Trauma

But the LORD’s love for those who have respect for him lasts for ever and ever. Their children’s children will know that he always does what is right. – Psalms 34:4

For many, traumatic experience and fear go hand in hand. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we offer real solutions for helping you overcome your fear, so you can work towards a new life of peace and fulfillment through Christ. Our Christian trauma counselors have helped people of all ages work through various experiences of trauma through faith-based tools and years of experience in trauma-focused therapy.

Do I Need Trauma Counseling?

Our brains have an amazing capacity for self-preservation. Because of this, people who live through traumatic experiences might not realize the affect those experiences had on their mental, emotional, and even physical health. Often, these effects can creep up on you, or hit you full force at once. Every person processes these things in their own way, but all who survive trauma can benefit from counseling to help them gain a full recovery, including for effects not yet seen.

You might benefit from Christian trauma counseling if you:

• Experience difficulty functioning at work or at home.
• Suffer from lasting depression, anxiety, or fear.
• Alienate yourself from others and are unable to form lasting relationships.
• Experience terrifying or emotional memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
• Avoid reminders of the traumatic event.
• Feel emotionally disconnected or numb.
• Avoid situations that remind you of the trauma.
• Use drugs and/or alcohol to mask your trauma symptoms.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we help people of all ages find understanding, support, and guidance for healing from all kinds of traumatic experiences. If you or your child is stuck in time, unable to move past overwhelming pain, fear, and memories, Christian trauma counseling offers the support you need.

Our Christian counselors help people recover emotionally from:

• Childhood abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect
• Sexual assault
• Abusive relationships
• Traumatic injury or illness
• Natural disasters
• Witnessing traumatic events
• Sudden loss
• Combat and military trauma

Whatever your story, the trauma counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling offer you a safe place for working through your painful memories and emotions at a pace and using therapy methods that work for you.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

If you or your child has experienced a traumatic event and are bound to feelings of fear, confusion, and isolation, Christian counseling offers healing, peace, and freedom through holistic trauma recovery counseling.

About 60% of men and 50% of women experience trauma at least once.

Trauma isn’t as uncommon as you might feel and we have proven methods for helping people like you come to a full recovery. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we are experienced in helping children, teens, and adults recover from PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms.

Is Trauma Recovery Possible?

Your healing and recovery were paid for over 2000 years ago. What Jesus did for all of us is what motivates us as Christian counselors and helps us to lean into the healing and breakthroughs you need. We combine evidence-based trauma recovery counseling with faith-based support and biblical guidance to create a plan for treatment that is highly-effective. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we have seen many go well beyond recovery and into a fullness of life that went well beyond expectations!

Christian trauma counseling offers:

• Experienced, trauma-recovery counselors who know how to navigate sensitive issues compassionately and effectively.
• A safe, confidential environment where you can explore your memories and emotions without judgement or fear.
• Results-driven Christian trauma counseling that is dedicated to helping you reach your goals for trauma recovery.
• Faith-based support for lasting healing and growth.

The goals of Christian trauma counseling are:

• Processing trauma-related memories and emotions.
• Understanding and managing strong feelings.
• Learning to build connected, trusting relationships.
• Getting back to a life that is fulfilling and made new in Christ.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

After surviving a traumatic experience, fear and other negative emotions and behaviors can take hold of our life. Some of these behaviors can be very damaging, and though they served a purpose that helped you survive, they can lead to more problems. For example, some who struggle with the strong emotions related to trauma turn to drugs and alcohol. We aren’t here to shame you or stigmatize those who are in bonds to sin, but rather offer faith-based solutions for healing that will help you grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by working through your traumatic experiences at your own pace and in your own way.

What Happens in Christian Trauma Counseling?

There are many forms of trauma-focused therapy. Depending on the age, type of trauma, and the effects trauma caused each individual, your Christian counselor will work to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs for trauma recovery.

Trauma Recovery Counseling for Adults

Counseling after trauma isn’t always easy, but it can be crucial for healing. Experienced trauma-focused counseling can help you safely work through painful memories and emotions so you can get back to a full, Christ-filled life. Together, we will work towards re-establishing your sense of physical and emotional safety and well-being.

Common methods of trauma-focused counseling, often used together, include:

• Psychodynamic therapy – helps you voice your feelings and experiences in a safe environment by building a trusting, therapeutic relationship with your counselor.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – builds awareness, understanding, and control over negative thoughts and behaviors related to traumatic experience.
• Lifespan Integration – is a gentle, body-based therapeutic method that offers gradual, client-focused healing without re-traumatizing.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy) – combines elements of CBT with rhythmic eye movements to help you unblock traumatic memories so you can work through them safely.
• Somatic experiencing – works with your body’s natural ability to heal by focusing on natural reactions to emotional and physical trauma. You will then learn how to release built-up tension through these natural reactions to stress such as crying.

Trauma Recovery Counseling for Children and Teens

Christian trauma counseling for children and teens partners with parents and Christ to form a safety net of support, compassion, and guidance for healing. Child and teen counselors are highly trained in effective trauma-focused therapies that are specifically designed for children and young adults. By helping them understand the traumatic experience, process their emotions, and let go of self-blame and harmful behaviors, your child can move on to live a healthy, full life.

As with counseling for adults, Christian trauma counseling for children uses a number of effective child-appropriate approaches to help your child:

• Find peace – by showing your child how to better control their trauma-related emotional and physical symptoms using stress management and relaxation skills.
• Gain understanding – by encouraging your child to talk about the traumatic event at a pace that doesn’t cause distress.
• Let go of self-blame – and other exaggerated ideas about the traumatic event, such as believing he or she caused or could have prevented the event in some way.

Whether your child suffers from trauma resulting from abuse, natural disaster, vicarious traumatization, or some other traumatic experience, the compassionate Christian trauma counseling professionals at Seattle Christian Counseling are here for you and your child.

Contact us today to begin Christian trauma recovery counseling.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we have faith that you can overcome the challenges that trauma created in your life. To learn more about Christian trauma counseling or to schedule your risk-free initial session*, contact us online or give us a call at (206) 388-3929.