Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a mental health condition that is the result of experiencing multiple traumatic events over an extended period of time, which is often referred to as "complex trauma." This involves exposure to an event or series of events that are extremely threatening or horrific in nature, such as prolonged or repetitive events from which escape is difficult or impossible. 

Folks with C-PTSD also meet the diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which includes the following three symptoms: a persistent sense of threat, avoidance of trauma-related reminders, & re-experiencing or reliving the traumas— such as through memories, somatic flashbacks, emotional flashbacks, dissociative flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts about the traumas. 

Compared to standard PTSD, C-PTSD causes a wider ranger of symptoms. These additional symptoms are known as "disturbances in self-organization." These disturbances include severe & persistent difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception & negative beliefs about oneself, & sustaining close interpersonal relationships.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based modality that can be an effective approach for those who with trauma or C-PTSD. The main focus of ACT is to help you with accepting difficult thoughts & feelings while moving towards living a more meaningful life by aligning your actions with your values— that is, what matters most to you. Another focus of ACT is to reduce "experiential avoidance," where you attempt to escape or control your unwanted thoughts & emotions— a primary feature of trauma & C-PTSD.

In order to better adapt to difficult experiences, ACT encourages you to remain true to your values. According to ACT, accomplishing this requires you to do the following: 1) practice mindfulness & a present moment focus, 2) accept discomfort & uncomfortable thoughts & emotions, & 3) commit to taking action that aligns with your values. By engaging in these practices, you can take back control of your life & move towards living a more aligned life, minimizing the impact that C-PTSD has on your daily life. 

In applying ACT to C-PTSD, there are 6 key principles: a present moment awareness, acceptance, defusion, self-as-context, values, & committed action. Firstly, practicing a present moment focus allows you to experience life's challenges now, without getting sucked in to ruminating about past trauma or worrying about potentially re-experiencing traumas in the future. Acceptance involves being willing to experience uncomfortable emotions & sensations without attempting to control or change them, allowing you to be fully present with them. Third is a healthy defusion practice, where you practice seeing your thoughts as just thoughts, rather than as literal truths. With this approach, you can regain power over your thoughts, so that they have less influence on your behavior. 

In addition, "self-as-context" refers to the recognition that the self is a separate observer of your thoughts & feelings. Instead of over-identifying with your thoughts & feelings, you learn to separate or distance yourself from them. Values play a crucial role in ACT, as you are supported to identify the areas of life & ways of being that you deem important & meaningful. Lastly, with "committed action," you engage in actions that align with your values, even when it means confronting difficulties or your discomfort. Collectively, the 6 key principles empower you to live in the present according to your values, learning to more fully engage in your life & relationships with more self-compassion. 

Below are some of the types of trauma I have clinical and/or lived experience with:

Acute Trauma

Attachment Trauma

Childhood Abuse & Trauma

Chronic Trauma & Neglect

Complex Trauma

Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence/Abusive Relationships

Intergenerational Trauma

LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, Abuse, & Trauma

Medical Trauma, Chronic Illness, & Disability

Neurodivergent Trauma & Late-Diagnosis

Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse, & Deconstruction (Christian Evangelical Fundamentalist & Catholic)

Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Rape, & Sexual Violence

Suicide Loss

Treatment Trauma

Yes! To book your complimentary initial 15-minute video consultation, simply click the below button.