FAQ - Family & Trauma Healing

What do you mean when you say "healing people on a deeper level"?

This is the creation of a safe space to help people heal at their deepest level. Too often we equate “being well” with our physical health and appearance (ie. our hair, body shape, the absence of a physical illness, etc.). When we are struggling emotionally, it is often hidden from the outside world and even from those closest to us.

All too frequently, individuals either hide their pain and anxiety completely or act out in their behaviors towards themselves and others. Unfortunately, buried feelings tend to rise, often resurfacing at less-than-ideal times. Unprocessed emotions can spawn dysfunctional coping strategies that result in failed relationships, compulsions, and physical or behavioral addictions.

At the Family Counseling and Trauma Healing Center, we tend to our clients as they face memories or issues too painful to confront alone. Individuals who are struggling with core life issues need containment, support, compassion, acceptance, patience, empathy, and most importantly, a safe space to share and heal their narrative.

Our therapeutic soul-tending approach includes intensive individual and group therapies utilizing evidenced-based techniques such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), trauma stage processing, yoga therapy, group acupuncture, art therapy, walk & talk sessions, yoga, and other movement classes. These integrative approaches support the healing of the whole person.

What constitutes trauma?

Any experience, including in childhood, that causes unbearable psychic pain or anxiety - it overwhelms us and it changes us. Gabor Mate: "Trauma isn't what happens to you - it's what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you."

What is trauma-informed care?

An approach to engaging with someone with a history of trauma that asks us to recognize the presence of trauma symptoms and the role that trauma has played, and continues to play, in their life.

We all have some wounding in our histories...none of us escapes the trauma of our world. Trauma-informed care is a way of being in relation to others and ourselves, and this is how we treat everyone in our program.

What is the difference between PTSD and C-PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often defined by a variety of behavioral & physical symptoms such as nightmares, avoidance of certain sounds or situations, jittery behavior, flashbacks, and/or trouble sleeping. PTSD is often the result of one traumatic event.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a psychological disorder that develops in response to prolonged, repeated experience of interpersonal trauma in a context in which the individual has little or no chance to escape. The symptoms of PTSD occur with additional possible symptoms such as disassociation, negative self-perception, and/or difficulty with relationships. C-PTSD often takes longer to heal.

For more information on trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD visit Psychology Today.

What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP)?

Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP) is a treatment approach that combines the use of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, with psychotherapy. Ketamine has been found to have rapid antidepressant effects, particularly for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.

During the therapy sessions, patients typically receive a controlled dose of ketamine, which can be administered via infusion, nasal spray, or lozenge. The goal is to help patients access deeper emotional states and enhance the therapeutic experience. While under the influence of ketamine, individuals may gain new perspectives on their thoughts and feelings, which can facilitate healing and emotional processing.

The therapy is usually conducted in a supportive setting with a trained therapist present to guide the process and help integrate the experiences afterward. It’s important to note that ketamine-assisted therapy is often part of a broader treatment plan that may include traditional psychotherapy and other therapeutic modalities.

How is a day program different from a residential healing center?

Because participants get to go home each evening by 5 pm, Family Counseling and Trauma Healing Center allows an individual to have the integrative support of a high-end residential-type program at a fraction of the cost.

The average quality residential program offering similar services costs between $30,000-$70,000 for a four-week program. Our overhead is kept low by not providing meals and housing. An out-of-town client who rents a hotel room and attends our program will still spend thousands less on our program than they would at a residential facility.

Can I continue with my individual therapist after the program?

At the client’s request, we work closely with the referring therapist during and after (as needed) the participant’s time in the program. Additionally, clients leave the program with a continuing care plan that includes reintegrating work with their current therapist as well as building a support system outside of therapy. We understand that trauma, especially complex trauma, is an ongoing healing process.

What about my medications?

