Map Your Healing Journey

There is no “one” or “right” way to work with PTSD symptoms. (Not sure if you have PTSD symptoms? Take this FREE PTSD Quiz to find out!)

If there’s a PTSD treatment option, I have likely tried it. One of the things I’ve learned in almost 20 years of my own trauma, PTSD and grief recovery work is that timing and comfort play an important role.

Example: around 10 years ago, I wanted to try TRE (Trauma & Tension Release Exercises) that I had just heard about. I found a yoga studio where there was an option to try it for a reduced price under the care of a trained instructor.

I got through 20 minutes of an hour session before I could not do any more. I felt physically ill, sick to my stomach.

My body was not ready – did not feel safe enough – to practice the exercises.

I was a little disappointed, but not upset. This was excellent information about what my body and brain were ready for, and it was not time for this kind of somatic work.

Fortunately, there are SO MANY WAYS TO WORK WITH PTSD SYMPTOMS! In my practice, I work with people and PTSD symptoms in three main ways – I have used each of these ways as a trauma and PTSD survivor. These options range from unstructured to more structured, and what we choose depends on what works for each client…because there’s no “one right way.”

The Least Structured: PTSD Symptoms in Real Time

I do in-person and virtual appointments. But let’s be real, I’m going to be sitting on a couch…

The first option is to work with PTSD symptoms as they are showing up in your life. This is a good way to work on PTSD recovery as you notice how symptoms are affecting your partnerships/marriage/significant other, parenting, friendships, work experiences, and more.

For example, if you are experiencing triggers at work that are interfering with your job performance, we would focus on learning about those and how to deal with them. Or if you are having relationship problems, we can explore how PTSD symptoms are contributing to the situation and how to work to reduce the effects of those symptoms.

This type of work is done through regular ol’ trauma recovery appointments, meeting each week or every other week. We focus on identifying the symptoms, regulating the nervous system, and learning and incorporating new skills to help reduce the impact of PTSD symptoms in these areas.

Top Down Skill Building for PTSD Recovery

First of all, what do I mean by “top down” when it comes to working with PTSD symptoms?

This term refers to using the brain first, before the body. When we approach something in a “top down” way, we use our prior knowledge, beliefs, experiences, and skills to incorporate new information. We make intentional decisions to shift our beliefs and behaviors in order to reduce PTSD symptoms in our lives.

My favorite way to work with clients in a top down approach is PTSD Recovery Basics. This is an 8-session course based on the curriculum, Seeking Safety (I have been through this curriculum a couple of times as a trauma survivor and found it very helpful). Sessions are 90-minutes long (at no extra cost) and occur each week or every other week.

This curriculum focuses on using a “top-down” method, which means learning about specific ways that PTSD occurs, exploring how these symptoms show up in your life, and how to reduce the occurrence and effects of these symptoms. Plus, the skills taught in this curriculum can be used forever.

Working together, clients and I decide what skills are needed and what will be most useful for this particular time in life. These skills can include how to deal with anger, identifying and managing triggers, incorporating emotions and feelings in safe ways, asking for help, practicing health boundaries, and more – there is a large list to choose from, and you have the final say!

The Somatic Technique That I Use

Blond woman in a Vagus Nerd bright pink tank top — I’m a vagus nerd!

The third technique that I use is PTSD Remediation. This is a 12-week protocol with one-hour sessions each week. This treatment option gets rid of PTSD symptoms altogether by resetting the nervous system and shutting down the “trauma loop” that is PTSD.

PTSD Remediation is a somatic technique, using a combination of square-breathing and gentle movements in the body to activate the vagus nerve. When the vagus nerve is activated in this way, the amygdala part of the brain where our traumatic memories are stored gets dumped out. Then we are able to process what we went through on a somatic (body), physiological (nervous system), and emotional level.

Each week, our meetings consist of talking about and feeling through what is coming up for you in this process, as well as practicing using this technique so that it is available to you in the middle of PTSD episodes over these 12 weeks.

At the end of 12 weeks, PTSD symptoms are GONE.

How to Find Out More?

If one or more of these techniques peaks your interest or if you have questions, I would love to chat! Click or tap the button below and get your FREE 45-minute PTSD Screening appointment and find out how we can work together.

Schedule Your Free 45-Minute PTSD Screening Appointment Here