Month: February 2022

When choosing a psychiatrist or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), it’s important to choose one that is right for you. It’s important to share your concerns. Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can have different areas of expertise, so not all Psychiatrists/PNPs are right for you.

Some psychiatrists and PNPs may not be comfortable with certain types of mental health disorders or with certain medications or treatment approaches such as working with individuals with complex trauma or treating ADHD. It’s important to find a psychiatrist who is trauma-informed and also is medication informed and helps educate the client on medication symptoms and side effects, as well as long-term impacts of psychotropics and medication use.

What’s the difference between a Psychiatrist and PNP?

Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are health professionals who specialize in mental disorders. Psychiatrists have completed medical school, a residency program in psychiatry, and then may go on to further subspecialize in areas such as child, adolescent, or geriatric psychiatry.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners have specific training through a master’s degree program and/or clinical specialty, and are also able to prescribe medications (under a medical doctor’s supervision).

Though some psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners provide similar services, each type of health professional has their own education and training.

The psychiatrist is usually the doctor who will be involved with diagnosing and prescribing psychiatric medications. The psychiatric nurse practitioner may work with a supervising psychiatrist to help patients explore other treatment options or also prescribe medications under supervision. PNPs also refer them to another mental health professional, such as a mental health therapist. Although, again, a PNP can also prescribe medications under a doctor’s supervision.

Where do you find a Psychiatrist or PNP?

You can find psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in a variety of settings including private practices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, residential settings, etc. Simply doing a Google search can help you located a psychiatrist or PNP near you.

How much does a Psychiatrist or PNP Cost?

Psychiatrists often charge between $200 – $350 per appointment. A PNP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner) visit often costs between $150 – $250. These are the costs for people who pay without insurance.

If you have insurance, you will have to pay the co-pay and/or deductible or other charges, as determined by your insurance provider. Be sure to ask about payment and additional charges when making your appointment. If you want to find psychiatrists or PNPs that take your insurance, see our article on How to Find a Psychiatrist or PNP in Your Area.

If you want to know more about how to choose a psychiatrist or PNP who is right for you, contact us for more info and we’ll be happy to help!

Do I need a therapy…Or when should I see a therapist? Everyone experiences periods of stress, sadness, grief and conflict, especially during this pandemic. When we experience these very normal emotions, it can be challenging to determine when it may actually be time to see a therapist, and when it is just a situational moment causing the temporary emotions.

1 in 5 Adults in America Have a Mental Health Disorder

Well, the truth is one in five American adults suffer from mental illness, which is a lot. Additionally, only about 40-60 percent are actually in treatment. This low rate of seeking treatment can be attributed to the stigma and fear or weakness of seeing a therapist.

The quicker people get help by learning tools, the easier it is to find solutions and the more awareness a person will have about their emotional attunement and behaviors.

Everything in Life Feels Challenging

Moreover, we all experience periods of stress in life. This is normal. However, if you find the stress or overwhelm in your life impairs your ability to function or significantly change your ability to function?

Feeling overwhelmed with anger or sadness on a regular basis could indicate underlying depression or trauma. Additionally, catastrophizing occurs when an unforeseen challenge appears and you immediately assume the worst. This intense form of anxiety can be truly debilitating and cause panic attacks. If your life gets more constricted because you’re avoiding a lot, it might be time to go to therapy.

I Keep Thinking About My Trauma

Additionally, pain of trauma or grief can be enough to require some counseling. Grief from a loss can impair daily functioning and even cause you to withdraw from friends. If you find yourself being disengaged with friends or family, unpacking this with a therapist can be helpful.

Now, on the other hand, some people respond to loss with a more avoidant reaction like hyper-engagement or an inability to sleep or even substances. If you find yourself drinking or using drugs in greater quantities or more often to avoid, it you may need therapy.

I Cannot Function at Work

Changes in work performance are common among those struggling with emotional or psychological issues. You might feel disconnected from your job or unable to concentrate. You might get negative feedback from managers or coworkers that the quality of your work is slipping. This could be a sign that it’s time to see a therapist.”Adults spend most of their time at work,” says Reidenberg. “So people who notice are those who have to compensate, just like in families.”

Should I See a Therapist?

Good question! How do you know if it’s time to seek out a therapist? There are so many factors to consider. Point blank, are your relationships strained? Are you having a difficult time communicating your needs or are you avoiding interacting with friends and loved ones?

Therapy can help empower people to make positive changes in their daily lives, as well as gain the tools and skills needed to effectively deal with stressors or unresolved complex trauma.

What Kind of Therapy Do I Need?

It depends on what your symptoms are and what areas of your life you feel you are struggling in. Do you have anger or irritability? Seeking an Anger Management Therapist may help. Do you find that you are sad most of the time? Are you struggling with trust in your relationships with others, or do you struggle with regulating your emotions? Depending on what you are experiencing and the symptomatology this will determine the type of therapy.

