choice for treatment is using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This technique, hailed for its effectiveness in treating patients with trauma, starts with getting a full understanding of your history and what is bringing you to therapy, allowing me to determine your readiness to embark on EMDR. While effective, it can be draining and be harder before it gets easier.

In a therapy session for treating trauma, we may also use CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy), which is a process frequently overshadowed in popularity by EMDR, but it is still considered the gold standard for treating PTSD. Treatments including CBT typically focus on identifying unhealthy practices in your life and replacing them with positive coping skills. This would be seen in learning processing skills such as deep breathing, walking, listening to music, petting an animal, and more.

Always remember to call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if trauma symptoms have you so paralyzed you’re considering drastic measures to your life or those around you. Getting the help you deserve is always the priority.

The most important thing to know when deciding to schedule a free 15-minute therapeutic consultation with Leslie Tourish is you are in the driver’s seat. We’ll move as fast, or as slow, as your body and mind needs to feel comfortable. One method may not be as beneficial, so we’ll try another.