Sometimes when people have been through a shock or a trauma such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war, combat, sexual assault, or other violent personal assault, they develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). First responders such as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and emergency room doctors, nurses, and staff can also experience PTSD symptoms from repeated exposure to horrific events, responding to “bad calls,” seeing others in crisis, or seeing severe injury or death. PTSD may affect men and women of all ages, ethnicity, nationality, and culture. The most common symptoms include flashbacks to the traumatic event, nightmares, emotional apathy, depression, lack of interest in daily activities, bouts of anger, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and negative thoughts about oneself.

The good news is that if you have symptoms of PTSD and Trauma, it can be treated successfully. At Darling Psychology, we treat PTSD with frontline interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and somatic experiencing. Most importantly, our doctors are respectful of your pace and process because we know that feeling forced or pushed too quickly when dealing with trauma only makes things worse. While helping you through the process, we give you time and space from the demands of work to allow your mind, body, and emotions to process, rest and relax, and heal. Additionally, our office staff and doctors assist with the California Short-Term Disability Insurance and Human Resources paperwork process so that you can focus on restoring a sense of safety, calm, and well-being.