Vital Minds Psychotherapy

The effects of trauma may not always be visible. Traumatic events—accidents, abuses, medical incidents, and periods of sustained emotional stress—can take up residence in the nervous system, emotions, and sense of safety for years after the fact. It is normal to respond in any of these ways when faced with something traumatic; however, they can be worse than the trauma itself and make day-to-day living difficult, even long after the event. Trauma therapy work in Hamilton is designed to help people find equilibrium, addressing emotional and physical reactions to trauma. Better today are trauma-informed practices that center safety, choice, and collaboration over unstructured “reliving” of traumatic experiences. This is what allows people to heal at a rate that feels sustainable and empowering. Regulation of the nervous system is an important component of trauma-focused care. Trauma can cause the body to stay in a state of high alert, which can trigger symptoms like anxiety, irritabilit...

Emotional and psychological problems tend to follow patterns of thought that affect emotions and behavior in a powerful manner. When negative thoughts become automatic, they can impact daily life, relationships, and even self-esteem. Cognitive-based methods attempt to disrupt these cycles by encouraging people to identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based, goal-focused approach to treatment. It is based on years of research, and it’s a popular form of treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma stress disorders, and mood-related problems. Treatment is practical and present-centered as opposed to being past experience-oriented. One of the core concepts of CBT is recognizing faulty thought processes, such as catastrophic thinking or black-and-white thinking. Clients gain an understanding of how those thoughts impact feelings and actions. Guided exercises encourage people to reframe their thoughts into more balanced, realistic view...