Trauma-Related Disorder

Mount Vernon Counseling Center

What are Trauma Disorders?

Trauma disorders are mental disorders that are related to a traumatic experience or very stressful event. It occurs in those people who develop a mental health condition and can trace there trauma disorder directly to a situation as a cause. Not everyone who experiences a great deal of trauma will develop a mental health condition. It is important to seek treatment if you find yourself suffering from symptoms such as recurring flashbacks, avoidance or block in memories of the event, nightmares and high levels of anxiety which continue for more than a month after the traumatic event. If not treated, trauma disorders can lead to serious complications ranging from social problems to depression to suicide.

Types of Trauma Disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Childhood Trauma Disorders

 
Trauma Disorder Symptoms

  • Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, & nightmares
  • Suicidal thoughts & behaviors
  • Depression and feelings of helplessness
  • Intense anxiety & fear
  • Feeling a loss of control
  • Distant from friends & family
  • Numb to emotions & difficulty feeling happy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Angry or violent outbursts
  • Impulsiveness
  • Extreme startle response (On edge at all times)

Treatment for Trauma Disorders

Our mental health professionals provide treatment that will help patients find a way to cope with trauma they are experiencing and begin to live a happier and more productive life. We offer therapy that will focus on the trauma such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Patients will learn how to manage their triggers, negative emotions, and unhelpful responses through this therapy method. There is also exposure therapy where patients can face their trauma or bad memories in a safe environment with support and guidance from our experts. Facing what is haunting you and finding effective ways to deal with them in a healthy and positive manner will heal the trauma.

It is also important to get support from loved ones, become dedicated to overcoming bad memories, and create positive lifestyle changes.

Amanda Roberts Ph,D,

MA Clinical Psychologist Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

Dr. Amanda Roberts has 34 years of experience in the mental health field and 20 years of deep immersion and expertise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, EMDR.

EMDR is a robust evidence-based psychotherapy approach that is cost effective, culturally portable and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The approach is used to treat many conditions ranging from trauma with all of its complexities, to addictions, chronic pain, migraines, phobias, problematic behaviors, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. Dr. Roberts is also trained in hypnosis and a variety of mind-body modalities. She has a growing interest in the neurobiological basis of effective psychotherapies and, in particular, neuroplasticity.

Dr. Roberts’ approach is one of warmth, compassion and respect for the strengths within the person with the firm conviction that effective therapy involves a collaborative partnership informed by the patient’s innate wisdom and resilience. It is the quality of the therapeutic relationship based on a foundation of trust, safety and a caring connection that provides the most curative element in treatment. She is known for her creativity, passion, fearlessness, easy humor and deep commitment to the welfare of her patients. Your work with her will be solution focused, equip you with tools for living your life more joyfully and freely and will involve a practical problem-solving approach.

I worked with Dr. Amanda Roberts for several months in the spring and summer of 2018. Beginning with the initial session, and deepening over the subsequent months, she created and held a welcoming, open, trusting, and very deep space for our sessions together. She is a truly extraordinary and experienced therapist, with keen intuitions and insights. Together we established a very clear path and continuity in our sessions. She provided exceptional support and encouragement to explore underlying issues and themes. Our work was both enlightening and transformative. In summary, I cannot recommend Dr. Roberts highly enough.
- Anonymous

Amanda Roberts is a gifted, kind, professional, rare kind of healer. I began treatment with Amanda in order to address the migraines I had developed in recent years. In the course of our work together, I was thrilled to discover what a powerful intervention EMDR can be, not only for migraine, but for trauma residue of various kinds, and for the constitutional anxiety I have had my whole life. Amanda brought her deep experience with EMDR and brain science into every session, and her passion for the work shone through. She is part teacher, part scientist, and a little bit magician! Targeting trauma and distress directly using EMDR proved remarkably, fascinatingly effective. I loved that it worked without much talk at all! It was strangely fun, safe, and peaceful; it amazed me every time. EMDR was useful both with present time material (e.g. my mother died during the period I was working with Amanda) and with old, sometimes pre-verbal memories and patterns. Amanda’s work with pain is multifaceted, so in the case of migraine for me, she included EMDR, guided imagery, meditation, and hypnosis. Both state anxiety (response to stimulus in the present moment) and trait anxiety (chronic anxiety disorder) have been so reduced in me that my friends and spouse remark on it, and my life is simply much more manageable. I am more grounded and more resilient. Amanda is a winner. I highly recommend her, and the wonderful, life-changing work she offers.
-J.S., Ph.D.
In Dr. Roberts, I found a strong, caring and brilliant advisor. She provided guidance through an extremely challenging time in my life. Dr. Roberts came recommended as a successful therapist who specializes in EMDR to treat PTSD and is good with cancer patients. At the time, I was experiencing a litany of major life stressors: brain cancer, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, childhood trauma, work and marriage issues. I was properly skeptical of Dr. Roberts and EMDR when we first met—and that all changed. Dr. Roberts took the long road and over two years together we hit multiple milestones. Her receptiveness allowed me to give voice to my issues. Her responsiveness allowed me to better understand those issues. She improved my sense of self-worth, validated my struggles, and acknowledged my accomplishments. Using EMDR and her therapy methods, Dr. Roberts helped resolve long held childhood issues, reduce the trauma of brain surgery, lower the stress of living with cancer, and create space for deeper contemplation of self in relationship issues. Dr. Roberts was an integral part of my recovery. I believe she has much to offer and I am grateful for her help in navigating the difficult terrain in life’s journey.
-Anonymous survivor of childhood abuse and cancer-J.S., Ph.D.
I have collaborated with Dr. Roberts in multiple roles and observed that she operates at a level of excellence in all that she does and achieves. Dr. Roberts is universally highly regarded, respected, and liked by colleagues, clients and other stakeholders. Dr Roberts is a joy to work alongside. She is warm, thoughtful and engaging in interaction. If you ever need someone to watch your back in a difficult situation, I can’t think of a more genuine and effective person. Dr Roberts excels in her capacity to think through, understand, and respond effectively with the most complex of cases. She presents with the highest standards of ethical practice in her own work and similarly expects the highest standards of ethics of others.
Professor Ian Barron of the University of Massachusetts. Center for International Studies EMDR colleague/researcher and consultant
-Anonymous survivor of childhood abuse and cancer-J.S., Ph.D.

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625 Slaters Lane Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22314

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