Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy as it is sometimes called, is a treatment method for mental health and emotional turmoil. It involves conversations between a trained psychotherapist and the person receiving services, with the goal of helping the person understand and manage their mental health (thoughts, feelings, and behaviors). Psychotherapy at Aptiva is usually conducted individually but can involve couples, families, or groups. Psychotherapy in general is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more. Psychotherapy can also help individuals cope with life changes, stress, and personal issues. Here at Aptiva, we specialize in traumas and workplace injuries for people over the age of 18. However, we do at times accept people with other mental wellness concerns.
Trauma
Trauma refers to an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. When someone experiences trauma, their sense of safety and security is often disrupted, leading to intense emotional reactions and potentially long-lasting psychological effects if untreated. These effects can manifest in various ways:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Characterized by intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal.
Anxiety and Depression: Trauma can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders, such as adjustment or acute stress, as well as depression.
Dissociation: Some individuals may experience dissociative symptoms, where they feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings to cope with the trauma.
Behavioral Changes: Trauma survivors may exhibit changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, fear of certain activities such as driving if they experienced a collision, more emotional than usual, or withdrawal from social activities or physical exercise.
Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and other physical symptoms can also be associated with trauma.
Types of Traumas:
Accidents (such as auto collisions)
Injuries (such as in the workplace)
Physical or sexual abuse
Natural disasters
Involved in or witnessing violence
Combat or war
Sudden loss of a loved one
Medical trauma
Neglect or abandonment
Services
Aptiva mental health services uses trauma-informed care as our approach recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this understanding into every aspect of your treatment. Initial appointments involve:
Evaluation and Diagnosis: Therapists trained in the field of psychology use various tools, including clinical interviews, medical record review, psychological assessments, report composition/interpretation, patient face-to-face feedback and recommendations, to evaluate and diagnose each person.
Treatment Plan: Therapists develop comprehensive treatment plans that can may include psychoeducation and psychotherapy, referral for medication management, and other interventions.
Collaboration: Therapists work in conjunction with other healthcare providers, such as psychiatry, neuropsychology, physicians and the patient’s primary care physicians, to provide holistic care to patients.
Research: Our therapists may also engage in research to advance the understanding of trauma.
Trauma-informed psychotherapy often involves:
Education: educating the person and their family about the effects and treatment of trauma.
Safety: Creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to feel physically and emotionally secure.
Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust through clear communication, consistency, and predictability.
Empowerment: Supporting individuals in making informed choices and having a voice in their treatment.
Collaboration and Peer Support: Engaging survivors in the treatment process and connecting them with peer support networks when indicated.
Our effective trauma treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy (such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness) and psychiatric medication when indicated to help individuals heal and regain a sense of control over their lives. In some cases we refer out to sleep studies and other specialists.
