Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that results from severe, chronic, or extremely threatening trauma. For years down the road, patients with C-PTSD relive the events. Sufferers may experience an “emotional flashback,” where they are actually experiencing the same feelings of fear, shame, or despair that they felt during the time of the trauma. In turn, this can cause them to react to events in the present as if they are causing those feelings, resulting in difficulty controlling their emotions as well as other concomitant sensations.

C-PTSD can be caused by childhood abuse, domestic violence, being a prisoner of war, torture, kidnapping, or being a witness to any of the above. It can be different from PTSD in that it often results from sustained trauma where escape was unlikely, or the abuser was someone close.

Like PTSD, C-PTSD can often be crippling if not treated, hampering a person’s ability to sleep, enjoy relationships, trust others, or lead a productive life.

At Tree of Life Psychotherapy and Counseling, we have worked with many patients with C-PTSD over the years to help them cope with these strong feelings. We recognize that your feelings are real, and it is essential to work with a medical professional to learn how to cope with them. 

We have a number of therapies we use to treat mood and anxiety disorders. At Tree of Life, we meet clients where they are at in their process. Sometimes, work must be done to prepare for deeper healing. This is why techniques such as mindfulness and meditation to soothe overactive nervous systems may be used prior to approaching in depth healing. Methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) may be utilized to provide essential coping skills.

We do have some proven therapies for C-PTSD:  (these will link to modalities pages)

• Mindfulness and Meditation can often be used as a first line to soothe nervous systems;
• Methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) may be utilized to provide essential coping skills; 
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) allows us to support clients in desensitizing to and reprocessing traumatic events;
• NARM (Neuro Affective Relational Model). This is a cutting edge form of psychotherapy that combines several modalities to treat complex PTSD and developmental, relational or attachment trauma. 

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.