Do I need Therapy Quiz

Take this therapy quiz. Here are 10 quick questions to ask yourself to determine if seeking out a therapist might be something to consider. If you answer “Yes” to more than 7,  consult a therapist or mental health professional. The quiz below is not a diagnostic tool, but it can help you organize your thoughts and see things more clearly.

1. My relationships are suffering.
2. I am unable to concentrate at work and home.
3.  I am unable to relax and rest.
4. I feel irritable
5. I use substances to cope
6. I have uncontrollable emotions
7. I have suicidal thoughts
8. I feel like something bad is about to happen
9. I have panic attacks
10. I feel hopeless

Austin Trauma Therapy Center has some wonderful Trauma Trained Associates. Search here for more information about our associates.

How Long Will I Need to Be in Therapy?

Some people start therapy to help deal with an overwhelming period in their lives, and then stop once that obstacle has been dealt with. Others may stop because they didn’t have a great experience. But whatever the reason for stopping may be, it can actually help to continue seeing your therapist, even when you feel good about your mental health situation.

Continuing your relationship with your therapist can be helpful for many reasons, including learning skills and tools to overcome new situations or dive deeper into reasons for why you sought therapy in the first place. You get to decide how long you need to be in therapy.

Remember, prevention is just as important for your mental health as it is your physical health. Think about your regular trip to the therapist as a trip to the gym. It can help you build your mental health muscles. Your mental health deserves the same attention as your physical health, and therapy is just one way to give it the care it needs.

How Childhood Trauma Impacts Adults

Wondering how childhood trauma impacts adolescents or adults? What are the impacts of childhood trauma on my adult relationship, today? Childhood experiences are crucial to our emotional development.

Our parents, who are our primary attachment figures, play an important role in how we experience the world because they lay the foundation and shape what the world is going to be like for us.

Is it a safe place to explore and take emotional risks? Are all people out to hurt us and therefore untrustworthy? Can we trust other to support us in times of emotional need?

Complex trauma refers to prolonged exposure to a stressful event, or repeated traumatic events layered on top of another. This would include children who have grown up in physically, sexually, and/or emotionally absent or abusive households.

How Childhood Trauma Impacts Adults in the Long Run

Without the safety net of a secure attachment relationship, children grow up to become adults who struggle with feelings of low self-worth and challenges with emotional regulation. They also have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. Impacts of childhood trauma in adult relationships are explained below.

The following are the four basic attachment styles. Please keep in mind that these descriptions are very general; not everyone will have all these characteristics. Attachment styles are relatively fluid and can be ever changing depending on your partner’s own attachment style and the adaptations through each adult relationship.

Secure Attachment in Adults

These individuals usually grew up in a supportive environment where parents consistently responded to their needs. People who are securely attached are generally comfortable with being open about themselves, and asking for help.

The individuals have a positive outlook on life, are comfortable with closeness, and seek physical and/or emotional intimacy with minimal fear of being rejected or overwhelmed.

Securely attached individuals are generally consistent and reliable in their behaviors toward their partner. They tend to include their partner in decisions that could affect their relationship.

Dismissive-avoidant Attachment in Adults

Also referred to as “insecure-avoidant,” children usually develop this attachment style when their primary caregivers are not emotionally responsive or are rejecting of their needs.

Children learn to pull away emotionally as a way to avoid feelings of rejection. As adults, they become uncomfortable with emotional openness and may even deny to themselves their need for intimate relationships.

Individuals place high value on independence and autonomy and develop techniques to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and defend themselves from a perceived threat to their “independence.”

These techniques include, shutting down, sending mixed messages, and avoiding. These coping techniques end up becoming detrimental to their adult relationships.

Fearful-avoidant Attachment in Adults

Also referred to as “disorganized-disoriented,” in some literature, children who have developed this style may have been exposed to prolonged abuse and/or neglect.

Primary caregivers are vital for providing comfort and support, however in a situation involving abuse (including substance use), these primary caregivers are also a source of hurt. These children grow up to become adults who fear intimacy within their relationships but also fear not having close relationships in their lives.

These individuals recognize the value of relationships and have a strong desire for them, but often have a difficult time trusting others. As a result, they avoid being emotionally open with others for fear of being hurt and rejected.

Anxious-preoccupied Attachment in Adults

Sometimes referred to as “insecure-ambivalent,” children develop this form of attachment usually when their parents have been inconsistent with their responses. At times, these parents exhibit nurturing, caring, and attentive behaviors.

Other times they can be cold, rejecting, or emotionally detached. As a result, the child doesn’t know what to expect. Then as an adult, requires a lot of connection within their relationships, sometimes to the point of being “clingy.”

