Expert Online Therapy for Trauma & PTSD in New Jersey

Online Trauma Counseling in New Jersey

Effective Treatment For PTSD, C-PTSD & Survivors of Abuse

Trauma Counseling serves as a valuable tool for individuals struggling with symptoms related to PTSD & stress. Whether you work with a therapist for trauma counseling or a different mental health concern, you can expect that your treatment at Mind by Design Counseling is understanding, comprehensive & supports your unique journey towards mental wellness.

As described in many of blog postings on mental health & trauma, we find it important to emphasize that the symptoms & effects of trauma do not define who you are but rather reflect how your brain processes stress and fear. Therefore, Mind by Design trauma counselors focus on integrating the body & mind to facilitate healing & effective symptom reduction.

Ketamine Treatment for Trauma & PTSD

Psychedelic experiences can facilitate a deep exploration of your self and amplify your consciousness. However, without the right support, these experiences could potentially escalate psychological pain and fear of transformation. Adequate preparation and post-experience integration, facilitated by trained therapists, are crucial to creating a healing psychedelic journey.

How Does Trauma Counseling Help?

Irrespective of the chosen technique in trauma counseling, the ultimate aim remains constant:
to help you reclaim your sense of self and well-being.
The goals we often work towards in trauma counseling include:

Developing Coping Skills

Essential coping skills are taught to clients to help overcome challenges and prevent regression.

Understanding & integrating the traumatic event

To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the past traumatic experiences.

Shifting focus to the present

Counseling encourages a shift in attention from the past event(s) towards the present moment and future possibilities.

Alleviating or resolving symptoms

The primary aim is to lessen or eliminate the distressing symptoms associated with trauma

Identifying & Restructuring Negative Thought Patterns

Therapy targets negative thinking patterns related to the traumatic event, aiming to restructure distorted thoughts.

Exploring Intergenerational Trauma

Education is provided about the impact of itergenerational trauma, examining how it trauma can be passed down through generation.

Addressing addiction & Adverse Experiences

Counseling address addiction and/or negative life experiences that may exacerbate symptoms related to trauma

techniques used in trauma counseling

Whether you are in the process of overcoming past trauma or navigating life after a recent traumatic incident, reaching out to a trauma therapist is a significant initial step. Trauma-focused therapy provides a safe space for processing past events, addressing memories, and empowers individuals to pursue their envisioned lives. Although it may be challenging, it is possible to move forward from traumatic events and refuse to let them define one’s identity.

Below are some of the most common techniques used on trauma counseling:

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Somatic Experiencing/ Mindfulness

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Narrative Therapy

Exposure/Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Somatic Experiencing/ Mindfulness

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Narrative Therapy

Exposure/Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Emotional & Psychological Symptoms
addressed in trauma counseling

Although many people experience anxiety about starting therapy, it is important to understand that a trauma counselor recognizes the emotional psychological symptoms that you may experience, and works carefully to ensure that the therapy room is a safe and comfortable space.

It is important to note that both emotional and psychological trauma arise from enduring periods of intense and prolonged stress, or a single event that induced fear, anxiety or a sense of losing control. Furthermore, these events or experiences completely disrupt your sense of safety and leave you feeling helpless, as if you are existing in a perilous world.

Moreover, psychological trauma can leave a lasting impact, manifesting as distressing emotions, persistent memories, and anxiety that cannot be easily resolved. It may lead to feelings of numbness or detachment, making it challenging to establish trust and open up to others.

Above all, it is important to understand that, when it comes to trauma, the subjective experience of an event holds greater significance for your mental well-being than the objective circumstances.

Causes of Emotional & Psychological Trauma

Single traumatic events

In these cases, we are referring to accidents, injuries, or acts of violence. Childhood experiences or unexpected incidents can be particularly traumatic. These single events are what many people commonly associate with PTSD and trauma-realted issues.

Indirect Trauma Exposures

Unlike what many of us typically think of when we refer to trauma, however, indirect trauma includes exposure to traumatic events that does not directly involve us. This may be witnessing a traumatic event or hearing of a traumatic event, or caring for someone after a traumatic event.

Ongoing & repetitive stress

Here, we are referring to examples of ongoing and repetitive stress include struggles with substance abuse or addiction and enduring multiple traumatic incidents, such as domestic violence, bullying, or childhood neglect.

Frequently overlooked causes

Furthermore, events such as surgical procedures, the sudden loss of a loved one, the dissolution of a significant romantic relationship, a humiliating experience, or life transitions can easily result in trauma.

