Therapy for trauma and PTSD in New York City

There are all kinds of trauma. Besides the things commonly thought of as traumatic, like abuse or a tragic accident, there are long-term crises like bankruptcy, bereavement or dealing with the long-term illness of a loved one.

Whether trauma takes the form of a short brief shock or something over time, we as human animals respond in ways that are natural attempts to heal and reduce the pain.

This does not mean everyone feels the same. People respond to a trauma in a variety of ways, depending on who they were before the trauma.

Early in my career, I worked with people who were children of of concentration camps survivors. Some of them experienced "identification with the aggressor." This means they adopted the ruthless nature of their captors as a way to survive that situation.

Seeking transformation through New York City therapy

Other people in the same situation did not take on that particular survival method, but they have their own. They seek transformation when the survival skills, which helped them earlier, cause problems in the present.

Understand that I mean "transformation" quite literally. I want to help people and relationships "change form" so that they experience more of the satisfactions available in life.

This does not mean changing the core, or soul, of a person. Rather, we seek to change form when the current form is not a useful vehicle for the soul's expression.

Therapy for PTSD and trauma

Although I do not practice the particular religion of my childhood, I still have a strong concept of the soul. Trauma, no matter how bad doe not have to ruin the soul.

A person's soul is as unique as a fingerprint. I often tell clients that the soul must be respected. I will also tell them if I feel they are not respecting their souls in the choices they make.

There is an Irish proverb that says, "Anybody can have your soul if they want it more than you do." That is why we say rape is not about sex. It is about someone ripping away your belief in yourself.

I once worked with a woman who was sexually abused from the age of 3 to 14. She had some struggles, but there are people who were abused just once who were much more debilitated than she. Dedication to the soul, willingness to transform, these make a difference.

Responding to traumatic events in New York City

There are the issues we bring with us into a traumatic event, and then there is the issue of how people respond.

For instance, one little girl was abducted, beaten and raped when very young. Her parents responded by taking her to therapy and going to therapy themselves. She grew up, went to college and had a successful life.

On the other hand, I had female clients over the years that were raped and then the situation was made worse by how their husbands handled it. They often did not know how to handle their own feelings around what happened to the women they loved.

Recovering from grief and trauma through therapy

I help my clients recover a belief in themselves that does not entail putting someone else down. If someone is a gay man who was mistreated by other kids, it is easy to hate straight people, but that is a knee-jerk response.

However, it may be helpful to realize that not many people go through life without experiencing some kind of abuse. It does not remove the need for grief and recovery.

Developing compassion simply frees people to see and feel what is really going on so they can make their own choices, rather than responding on automatic.

Therapy for trauma in Manhattan and Brooklyn

Initially, I encourage my patients to talk as freely and openly as possible. My approach is to try to understand my client's communications as deeply as possible and clarify the connection between people's thoughts and emotions.

The aim of the therapy is to deepen the patient's understanding of him- or herself and unresolved conflicts.

When it is relevant and essential to the treatment, the focus turns to understanding how the client's past continues to influence adult life.

Therapy in Manhattan for repeating unhealthy relationships

A depressed woman came to treatment because she was repeating unhealthy patterns in her relationships. She continually tolerated abuse, fearing that if she tried to stand up for herself, it would jeopardize her relationship.

She would then shape her life around his needs and requirements. As she understood the connection between her submissive position in relationships and her fear of rejection and abandonment, she began to assert herself more effectively.

She also felt safer to share previously hidden aspects of her life, including sexual abuse that occurred when she was a child. It is common for patients who were raped or sexually abused to feel ashamed, as if they were responsible for the abuse.

Treatment for childhood abuse in Brooklyn

This was true for a client I saw who hoped to complete treatment without ever mentioning she had been sexually abused. During the treatment, she began to have dreams about being trapped, held down and attacked by me.

Increasingly, she felt stuck in the treatment and imagined she was going to be forced to talk about things she did not want to discuss. These frightening thoughts allowed us to understand her early traumatic experiences in a very immediate way and helped her appreciate how the experience of being raped still infiltrated her life.

As we understood the connection between the content of her dreams and the rape, we could then begin to understand other ways it contributed to her fears of intimacy. We were able to understand the shame she felt for allowing the rape to affect her.

Through talking about these feelings, she was able to reduce the shame, gradually began to feel safer in intimate relationships and was better able to trust herself and others.

Therapy for trauma in New York City, Rockland County

I respond first and foremost to people, not to theories. I draw upon both long-term psychoanalytic therapy and shorter-term cognitive therapies.

I also find EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) useful for helping people handle traumatic events in their current or past lives. EMDR is a simple but very effective method for reducing the distress around traumatic events.