These minor changes can significantly increase this individual’s anxiety. As a result, he or she will focus energy on increasing connection with that partner. Individuals who have this attachment style needs more validation and approval than the other attachment styles.

Neurobiology of Attachment

As products of our own environments, adults will often find themselves repeating the same behaviors witnessed in childhood. This is because the neural pathways developed from childhood traumatic experiences shape the same response with others.

This is not meant to place blame on caregivers for the types of relationships you have as adults. Increased awareness of your own attachment style can help you take those first steps towards improving your relationships as an adult.  This awareness can then help you move towards developing a more securely attached relationship with those around you.

Solutions to Unhealthy Attachment as an Adult

At Austin Trauma Therapy Center, we understand how complex trauma effects you as an adult, which is why we specialize in Attachment-Based Therapy, as well. We are here to help guide you through your emotional journey while you discover the impact of childhood trauma on your adult relationships.

Austin Trauma Therapy Center remains flexible, open and non-judgmental in an effort to cater to your unique needs while ensuring a high standard of quality care. Contact us, today, to speak with any of our therapists.

Are you searching for a PTSD and trauma therapist in Austin, but don’t know where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s discuss more about this, now.

What is PTSD and Trauma?

First, if you are searching for a PTSD and trauma therapist in Austin, it may seem overwhelming. Trauma and PTSD may be acquired in a myriad of different ways and is not confined to sudden, traumatic events such as natural disasters. The emotional wounds can develop over time in long-lasting events such as recurring abandonment (emotional and physical) and more subtle forms of abuse.

When events occur that make us feel extremely unsafe, threatened, or distressed we can develop an emotional or psychological wound. Some people can move beyond this experience with the help of friends, family, and an extensive support network. However, people who do not have these resources often end up feeling very alone. This can lead to an increasing inability to cope, function daily, or maintain regular routines.

Often trauma survivors feel that no one can understand what they went through and the suffering they experience which can cause them to withdraw from loved ones. Conversely, loved ones may realize that something is wrong want to help but feel confused, rejected, and unsure of what they can do to help.

How trauma impacts people

There is no “normal” way to react to trauma – each person is different. Some people try to repress or forget the event by distracting themselves while others may focus on the traumatic event constantly. Irritability and anger with others due to the intrusive memories are also indications of trauma. Often individuals who have experienced trauma lose the ability to feel pleasure, leading to a lack of motivation to do much of anything by isolating and don’t fully realize the impact trauma is having on their lives.

How to cope with PTSD or Trauma?

How does one begin to cope with trauma or PTSD? Well, this is definitely a journey you don’t want to go through alone. Wanting to make some changes to address the trauma in your life is the first step, and we do a little happy dance each time we hear that someone is seeking out a therapist, to guide them through their journey.

Next, having a positive support system is the most important part of this process, because it can be triggering and scary, and you will need support. An Austin-based therapist is often a good form of support, however, they can also help you identify other positive support people. During this wellness journey with your Austin Therapist, you will identify coping/ calming strategies to use with each identified trigger, or concern.

Find a PTSD and Trauma Therapist in Austin

Austin Trauma Therapy Center is designed to handle concerns our clients come to us with. Austin Trauma Therapy Center helps clients develop more effective ways of coping that last a lifetime and evolve long after leaving our trauma therapy center. At Austin Trauma Therapy Center, we want you to know that you don’t have to deal with trauma alone.

We’re here to help you through this difficult time in your life. We see each client as an individual with unique needs and recognize your desire to belong to a community that understands you. To find a PTSD and Trauma Therapist in Austin, you can visit sites like Psychology Today, EMDRIA, or Good Therapy.

If you’re wondering how to find a therapist in Austin or central Texas, you’re in the right place. Finding the right therapist in Austin for your needs can feel a little like looking for love on Tinder—it’s tedious, awkward, and can be a bit scary. Luckily, here are some helpful insights to consider before you dive into your search for a good Therapist in Austin.

SHOP AROUND TO FIND A THERAPIST IN AUSTIN

First, you have to consider where to even begin. When I first considered therapy, I had no clue where to start. I used the same search strategy I use on Google—Therapist “near me,” and go down the list. Sure this could work, however, there are other factors to consider besides location.

Also, consider the Speciality of the Therapist. Do I need someone who can help me with life transitions, trauma or anxiety. Or do I need someone who identifies the same way I do? What particular training does the therapist have? Do they have a background in social work, or addictions?

