What to Expect When Starting Therapy
After your first session, you and your therapist may have a better understanding of what you’d like to work on and how to structure future sessions. Your therapist may discuss different treatment approaches, how often you will meet, and some initial goals that feel realistic.
It’s also normal to leave your first session with different emotions. You might feel relief after talking about your feelings, or it may take some time to process the conversation. There is no “correct” way to feel; therapy is a gradual process, and the initial session is an important first step.
Finding the Right Fit
Your first session is also an opportunity to consider whether the therapist feels like a good fit for you. You may want to consider whether you felt heard, respected, comfortable, and whether their approach feels aligned with what you need.
It can take more than one session to know if a therapist is the right fit. It’s important to take your time, ask questions when they arise, and feel comfortable communicating openly with your therapist.
Experiencing a traumatic event can affect people in different ways. Difficult emotions and stress are common after trauma. However, if symptoms are persistent and begin to interfere with daily life, it may be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD can affect how you think, feel, and respond to situations. You may be experiencing symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and feeling on edge. Understanding the signs and symptoms of PTSD and the treatment options available can be an important first step in getting the support you may need.
In this article, we’ll explore:
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This may include serious accidents, violence, abuse, natural disasters, combat, and other situations involving threat. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and people may respond to trauma in many different ways.
PTSD can cause changes in thoughts, emotions, and responses that continue after the traumatic event has passed. Symptoms can include intrusive memories, nightmares, avoiding reminders of the trauma, changes in mood and thinking, and feeling on edge. When these symptoms interfere with daily life and relationships, professional support may be helpful.
PTSD is treatable, and evidence-based therapy can help people manage symptoms and improve overall wellbeing.
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms can vary from person to person. Symptoms are generally grouped into four main categories:
Intrusive memories
Unwanted or distressing memories of the traumatic event, including nightmares.
Avoidance
Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event.
Changes in thoughts and mood
Persistent negative thoughts, feelings of guilt, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, or feeling disconnected from others.
Changes in physical and emotional behaviors
Feeling on alert, being easily startled, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability, or engaging in risky behavior.
Treatment for PTSD
PTSD is treatable and treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. The most appropriate approach depends on your symptoms, experiences, needs, and goals.
Psychotherapy is one of the primary treatments for PTSD.
Evidence-based approaches may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies and changes unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior related to traumatic experiences.
Exposure-based therapies: Supports people in gradually and safely approaching trauma-related triggers that they may have been avoiding.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Helps people work through difficult beliefs and thoughts related to a traumatic experience.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses structured techniques to help people process distressing traumatic memories.
Medication may also be used to help manage certain PTSD symptoms and can be used in addition to psychotherapy. Treatment is individualized, and a mental health professional can help determine the most supportive approach.
When to Seek Support
It is common to experience stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, or other emotional reactions after a traumatic event. For many people, these reactions gradually improve over time. However, professional support may be helpful when symptoms persist, become more difficult to manage, or begin to interfere with daily life.
Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if you’re experiencing:
Persistent intrusive memories or flashbacks
Nightmares
Ongoing feelings of fear, guilt, anger, or numbness
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Changes in relationships, work, or school
Symptoms that continue for weeks or become increasingly distressing
You do not need to wait until symptoms are severe to seek help. A mental health professional can help you understand your experiences and determine what form of support is most appropriate.
If you're unsure whether it may be time to seek professional support, learn more about signs it may be time to consider therapy.
PTSD & Trauma Therapy at Kendall Psychological Associates
If symptoms related to PTSD and trauma are affecting your daily life and overall well-being, professional support can help. At Kendall Psychological Associates, our experienced clinicians provide personalized, evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD.
Kendall Psychological Associates offers in-person therapy in Cambridge and Salem, Massachusetts, as well as telehealth appointments across Massachusetts. If you’re ready to explore support for PTSD or trauma-related concerns, request an appointment to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Common signs of PTSD can include intrusive memories or nightmares, avoiding reminders of a traumatic event, persistent negative changes in mood or thinking, feeling constantly on alert, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may affect different areas of daily life.
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Living with PTSD can affect thoughts, emotions, relationships, sleep, and everyday routines. Some people may experience unwanted memories or nightmares, avoid situations that remind them of the trauma, feel disconnected from others, or remain unusually alert to potential danger. The experience of PTSD is different for everyone.
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Yes. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and experiencing distress after trauma does not necessarily mean someone has the condition.
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PTSD is diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional who evaluates a person’s symptoms, experiences, how long symptoms have been present, and how they affect daily functioning. PTSD symptoms generally need to persist for more than one month and meet specific diagnostic criteria.
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Yes. PTSD can be treated with evidence-based psychotherapy, and medication may also be helpful for some people. Treatment is individualized and may include approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), exposure-based therapies, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).