Trauma Therapy Houston, TX
HEAL FROM TRAUMA
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may experience the effects of lasting trauma. This can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress far after the event has passed. In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist are fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
These are the four types of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms listed in the DSM-5 (the manual that mental health providers use to assess and diagnose mental health conditions).
Avoidance Symptoms
Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
Reckless behavior, including self-harm
Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
Difficulty focusing and concentrating
Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma.
If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident that our team can help. I invite you to contact us today.
Meet our Houston trauma therapists
Sarah Whitmire, LPC-S, ATR-BC
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Hi, I'm Sarah. As the owner and founder of Whitmire Counseling and Supervision, I have over a decade of experience helping people recover from traumatic experiences. Since each person's experience is unique, I'm passionate about finding individual solutions that can help you find healing.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Board Certified Art Therapist
Education: Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern Counseling
Years in practice: 15
Modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Location: In-person in Houston and online throughout Texas
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Nicole Reglos, LPC
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Nicole enjoys building a strong therapeutic relationship with each of her clients. She combines a variety of different methods to create a customized trauma therapy experience that supports each person's unique needs and goals.
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Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
Education: Masters in Psychology from Midwestern State University
Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eclectic Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Humanistic Therapy, Multicultural Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Location: In-person in Houston and online throughout Texas
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Johana Anaya, LPC Associate
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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate working under the supervision of April West LPC-S. I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio. My mission is to support clients through an integrative approach that embraces solution-focused therapy (SFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and person-centered therapy.
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Credentials: LPC Associate
Supervised by: Supervised by April West LPC-S
Education: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio
Location: In-person in Houston and online throughout Texas
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FAQs about counseling for trauma
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Some therapists are considered generalists, meaning that they provide a wide range of mental health services. This can include trauma treatment, but not always.
On the other hand, most clinicians who consider themselves trauma therapists have specific training and experience in PTSD treatment.
Think of a generalist therapist as a primary care provider who's qualified to treat many common issues, whereas a trauma therapist is a specialist who specifically focuses on helping people heal from past trauma.
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Choosing whether to start therapy is a highly personal decision. With that said, if you're considering it, we highly recommend trying it out. Many people wait a long time to get the help they need because they're worried that things aren't "bad enough." We believe that all people deserve the support of a therapist, regardless of whether "other people have it worse."
If you're wondering whether you've experienced trauma, we recommend reviewing the PTSD symptoms we listed above. If these symptoms resonate with you, you could likely benefit from therapy.
Note that these symptoms are often seen in the context of a single traumatic event, like a car crash, natural disaster, or instance of abuse. People who experience chronic or complex trauma may experience different or additional symptoms, like low self-esteem, guilt, shame, difficulty expressing emotions, trouble forming or maintaining relationships, and more.
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There are many forms of trauma therapy, each with its own benefits and limitations. At Whitmire Counseling and Supervision, we believe that it's most effective to combine a variety of different approaches based on each client's specific situation. Having a customized experience can help you get the most out of our time together.
Our clinicians use methods like CBT, DBT, EMDR, art therapy, and other techniques. Other therapists may use different approaches, like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or internal family systems therapy (IFS).
The specific methods that a therapist uses are only one part of choosing the right therapist. You'll also want to look into each therapist's background and credentials, and make sure that you feel comfortable with them on a human level.
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Yes, trauma therapy is worth it. When you've experienced trauma, it might feel like a life sentence. While it can be hard to imagine feeling like yourself again, it is possible. We've seen it firsthand with the clients we've helped.
Trauma therapy doesn't erase the traumatic events from your past, but it can help you process your experience, reduce the intensity of your symptoms, and find meaning, purpose, and a path forward.
Take the first steps toward healing today.
At Whitmire Counseling and Supervision, we recognize that the healing process can look different for everyone. That's why we're committed to providing our clients with a customized therapy experience that's tailored to your needs, strengths, values, and goals.
If you're ready to begin trauma therapy, we're here to help. Reach out today to connect with one of our mental health professionals and start reclaiming your joy.