Sometimes there is a current situation that needs close attention, such as when a devastating loss, auto wreck or other shock leads to intense anxiety or thoughts of suicide.

Other times, the issue that brings someone in is not so dire, but it reflects long-term problems that need to be explored for a fuller life experience.

I do not believe, as some therapists do, that short-term therapy is "only a band-aid", for I know it can help people make important changes. But also I find it is often a gateway to deeper and fuller exploration. I am able to focus on helping people at the level of what they need and want from therapy.

Treatment for post traumatic stress disorder

A client of mine who worked in a child protective agency made a recommendation for the safety of a child. She was called to court to defend her decision.

As she awaited the court date, this woman found herself dealing with extreme anxiety. She had trouble sleeping and kept reliving the moment she received the summons. She also had trouble making decisions at work, and her work was all about making decisions.

Being called to court would provoke some degree of emotional stress for just about everyone. However, very intense reactions often have to do with earlier feelings that bubble up into the present.

These overwhelming feelings that flood us at certain times may be caused by earlier traumas such as childhood abuse, early loss, sexual assault, accidents or disasters.

Therapy for PTSD and childhood abuse in New York

We spent the first few sessions establishing a good rapport. Then we worked with EMDR to deal with the moment of the summons.

This woman knew she was abused as a child and did some talk therapy around it. However, the experience of "telling on" abusive people and then being "punished" by having to go to court brought up powerful feelings of fear and anger that were not fully integrated into her adult self.

After five session of the EMDR, she no longer struggled with the childhood terror of being punished for telling on the abuser. She regained her footing and felt that she could do her job without unreasonable distress and fear.

New York City/Tri-State area therapy for trauma

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a complex method of psychotherapy that integrates successful elements of a range of therapeutic approaches with various forms of rhythmical stimulation (dual attention stimuli) in a way that stimulates the brains information processing system.

It has successfully helped over a million individuals who have survived traumas including sex abuse, domestic violence, combat, crime, as well as people suffering from depression, addictions, phobias, and a variety of self-esteem issues. These symptoms are often related to earlier traumas.

EMDR allows the brain to heal its psychological problems at the same rate as the rest of the body is healing its physical ailments, making time irrelevant in therapy. People can therefore achieve their therapeutic goals at a rapid rate.

I have treated many traumas with EMDR, large and small, from rape victims to clients suffering from childhood situations that were perceived as traumatic.

People who were 1st responders as well as survivors of 9/11 and those who lost family members came to me for EMDR treatments. To have EMDR as a resource to get them back on their feet, relatively quickly, is nothing short of miraculous.

EMDR in New York City/Tri-State area helps with war PTSD

When first learning EMDR, I suggested to a patient, a Viet Nam vet who suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) for some 30 years, that he try this technique.

I had worked with this man for close to five years, getting him past substance abuse, a marriage break-up, and suicidal tendencies. He experienced outbursts of rage, severe emotional swings, terrible nightmares and flashbacks.

Now, I saw the opportunity to get him back on track. He was game, figuring he had nothing to lose by trying this, then, new method.

He responded well to the treatment. There was a significant change in his symptoms within ten sessions. Today, ten years later, he is fine, remarried and has a happy family life.

He and his wife are great at keeping me posted after all this time. They understand the impact this procedure had on me as well as him.

New York/Long Island therapist treats childhood trauma

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a shortcut to releasing trauma. Developed in the early 1990s, it combines scientifically stimulating the patient and desensitizing him or her to the trauma experience while reprograming post-traumatic response. I sometimes use EMDR with patients when I think it will be helpful.

A woman sought my help with a childhood trauma of being molested as a child by her mother. This kind of betrayal shakes the foundations of trust in a child's life. It is a very profound violation of trust.

Afterward, she felt like her "mother's little boy", a very confusing feeling for a young girl. She became very sensitive and isolated in life, a loner.

In order to cope with her confusion and shame, she retreated into alcohol and did not sober up until middle age.

After a few EMDR sessions, she was able to make a lot of connections. Her childhood memories made more sense to her and she was able to move forward in her life.

Trauma therapy in New York City and Long Island

I am psychodynamically oriented. My treatment is focused on getting a patient to put thoughts and feelings into words.

Modern psycholanalysis finds that a person may correct emotional scars just by going through the relatiohnship with the therapist. This treatment allows the client to let go of patterns and become more actualized in life.

I encourage talking about things of concern. Without painful probing, I find out what is presenting problems.

Working through the emotional knots, the client understands the meaning of things that they want to change. I provide tools such as separating the present from the repetitive past.

When I uncover underlying thoughts and feelings, I share my insights. I introduce ways to cope and to discover the meaning of life events as related to the client's past.

