408-832-6172 Tomilu@sbcglobal.net

Trauma and PTSD Treatment in San Jose

Online PTSD Treatment and Trauma Counseling

Treatment for Trauma and Chronic Stress

Trauma and PTSD Therapy Transform Your Pain Into Power

Trauma is a psychological response to an unexpected terrible event such as a rape, assault, auto-accident, sudden death of a loved one, domestic violence, natural disaster or war. The most typical short term responses after these events are shock and denial.

Longer Term Responses

The longer term responses can include difficulty with relationships, irritability, rage, shame, physical illnesses, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, nightmares and flashbacks, guilt and avoiding places and situations that trigger PTSD symptoms.

Little Traumas

Trauma can also be the result of ongoing unrelenting stress or adverse life events. Some common causes of stress are:

  • Problems at work
  • Family problems
  • Money problems
  • Health problems
  • Chronic pain
  • A chemically dependent family member
  • Disabled family member
  • Children that are bullied
  • Children that seem out of control
  • Divorce
  • Infidelity

Some of the negative effects of ongoing stress and trauma are depression, anxiety, loss of self-confidence, sleep issues, night mares, health issues, difficult and painful relationships, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, overeating and other addictive and destructive behaviors.

Adult Victims of Abuse In Childhood

Many people who has been the victim of childhood abuse deny that it has an effect on their lives today. They will come to my office because they repeatedly find themselves in relationships with partners who mistreat or disrespect them. They may feel hopeless or unworthy of love. They may feel that nothing good will ever happen to them and that life is hopeless. They may struggle with authority figures. Many men in prison report being abused as a child. Sometimes their struggle is with explosive rage when they are triggered. Many feel anxious and depressed. They are unable to move on with their lives. They may feel guilt and shame and believe that if they just ignore their thoughts and feelings they will go away.

Body Memories

Memories are also stored in the body as are painful blocked emotions. There is some evidence to suggest that childhood victims of abuse have an earlier onset of chronic diseases than their non abused peers and they may have shorter life spans.

Treatment For PTSD and Trauma Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of trauma and chronic stress. It is also being used to desensitize the trigger and urges present in many types of compulsive and addictive behavior. Please see section on EMDR. EMDR seems to move traumatic memories which are not properly stored in the brain into autobiographical storage. This stops the intrusive memories from recurring and causing emotional pain. EMDR also moves the therapy along faster. You don’t stay stuck for years. EMDR is the second most researched form of psychotherapy. The first is CBT. The World Health Organization has stated that only Trauma Focused CBT and EMDR have been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD. I believe there are others that are effective but that is what the World Health Organization has said. When properly done, EMDR takes the pain out of the memories. You can bring the memories up when you want but they no longer cause intense emotional pain. In EMDR the brain heals itself. New insights are gained and the self image is changed. Self esteem is increased. Dr Daniel Amen has done pre and post EMDR brain scans and says the scan reveal change that is permanent is permanent in the brain.

How I Help

I understand the pain of trauma. I have helped others change their lives. I am a Certified E.M.D.R. Therapist through the Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing International Association. I am Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals.

Looking for more information on how I may be of assistance to you in your PTSD and Trauma Therapy – call me at 408-832-6172.

I return all of my calls personally and will get back to you before 12 hours. All calls are confidential.

Email: Tomilu@sbcglobal.net ( My e-mail is not encrypted. Please do not leave detailed personal information.)