This is where you’ll want to interview multiple therapists to see if they’re a good fit. It’s not a decision you should easily accept. There are thousands of therapists and only a handful might be right for you. Utilize the free consultations most offer and interview them. Remember: you’re paying for a professional service, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Moreover, use the “filter” search options for a therapist specific to your needs with reputable sites like:

Psychology Today

Good Therapy

LatinX Therapy

Therapy For Black Girls

Multicultural Counselors

Therapy For Black Men

Pride Counseling

Therapy Den

CONSIDER TREATMENT TYPE

Next, consider treatment types. Therapy has come a long way since Rorschach tests. There are now a number of approaches to traditional talk therapy, with even newer modalities being used, as well. Most therapists will utilize multiple modalities throughout their practice, depending on what you might need. Some of these include:

Psychodynamic therapy – This is the traditional, Freudian talk therapy most are familiar with, where unconscious thoughts and feelings are addressed.

Client-centered therapy – Here, the patient takes control of the conversation, while the therapist takes a more hands-off, empathetic role.

Existential therapy – What if you’ve experienced trauma and can’t shake the pervasive feeling that nothing matters? There’s a shrink for that. Existential therapy is rooted in the search for meaning and authenticity.

Gestalt therapy – Gestalt focuses on the here and the now, using environment as a conduit for new forms of meaning. Expect lots of role-play exercises, such as the infamous empty chair technique.

Cognitive behavioral therapy – CBT seeks to change negative thought patterns, which, in turn, changes negative emotions and behaviors. If you enjoy homework and worksheets, then this approach might be for you.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR is a new evidence based treatment used in therapy to reprocess memories or thoughts based on experiences through bilateral stimulation.

More importantly, however, is the relationship you have with your therapist. Research has found that the modality is not the most important thing, having a strong therapeutic alliance, is the major agent of change in therapy.

Read more: What is a trauma therapist? or Signs of Depression.

DISCUSS BUDGET WITH THE THERAPIST

Next, I’d also consider whether or not my budget fits in with the costs of that particular therapist. Therapy can be expensive. If you have insurance, your plan may cover mental and behavioral health. Most therapists do offer free consultations, as well as sliding scale rates, so ask about any additional costs you should expect with each therapist.

Just a helpful hint, the more experienced and the more certifications the Therapist’s have, the more expensive they’ll be.

Be okay with vulnerability

Finally, last, but not least, you must be okay with vulnerability. For the longest time, I struggled to feel a genuine connection with my therapists. It wasn’t until I started seeking therapists who fit exactly what I was looking for—someone who actually made me feel validated and seen—did I really start to let my guard down throughout my sessions and was able to make the necessary changes in my day-to-day life.

Also, it’s important to find somebody who feels curious about you, rather than somebody who’s analyzing you. If the relationship feels genuine, then that gives you space to be authentic yourself. That’s the basis of healing.

People considering therapy should consider the overall value of therapy, not just the cost. To find a therapist who can bring real value to your life, click here.Toggle panel: Yoast SEO

First, what is Depression? Depression is a disorder that affects both the mind and body. Over 16 million Americans suffer, which shows how prevalent this disorder is in our society. Additionally, it can be a tricky thing to diagnose. Often, the person suffering won’t even know that they are depressed. If you suspect you may be depressed or know a loved one who is suffering, call a therapist in south Austin or Austin Trauma Therapy Center. A therapist will help you work through the depression and give you tools and techniques to help you feel better. Read on for some symptoms of depression to look out for.

Feelings of Sadness and Despair

Everyone feels sad from time to time. If you are feeling sad frequently, it may be a symptom of depression. Sometimes you might even feel sad for no reason. Monitor your feelings in a mood journal to evaluate how frequent these feelings of sadness are.

Irritability

Did you know that feelings of irritability can indicate depression? Just like sadness, everyone feels irritable occasionally. The issue arises when these feelings become more consistent or if you find yourself feeling irritable in situations that should not be making you irritable.

Self-Doubt

Depression often comes with feelings of self-doubt. It can take away your confidence and leave you with thoughts like “I’m bad at my job,” “I’m not good enough for my spouse,” or “I’m a bad mother.” If you notice that self-doubting thoughts are running through your head more often than not, it is time to consider seeing a therapist.

Loss of Pleasure

A key symptom of depression is a loss of pleasure. Activities that were once enjoyable may now seem dull or unexciting. If you find yourself lacking joy in situations that were once fun, depression may be the cause.

Distorted and Negative Views

Depression can bring on distorted and negative views. These views could be about the self, family members, friends, work, or relationships. Furthermore, negative thoughts can bring on more negative thoughts. This cycle is common in depression.

Depression is scary and can creep up on people without them realizing it. All of a sudden they feel overwhelmed with symptoms like sadness, irritability, self-doubt, loss of pleasure, and negative views. This should not be battled alone. A therapist is key to helping you through your depression. Austin Trauma Therapy Center is a place where you can find a trusted, experienced, therapist in south Austin. Contact us today for a 15-minute phone consultation where we can discuss your needs and start to come up with a therapy plan.