Anyone who has gone through or witnessed a life-threatening or traumatic event can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  After a trauma, some people will become agitated, depressed or have a difficult time functioning regularly for a few weeks.  If these feeling continue for more than a month or get worse, the person may be experienceing PTSD and could benefit from treatment.

Post-Traumatic Sress Disorder usually manifests in 3 sets of symptoms:

• Reexperiencing of the traumatic event: e.g., flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts.
• Avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma: e.g., avoidance of places or people that trigger associations about the trauma, or a sense of detachment from others.
• Increased psychological or physiological arousal: e.g., hypervigilance, heightened startle response, insomnia or outbursts of anger.

I have advanced training in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, including EMDR techniques (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming).  I have extensive experience in the treatment of sexual assault victims, both of recent victims and of adult survivors of child abuse.