PTSD Treatment in the Flatiron District, NYC

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) are mental health issues that stem from experiencing either chronic (long term) or acute (short term) traumatic events in one’s lifetime. 

Trauma is defined as “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” These events can be different for everyone. What constitutes trauma is subjective, but pervasive and distressing. We all have varying degrees of distress tolerance.

Two definitions of trauma types:

“T” Traumas:

These include traumas such as sexual assault, physical abuse, life-threatening injuries or events. These also include threats to commit these acts, as well as witnessing such acts.

Vicarious Trauma

When you are a witness of trauma whether via personal proximity (not being abused yourself, but witnessing or knowing of another family member being abused) or working with (such as counselors, ER workers, doctors, etc.) you may also experience trauma responses. This is called experiencing “vicarious trauma.” This can have the same lasting effects as “T” traumas.

 “t” traumas:

These traumas are events that are highly distressing, emotionally taxing, and cause intense and lasting emotional, physical and mental effects. With “t” traumas, it’s important to not look necessarily at the event itself, but at the effect that the event has on the individual. For example, when you are a victim of emotional invalidation from family members, if this causes you distress, emotional invalidation, and you experience an intense reaction to this & it continues to happen – It is a “t” trauma.

Neither “T” or “t” traumas is worse than the other – Both experiences of trauma are valid, real and result in the development of symptoms of PTSD/C-PTSD and both can cause the same level of distress in someone.

What PTSD might look like:

• Avoidance
• Intrusive Memories/Flashbacks
• Nightmares/Dreams
• Dissociation
• inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic events
• persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous”).
• persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events

• persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
• markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities
• feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
• persistent inability to experience positive emotions.
• irritable or aggressive behavior
• reckless or self-destructive behavior
• hypervigilance
• exaggerated startle response
• problems with concentration
• difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is PTSD with additional symptoms such as:

• difficulty controlling your emotions
• feeling very hostile or distrustful towards the world
• constant feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
• feeling as if you are permanently damaged or worthless
• feeling as if you are completely different to other people

You are more likely to develop C-PTSD with:

• you experienced trauma at an early age
• the trauma lasted for a long time
• escape or rescue were unlikely or impossible
• you have experienced multiple traumas

At Empower your Mind Therapy we want to help you navigate these complicated feelings and symptoms in order to build trust with yourself and those around you.

We specialize in helping others process their traumatic experiences while building the skills necessary to handle distressing events, and regulate our emotions to build our lives worth loving.

We provide a safe and validating environment in order for you to begin taking small steps to facing your trauma and taking back control of your life.

We will work on:

In order to better understand how these traumas and symptoms are affecting your life and take the first step to healing please contact us.