Help for trauma in New York City

A woman came in mourning for the death of her mother. They had been very close, and she missed her mother terribly.

In treatment, it became clear that she had several symptoms that did not relate to mourning.

As we worked, she disclosed a suicide in her family and difficulty in her marriage. These despairing situations had her confused and unhappy.

Her feelings and history revealed that she suffered from bipolar disorder. We arranged medication, and this made a huge difference in her emotional stability and attitude.

As therapy progressed, she revealed childhood sexual abuse and another major traumatic experience. She had suicidal thoughts and was not sure she wanted to live.

She attempted suicide while in treatment. This was her low point, after which she realized the seriousness of her situation.

Through therapy, she stabilized her life and began enjoying things again. She found a purpose in life and that made all the difference.

Counseling for the trauma in New York

In many cases, a group of individuals may experience a similar trauma. It can be very helpful for them to jointly discuss their feelings and issues.

When they were closing down the site at Ground Zero, I was contacted by a group of volunteer women who were helping fire fighters and rescue personnel. These women were too busy to feel the shock of tragedy while working, but as the site closed down, realized they were all traumatized.

These volunteers identified with the canteen girls of WWII. They brought clothing and food and tried to lighten the sadness of the rescue workers. They offered compassion and support in the middle of disaster.

Group counseling for survivors of 9-11 in New York

After their experiences, the women needed their own support. For one year, we met as a group. The fire fighters and police officers did not want to talk to therapists, but they would talk to these women. Now the women needed to talk to me.

They wanted a chance to talk about what they felt and to see if their feelings were "normal." They felt a loss after devoting nine months to the rescue effort. They helped people emotionally, because they wanted to do their share, but now were emotionally drained.

I worried about both the emotional and physical health of these women, traumatized by what they saw, such as people searching for loved ones in the rubble, as well as breathing in smoke and debris.

I also worked with therapists who listened to the nightmare experiences of those who heard the screams of the dying and later discovered that 90 percent of their coworkers were killed. The therapists suffered from a secondary or compassionate trauma.

Sharing emotions and concerns with others in group therapy

I have special training in group supervision. I typically work with a group of less than ten people of mixed gender.

Group members discover and share universality of feelings and experiences. They learn their concerns are similar to those that others face.

The group becomes a microcosm of relationships in the real world, where their hurt feelings would get in the way. In a group setting, the members freely share insights that help each other.

We therapists had a one-day orientation at ground zero. The psychology department at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital University sent representatives to work with the rescue and support police.

I met with groups of police from all over New York. Each officer was required to spend at least one hour with a therapist.

Handling the issues associated with tragedy

The police did not want to discuss personal issues, so I worked with them on stress. Many would have to answer their children's questions about the tragedy. It was frightening for kids to watch the TV coverage and know their parents were out there helping.

One police officer was in Oklahoma City during the bombing, where he rescued a child. Later, however, he found himself sitting under a tree, trying to shoot himself.

His gun misfired, and he kept the bullets as a reminder of his temporary negative thoughts. He talked to groups of police about suicidal tendencies among rescue personnel.

During a traumatic experience, the body produces adrenaline to allow the person to fight or run for his or her life. Stress is mobilized.

Learning more about stress in New York/New Jersey therapy

It is a different world today, where individuals do not know how to deal with stress or not allowed to feel their true emotions.

If a cave man saw a saber tooth tiger, he could either run or fight. Now, when a person faces a traumatic situation, stress builds up in the body and causes other problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Too much stress damages the psyche and often produces negative coping behaviors like substance abuse, which alienate a person even more from society.

Therapy for trauma in Manhattan

The way I approach most issues is to see how the here and now is affected. As personal history is relevant to the problem, it is discussed.

I find that if an occurrence needs to come out, it will eventually. We start with the reason a person comes in, and go from there.

I also like to use the therapy interaction as a model, as it is symbolic of other relationships. This is a safe place to try out new behaviors, expressions and feelings.

Using the therapy process as a model in New York City

I encourage questions about my approach and the healing process, which in itself can be a learning tool.

A middle-aged woman came to see me about vague memories of being beaten as a child. She was unsure if she actually was abused and wanted closure on the trauma if indeed it was true.

I told her that she did not have to worry about having specific memories. The puzzle would come together in time, and her search for help was the start of the healing process.

Childhood trauma eased through counseling

Her thoughts and memories came in bits and pieces. Seasonal changes sometimes triggered a flashback. Certain memories of clothing she or her abuser wore haunted her.

I did not press for memories, and eventually she remembered more details. She was able to confirm that her memories were accurate and that she was abused by a relative in her childhood.

In her sessions, we looked at her relationships. She was reaching an age where she wanted companionship, but fear prevented her from getting close to anyone.