We do not prescribe any medication. Clients will continue with their psychiatrists or medical doctors to continue their medications. Therapists work closely with all doctors to make sure the client maintains stabilized care and that the medications do not get in the way of their ability to heal.

Do you take insurance?

Aligned with our decision to keep costs down by being a day program, we do not accept or bill insurance of any type. We can, however, provide clients with a “super bill” at the end of each week. You may submit the super bill to your insurance company in an effort to be reimbursed for out-of-network therapy and group therapy sessions.

How can I pay for the program?

We accept all major credit & debit cards. We also accept Venmo, checks, and cash.

Addiction

Studies show that addiction is often the result of trauma that has not been properly healed. We have targeted sessions for our clients who suffer from addictions such as gambling, food, alcohol, drugs, sex, and/or shopping. Clients must be medically stable to attend counseling at the center. To start any group or program, individuals must be clean and sober for at least 10 days. Clients are encouraged to add 12-step, Refuge Recovery or S.M.A.R.T. recovery to their program and as part of their aftercare plan.

Binge Eating Disorder

Our clients who suffer from binge eating disorder will benefit from sessions designed to address their situation. A program specific to binge eating will be based on the non-diet/food addiction model. We have an Eating Disorder Specialist who meets with the clients for issues around eating and body image.

Interventions

Interventions facilitate the road to recovery for the individual and the family. There can be healing, hope, and a new way of living for all those affected by trauma and addiction. Our goal is to educate the family and follow the loved one into their first stages of healing. Our mission is to build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.

Intervention services include pre-intervention Education and Empowerment Training sessions (including a master’s licensed marriage and family therapist addiction specialist and an assistant); and a hands-on Intervention process to provide support for family members and participants.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD.

EMDR works quickly, is integrative, doesn’t necessitate prolonged re-exposure (which can feel like re-traumatizing), and requires little homework.

EMDR activates natural processing capacities of the brain that are frozen and deactivated by trauma.

EMDR re-establishes disrupted communication between the brain regions impacted by traumatic experience and enables the traumatized brain to heal. For more information on EMDR please visit www.emdria.org.

How can coaching help trauma recovery?

Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process. Coaching inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential. It begins while a client is in the trauma treatment program and continues after they return home, offering clients additional perspectives, strategies, and accountability. When coupled with the other healing center modalities, clients more quickly move forward to the future they desire.

What is Somatic Processing?

Somatic processing is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between the mind and body, emphasizing how physical sensations and experiences can influence emotional and psychological well-being. The term "somatic" refers to the body, and this approach recognizes that emotions and trauma can be stored in the body, manifesting as physical tension, discomfort, or other sensations.

In somatic processing, individuals are encouraged to tune into their bodily experiences, allowing them to become aware of how emotions are expressed physically. This can involve techniques such as breath work, movement, touch, or mindfulness to help release stored emotions and trauma. The goal is to foster a greater awareness of the body’s signals, promoting healing and emotional release.

Somatic processing is often used in various therapeutic contexts, including trauma therapy, anxiety, and stress management, and can be integrated with other therapeutic methods for a more holistic approach to mental health.

Healing program services that may be suggested to a client:

Services How this can facilitate healing

Specialized Therapy Options

EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. EMDR works relatively quickly, is integrative, doesn’t necessitate prolonged re-exposure (which can feel like re-traumatizing), and requires little homework. EMDR activates natural processing capacities of the brain that are frozen and deactivated by trauma. EMDR re-establishes disrupted communication between the brain regions impacted by traumatic experience and enables the traumatized brain to heal.

Family Systems Work The very foundation of self and our relationship to the world are shaped in our early family systems. Family Constellation work allows us to visit our early family systems in order to uncover systemic trauma, unconscious relational patterns, and learned behaviors – to gather the parts of self that got dispersed, so the roots of where we are stuck today might be revealed. When participants are able to recognize that, “What is happening in you today, is really over there…” healing and the shifts toward wholeness are fostered.

