The wound is the place where the Light enters you.

Emotional and psychological trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or situation that breaks your sense of security. Traumatic experiences often involve a direct threat to life or safety, but anything that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or isolated can result in trauma. While it’s common for most people to deal with fear and anxiety during and immediately after a traumatic event, everyone’s emotional response is unique. While some people will naturally recover with time, others may continue to experience trauma and stress-related symptoms.  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder. It develops in response to a traumatic event. The body responds to trauma by releasing adrenaline, the stress hormone that triggers “fight or flight” mode. That adrenaline stimulates the amygdala, the part of the brain that plays a significant role in emotions, behavior, and fear processing. This system overreacts with out-of-proportion fear responses to ordinary situations. While the symptoms of traumatic stress and PTSD look similar immediately following the event, they progress differently.  

Typical PTSD can arise after a traumatic episode, and is generally related to a single traumatic event. 

Complex PTSD or C-PTSD, on the other hand, is related to a series of traumatic events over time or one prolonged event often in the context of interpersonal relationships and a lack of a safe and supportive environment.  The symptoms of complex PTSD can be similar but more enduring and extreme than those of PTSD.  Trauma treatment addresses multiple components of healthy functioning such as:

1. Symptom Reduction: Trauma treatment can help alleviate the distressing symptoms associated with trauma, such as flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, and anger. This can improve a person's overall quality of life and functioning.
2. Emotional Regulation: Trauma treatment often includes strategies for managing intense emotions. Clients learn how to recognize and cope with overwhelming feelings, helping them regain emotional stability.
3. Improved Coping Skills: Individuals who have experienced trauma may have developed unhealthy coping mechanisms. Trauma treatment helps them develop healthier, more adaptive coping skills.
4. Enhanced Safety: Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their trauma-related experiences without judgment. This sense of safety can be crucial for healing.
5. Processing Traumatic Memories: Through various therapeutic techniques, such as CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), trauma treatment can help individuals process and reframe traumatic memories so they are less distressing.
6. Reestablishing Trust: Trauma often erodes trust in oneself and others. Therapy can help individuals rebuild trust in themselves, their relationships, and the world around them.
7. Strengthening Resilience: Trauma treatment can help individuals build resilience and develop a greater capacity to adapt to life's challenges. It teaches them how to bounce back from adversity and build a more positive outlook on the future.
8. Addressing Secondary Symptoms: Trauma can lead to a range of secondary symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, relationship problems, and physical health issues. Trauma treatment can address these symptoms and their underlying causes.
9. Enhanced Self-Esteem: Trauma can often result in feelings of shame, guilt, or low self-worth. Therapy can help individuals develop a more positive self-image and self-esteem.
10. Improved Relationships: Many individuals who have experienced trauma struggle with forming and maintaining healthy relationships. Therapy can provide the skills and insights needed to build more fulfilling connections with others.
11. Preventing Long-Term Consequences: Untreated trauma can lead to long-term mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety and mood disorders. Trauma treatment can help prevent or mitigate these consequences.

It's important to note that trauma treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Different approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy, may be more effective for different individuals or types of trauma. Additionally, the duration and intensity of treatment can vary based on the severity of the trauma and the individual's specific needs. We offer a variety of evidence based trauma-focused therapies to help alleviate symptoms of trauma.

If you're struggling with anxiety, we're here to help. At Cordillera Counseling Services we utilize neuro-affirming treatment approaches that are grounded in an understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety and aim to promote positive changes in the brain to reduce anxiety symptoms. We can help you understand your brain and learn practical coping strategies to manage your symptoms. We'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

 Attachment-based relationship issues refer to problems and conflicts that arise in interpersonal relationships as a result of intentional and/or non-intentional disruptions or difficulties in the attachment bonds between individuals. Attachment theory posits that humans have an innate need to form emotional bonds with others, particularly with caregivers in infancy. These attachment bonds serve as a foundation for healthy social and emotional development throughout life.  

 Attachment issues often manifest as relationship problems, difficulty with emotional self-regulation, and patterns of maladaptive coping mechanisms. At Cordillera Counseling Services, we understand that early life experiences, such as separation from attachment figures, loss, neglect or trauma, can profoundly affect how individuals connect with others and maintain healthy relationships. We are dedicated to  helping individuals navigate and heal from attachment wounds. We offer a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to your specific needs, whether you're experiencing difficulties with trust, emotional intimacy, communication, or other aspects of your relationships. Our goal is to support you in building secure, fulfilling connections and fostering positive, lasting change in your life.

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities. It can also be accompanied by physical symptoms like changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can significantly impact a person's quality of life.

The exact cause of depression is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. Some common risk factors for depression include a family history of depression, trauma or stressful life events, chronic medical conditions, and substance abuse. We are here to help you better understand and manage your symptoms, access your coping resources, provide the support you need to make and sustain behavioral and cognitive changes, and navigate challenges in more adaptive ways. We offer evidence-based treatments that have been proven to be effective for depression.