She joined a group of childhood abuse survivors. I suggested such a support group when she started counseling and she acted on it when she felt ready, after spending some time in therapy.

She grew to accept herself, warts and all, and was able to establish lasting friendships. She began enjoying a close relationship with a man and, when I last saw her, was close to getting married.

Help for childhood emotional abuse in Manhattan

A man in his thirties came to see me seeking counseling for emotional abuse he suffered as a child. Because of this abuse, he was conditioned to doubt himself and question his strengths.

This mode of thinking caused him to fear being able to handle daily tasks and to develop anxiety attacks.

He focused on meeting the needs of others in order to be accepted, making him anxious and depressed when meeting someone new. He was anxious to accurately predict the other's needs and depressed about not getting his own needs met.

Therapy without antidepressants

Although I arranged for him to consult with a pyschiatrist and evaluate his need for medication, he chose to go ahead with therapy first and avoid taking antidepressants.

I used our relationship as a model for him to see how productive communication is established between two people who are getting acquainted.

Requesting that he not seek my acceptance, I offered him my unconditional acceptance without these efforts.

I challenged him to be authentically present, and modeled expressing and confronting emotions for him.

When he was able to recognize and understand his own needs, he developed a healthy relationship and married. He and his wife now have three children.

Therapy for trauma in Manhattan

Trauma comes from many sources. Usually a client has suffered the effects of long term trauma such as childhood abuse.

He or she avoids dealing with problems as long as their coping strategies will allow. At this point, a client starts looking for help.

Perhaps a change in life brings them in. A new job may stress them and trigger an old trauma. Any change that causes more stress than he or she can tolerate can put them over the edge.

The standard definition of trauma is exsessive anxiety, and avoidance of situations. Sometimes a numbing depression sets in, and is common symptom of trauma.

Manhattan therapist uses a multi-dimensional approach to trauma

I approach trauma treatment from several angles. Desensitization, Cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and relaxation are all effective methods.

Helping a client to relax, I walk with him or her a while on their journey. Letting them know they are not alone, I stand with him or her while confronting fears.

Cognitive therapy allows a quick path to desensitation. Starting in the office, I encourage a client to confront what they have been avoiding.

Confrontation eliminates fear, and I give homework and exercises to accelerate their recovery. Most people do well, increasing his or her range of behaviors.

Therapist treats PTSD from September 11, 2001

My office is one block from the World Trade Center (WTC) and I have treated lots of people who experienced 9-11.

It is especially comforting for a client to speak with a therapist who also experienced the tragedy.

Rescue personnel had to ignore their own stress and devastation to be able to help others. As the need for their services diminished, they were hit hard with the reality of their rescue activities.

EMDR is especially helpful in this type of trauma. This method acts as a short cut to get to the disturbing events.

Desensitizing and reprogramming a person's brain, the memories lose their traumatizing effects.

Therapy for trauma in Manhattan

I use an informal, informational interview with a new client. We spend the first sessions exploring issues that are most pressing for them.

I use my training in clinical social work and psychoanalysis to identify ongoing patterns contributing to the problem.

Also, I identify each client's strengths, and determine what the client can use to build new, more helpful patterns of behavior.

Through co-creation of a relationship, I listen, analyze, support and guide. Direction, support and guidance helps each client to a deeper understanding and empowers who they are.

Helping him or her live more fully and vitally, in work and relationships is my goal.

Trauma causes physical problems

Childhood trauma is buried for some time, until the client realizes that the behavior patterns that once protected them, may no longer be working. This is a hopeful sign, although painful.

He or she is ready to change and longing to grow, develop and be understood. Carefully, I invite him or her into a process of exploring feelings, thoughts, and how each is manifested in the body.

Some clients somatize and have difficult stomach problems. Others have migraines or develop numbness in certain parts of the body.

A woman I worked with who is a performing artist and acting coach came in for help with a childhood trauma. Her stepfather began to menace her and attempted to abuse her sexually at age 9.

This powerful trauma left her feeling stuck at age 9, and she had difficulty engaging in any relationships.

Woman overcomes fear of men after childhood trauma

It was a big step for her to come to me for help, a man. Usually she saw female therapists.

I met with her three times a week, focusing on how the episodes impacted her everyday life. She was attractive and successful in her performances, but could not have successful relationships.

She was still involved with her dysfunctional family, who treated her as a young inadequate girl -- not the capable woman she was. She wanted to be able to date, and feel comfortable around men.

Studying the dynamics in her family, we explored how she felt when we identified her issues. She was emotionally paralyzed and didn't understand what had happened to her.

She welcomed the process of exploring what was keeping her from being able to grow. Overcoming her fear of men was hard work, but she succeeded.