Processing with Art Therapy processing with art is appropriate for all ages and often leads to increased confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Improved communication, concentration and decreased feelings of isolation are just a few of the benefits. Art processing helps individuals by reducing stress, managing addiction, and exploring emotions, and can help to cope with a physical illness or disability. Art experience is not necessary to successfully participate in art processing. Individuals who struggle to properly express themselves through talk therapy may find a release of their held emotions as they process through the various art mediums.

Disordered Eating Support We offer a non-diet approach helping clients to focus inward on what physical sensations they have when they feel triggered to exhibit any disordered eating behaviors. Our therapists can better help clients recognize, minimize and heal these harmful behaviors. Imagine loving your body again and if you can’t, then think about being able to accept it…finding peace with your body and within your body.

Bodywork (trauma informed) Clients experience various types of bodywork, usually after the therapy sessions to help somatically move the trauma through the system. Each practioner offers a slightly different technique and they communicate closely with the primary therapist before the session.

Breathwork The human body is constantly using breath to change its state, but most of us never notice and almost none of us understand what the changes mean. With every sigh, yawn, or gasp, your body is leveraging the power of your breath to better meet the demands of the present moment. Through Breathwork, we learn to better understand our emotions via understanding the language of our breath—and we learn to consciously use our breath in ways that habituate more adaptive states of peace, relaxation, strength, and connection.

Didactic Clients spend an hour a day doing prepatory exercises which are assigned by their primary therapist that adjunct what is being worked on. This could be short videos, journal exercises, short readings, etc.

Ear point acupuncture Ear point acupuncture is used to calm the central nervous system and reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol.

Grief recovery & support services We validate that feelings of grief & loss are normal and natural. People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don’t tell you what you need to do to accomplish that. The Grief Recovery Method® Outreach Program not only makes that possible but provides partnerships and guidance to ensure that it happens. This service is added to intensive programs as needed. We also work with a death doula when appropriate.

Life Balancing Many of us lose balance in our lives. We work more than we wish, spend too much time supporting others, or don't have time to pursue our own dreams. Through regularly scheduled coaching sessions, the client and coach work together to clearly define where they want more balance, and then design an actionable plan to achieve it! When combined with trauma healing, this also provides the client with additional support and accountability in their after-care program.

Guided meditation/mindfulness We use guided meditation & mindfulness to start the day and to allow clients to ground & be "here" before they go into their therapy session.

Mental fitness Mental fitness is defined as being able to handle life's challenges with a more positive mindset and more resiliency. Your mind is your best friend. But it can also be your worst enemy. Using research-based tools, we can help clients strengthen the part of their brain that serves them well, and quiet the part that sabotages them. Working independently as well as directly with our staff, clients learn how to reduce negative self-talk, quiet the “Judge” that lives within, and increase positivity for themselves and those around them.

Recovery support/peer support Recovery support offers customized services to identify and break-free from addictive or compulsive behaviors. Clients dive deep into what triggers behaviors, and are taught additional coping skills and healing connection by working one-on-one or in small group settings.

Reiki The imprints of our past experiences throughout all of the layers of our being. Our physical body holds the memories of our past experiences and so does our subtle physical body of energy. Energy treatments target this area. Bringing a method of healing to the subtle spaces within a human being because the health of a person depends on the unblocked circulation of energy.

Yoga therapy/restorative After trauma processing, clients may benefit from moving directly into restorative yoga to help integrate & settle into their parasympathetic nervous system.

