Trauma is any event that overwhelms the brain’s ability to cope. There are three main types of trauma: Acute, Chronic, or Complex

• Acute trauma results from a single incident.

• Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse.

• Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.

Treatment strategies

At Mend, we use a long-term relational/psychodynamic model to treat trauma. This model can include equipping the patient with tools to cope with anxiety and calm the nervous system enough for deeper healing and growth that will have a more long-term impact. Below are examples of our treatment strategies to help patients cope with past traumas.

Single Incident Trauma Treatment

 If you have experienced a recent traumatic event in adulthood and do not have a history of trauma, this may be the right option for you. Our clinicians offer an initial consultation that will help you identify the ways a recent traumatic event has affected your daily life and functioning. Together with your counselor, you will create a treatment plan to help you process any loss, fear, negative self-beliefs, intrusive thoughts or images that may result from this significant event. 

Childhood Trauma Treatment

If you have self-beliefs such as “I’m worthless,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m unlovable,” you may have experienced childhood trauma. Our clinicians at Mend: Center for Psychotherapy can help you identify what, in your past, is linked to your self-beliefs and how they have been reinforced over time by subsequent life experiences. This more long-term work is done in the safety of a therapeutic relationship built on mutual trust.

Trauma Intensive

If the traditional models of counseling do not fit with your schedule, you may wish to participate in a trauma intensive. You will first meet with one of our clinicians for a consultation to see if intensive treatment is a good fit for you. Once you have developed a rapport with your clinician, you will meet for 6-12 hours over the course of one to two weekends to learn how trauma affects the brain, how to self-soothe and regulate your nervous system, steps to increase safety in your life, and finally, you will process the traumatic events in your life and find new ways of coping with the resulting anxiety, grief, self-beliefs, and relationship patterns