Symptoms commonly treated in trauma counseling

Emotional/Psychological Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

Difficulty concentrating or confusion
Shock, denial, or disbelief
Anger, irritability, and mood swings
Guilt, shame, and self-doubt
Fear and anxiety
Feeling sad, hopeless, disconnected or numb
Flashbacks of vivid memories
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

Insomnia or nightmares
Fatigue and excessive sleepiness
Racing heartbeat or tightness in your chest
Being easily startled
Body aches and pains
Muscle tension
Headaches
General irritability and agitation

Factors Increasing Vulnerability to Trauma

Experiencing a prolonged period of high stress
Recent losses or a series of losses
Previous experiences of trauma
Adverse childhood experiences
Substance misuse
Lack of a support system
Poverty and/or financial hardship

How Trauma Counseling In NJ Can Provide Support

Though you may experience periods in which you feel relatively better, trauma has the ability to resurface and bring back distressing memories and emotions, particularly when triggered by certain circumstances. For instance, the anniversary of the traumatic event might intensify your trauma symptoms.

If your psychological trauma symptoms persist or worsen over an extended period, it’s possible that you are experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD entails being trapped in psychological shock, struggling to comprehend the event or process emotions. With that being said, seeking assistance from a therapist specializing in PTSD can be beneficial.

Trauma Counseling May Incorporate Various Supports

Therapy can increase distress tolerance, coping skills and build a strong foundation for mental and physical well-being. In addition, therapy builds a strong foundation for future happiness. Your therapist may use one or more of the following during counseling for trauma:

young man getting online therapy in new jersey

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

KAP is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. Furthermore, KAP assists clients in working through mental, emotional and psychological challenges that may be resistant to traditional treatment, like talk therapy. KAP is commonly used to treat: PTSD & Trauma OCD Chronic Pain Major Depression Panic Disorder Sleep Disturbances Substance Misuse & Addiction

FAQs: Using Ketamine In Trauma Counseling

Could anyone benefit from Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
KAP has shown promise for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and certain anxiety disorders. However, its efficacy can vary from person to person.
What does Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy help treat?
Ketamine has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias and OCD. As Ketamine therapy providers, we offer this service to help clients break cycles of thinking traps that lead to compulsive behaviors.
Is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy the same as ketamine infusions?
KAP is a therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy. Our Process of providing ketamine assisted psychotherapy is different from ketamine infusions, which are typically administered without the accompanying psychotherapy. Our partnership with Journey Clinical provides patients with lozenges for self-administering their Ketamine dose prescribed by the Journey Clinical provider.
How does ketamine work in the brain?
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which can lead to an increase in the release of certain neurotransmitters. This can result in rapid antidepressant effects
Is ketamine addictive?
While ketamine has the potential for misuse, when used in a controlled medical setting for therapeutic purposes, the risk of addiction is considered low according to medical researchers
How many ketamine treatment sessions do clients need for KAP?
The number of sessions can vary based on individual needs and the specific protocol followed by the provider. You will see in “Our Process” above that generally 2-3 sessions are held prior to a dosing session, and then integration sessions are held after a dosing session. Depending on your treatment plan, there may be more or less number of sessions
Do I need to take off work for KAP treatment? And if so, how long should I plan for?
It’s recommended to take some time off work after a KAP session to process the experience and ensure safety, especially if any side effects are experienced. Clients are provided with safety measures and consents which stipulate that clients should not drive after a dosing session and should have a trusted person with them to drive if needed.
What medical conditions might disqualify someone from KAP?
Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension or a history of psychosis, might be contraindications for KAP. See Our “Safety Measures” page for more information about the precautions that the medical team adheres to, along with other safety measure sin place.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
At Mind by Design, we do not require pre-approval to begin the process. We do require a medical clearance through our partnership with Journey Clinical Medical Staff to participate in a ketamine dosing session.
How often would KAP be needed?
The frequency of KAP sessions would depend on the individual’s response to treatment and the medical provider’s recommendations.
How does ketamine compare to other psychedelic medicines?
Ketamine is unique in its rapid antidepressant effects and mechanism of action. Other psychedelics, like psilocybin, have different mechanisms and therapeutic potentials.

Find Help & relief with a trauma counselor
in New Jersey Today

Mind By Design Counseling in New Jersey offers trained therapists who can work with you through an assessment and provide online treatment for your child or teen. You can contact us online with an inquiry or by phone to move forward to see if it’s a good match for everyone. Our care coordinator will provide assistance and arrange an appointment for you.