Healing program services that may be suggested to a client:

Services	How this can facilitate healing

Specialized Therapy Options

EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing)	Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. EMDR works relatively quickly, is integrative, doesn’t necessitate prolonged re-exposure (which can feel like re-traumatizing), and requires little homework. EMDR activates natural processing capacities of the brain that are frozen and deactivated by trauma. EMDR re-establishes disrupted communication between the brain regions impacted by traumatic experience and enables the traumatized brain to heal.
Family Systems Work	The very foundation of self and our relationship to the world are shaped in our early family systems. Family Constellation work allows us to visit our early family systems in order to uncover systemic trauma, unconscious relational patterns, and learned behaviors – to gather the parts of self that got dispersed, so the roots of where we are stuck today might be revealed. When participants are able to recognize that, “What is happening in you today, is really over there…” healing and the shifts toward wholeness are fostered.
Processing with Art	Therapy processing with art is appropriate for all ages and often leads to increased confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Improved communication, concentration and decreased feelings of isolation are just a few of the benefits. Art processing helps individuals by reducing stress, managing addiction, and exploring emotions, and can help to cope with a physical illness or disability. Art experience is not necessary to successfully participate in art processing. Individuals who struggle to properly express themselves through talk therapy may find a release of their held emotions as they process through the various art mediums.
Disordered Eating Support	We offer a non-diet approach helping clients to focus inward on what physical sensations they have when they feel triggered to exhibit any disordered eating behaviors. Our therapists can better help clients recognize, minimize and heal these harmful behaviors. Imagine loving your body again and if you can’t, then think about being able to accept it…finding peace with your body and within your body.

Bodywork (trauma informed)	Clients experience various types of bodywork, usually after the therapy sessions to help somatically move the trauma through the system. Each practioner offers a slightly different technique and they communicate closely with the primary therapist before the session.

Breathwork	The human body is constantly using breath to change its state, but most of us never notice and almost none of us understand what the changes mean. With every sigh, yawn, or gasp, your body is leveraging the power of your breath to better meet the demands of the present moment. Through Breathwork, we learn to better understand our emotions via understanding the language of our breath—and we learn to consciously use our breath in ways that habituate more adaptive states of peace, relaxation, strength, and connection.

Didactic	Clients spend an hour a day doing prepatory exercises which are assigned by their primary therapist that adjunct what is being worked on. This could be short videos, journal exercises, short readings, etc.

Ear point acupuncture	Ear point acupuncture is used to calm the central nervous system and reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol.

Grief recovery & support services	We validate that feelings of grief & loss are normal and natural. People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don’t tell you what you need to do to accomplish that. The Grief Recovery Method® Outreach Program not only makes that possible but provides partnerships and guidance to ensure that it happens. This service is added to intensive programs as needed. We also work with a death doula when appropriate.

Life Balancing	Many of us lose balance in our lives. We work more than we wish, spend too much time supporting others, or don't have time to pursue our own dreams. Through regularly scheduled coaching sessions, the client and coach work together to clearly define where they want more balance, and then design an actionable plan to achieve it! When combined with trauma healing, this also provides the client with additional support and accountability in their after-care program.

Guided meditation/mindfulness	We use guided meditation & mindfulness to start the day and to allow clients to ground & be "here" before they go into their therapy session.

Mental fitness	Mental fitness is defined as being able to handle life's challenges with a more positive mindset and more resiliency. Your mind is your best friend. But it can also be your worst enemy. Using research-based tools, we can help clients strengthen the part of their brain that serves them well, and quiet the part that sabotages them. Working independently as well as directly with our staff, clients learn how to reduce negative self-talk, quiet the “Judge” that lives within, and increase positivity for themselves and those around them.

Recovery support/peer support	Recovery support offers customized services to identify and break-free from addictive or compulsive behaviors. Clients dive deep into what triggers behaviors, and are taught additional coping skills and healing connection by working one-on-one or in small group settings.

Reiki	The imprints of our past experiences throughout all of the layers of our being. Our physical body holds the memories of our past experiences and so does our subtle physical body of energy. Energy treatments target this area. Bringing a method of healing to the subtle spaces within a human being because the health of a person depends on the unblocked circulation of energy.

Yoga therapy/restorative	After trauma processing, clients may benefit from moving directly into restorative yoga to help integrate & settle into their parasympathetic nervous system.