Trauma Counseling in Toms River, NJ (Ocean County)

It doesn’t matter what form trauma takes- emotional, sexual, or physical- no one deserves to go through it. You didn’t choose to experience a trauma and you didn’t choose the way your brain reacted to it. What happened to you isn’t fair, and we wish we could snap our fingers and make the pain go away. We can’t, but what we can do is stand by you and support, encourage, and give you professional, researched advice. Thriveworks Toms River is with you. Together we can heal from trauma and build a healthy, fulfilling life.

            Trauma creates changes you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.”

–Michelle Rosental

A traumatic event is horrific, but so is the aftermaths of that event that echoes throughout your life. Work, family, friends, health, happiness, dreams- it’s all at risk of being warped by the destructive nature of trauma.

But there is hope. There is a way to heal.

Trauma therapy is not the only way, but it is a good way. At Toms River we want you to stop simply surviving and start thriving. We strive to be empathetic and nonjudgmental so that you can come with all of your pain and feel the safety you need to heal.

Counseling for trauma isn’t easy. It often means opening up old wounds. It can be a process wrought with anxiety, anger, and hopelessness. But that is not the end product. The end product is peace, strength, and a future with endless possibilities. The trauma counselors at Toms River are here to help you see that goal throughout the process.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment today, give us a call at 732-852-4977.

What Are the Symptoms of Trauma?

Our brain is a magnificent organ. It processes millions bits of information every second. But an organ that detailed is also at-risk for more damage. Trauma literally rewrites your brain’s neural code. It takes all the healthy patterns you’ve formed over the years and twists it into something unhealthy. This is where many of the symptoms we’ll talk about below come from.

But our brains are also great healers. With professional therapy, we can mold it back to an even healthier, happier shape. Trauma Therapy in Toms River makes sure that each counseling session is client-centered because everyone will respond to trauma differently. The formula is roughly the same, but the factors can be very different depending on who it is.

Trauma never breaks anyone. It remolds their brain for a time, but we can mold it back with time and energy. Toms River trauma therapy always makes sure to move at your pace, to make sure the healing is magnified as much as possible. There is no deadline in our book; there is only you becoming healthier!

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s worth reaching out for more information:

• Recurrent, painful dreams
• Flashbacks
• Emotional numbness
• Jittery/always on edge
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hesitancy to open up to other people, even those you trusted before the trauma
• Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
• Diminished interest in activities you previously enjoy
• Difficulty feeling positive emotions
• A general feeling of detachment from the world or yourself
• Continuous feeling of discomfort in stomach and gut

Trauma, and the possible result of PTSD, will look different for everyone. If you don’t relate to the symptoms above, your struggles are still valid! The list is by no means exhaustive. If you feel a disconnect from where you are and where you want to be, Thriveworks Toms River trauma therapy can help!

How Can We Help?

Counseling for Trauma at Toms River is always client focused. You are the only person who can make true change in your life, so you should have a big say in a therapy session! Being a trauma survivor is one tiny part of who you are. You are a beautiful mosaic of your passions, goals, past, present, hobbies, skills, way of life, and so much more! All of you is important in a counseling session.

There are, of course, some tried and true therapy techniques that have helped people struggling with trauma. They include:

• Trauma symptom and effect education
• Practicing personal, effective coping skills (relaxation exercises, anger-management techniques, guided imagery, mindfulness, etc.)
• Support in managing a healthy sleep, exercise, and diet schedule
• Work through guilt, self-blame, and other destructive emotions that could be surrounding the trauma.
• Heal the fear and anxiety still present. Unaddressed emotions are one of the biggest culprits for trauma symptoms.
• Address any comorbid struggles such as anxiety or depression.

You are not to blame for what happened to you. You didn’t choose this pain. But you can choose healing. The courage and strength it take to even consider counseling for trauma is astounding. You have what it takes to overcome your past so you can live for the now and build a future of hope.

Call Thriveworks Toms River for more information or to schedule an appointment today. We can be reached 732-852-4977.