Author: sgiacomucci (Page 1 of 6)

Dr. Scott Giacomucci, DSW, LCSW, BCD, CGP, FAAETS, TEP

Trauma-Informed Care has become increasingly recognized as an essential approach in both therapeutic settings and broader organizational contexts. Despite its growing acceptance, several myths persist about what trauma-informed care is and how it should be applied. Let’s debunk some of the most common misconceptions.

Myth 1: Trauma-Informed Care Is Only for People with Trauma

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Is for Everyone

One of the most widespread myths is that trauma-informed care is relevant only for individuals who have experienced trauma. While it is indeed designed to support those affected by trauma, its principles benefit everyone. Trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment—universal needs that improve interactions and outcomes in all settings, whether or not trauma is involved. By creating environments where everyone feels respected and valued, trauma-informed care fosters positive outcomes across all interactions.

If you are working with humans, you are working with trauma survivors. Trauma-informed care is useful in any industry, organization, and system.

Myth 2: Trauma-Informed Care Is a Specific Therapy

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Is a Philosophy That Can Be Incorporated into Any Therapy or System

Another misconception is that trauma-informed care is a specific type of therapy or intervention. In reality, it is a broader philosophy or framework that can be integrated into any therapeutic approach or organizational system. It involves shifting the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” This change in perspective can be applied across various settings, from healthcare to education, ensuring that all services are delivered with an understanding of how trauma impacts individuals.

Myth 3: Trauma-Informed Care Is Only for Therapists and Mental Health Providers

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Was Created for Organizations and Systems

While trauma-informed care is vital in therapeutic settings, it was originally designed with an emphasis on organizational culture and structures. The principles of trauma-informed care can and should be integrated into any system, including schools, hospitals, criminal justice systems, and workplaces. By implementing trauma-informed practices at an organizational level, systems can create environments that are sensitive to the needs of all individuals, especially those who have experienced trauma.

Myth 4: There Is No Accountability in Trauma-Informed Care

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Offers Flexibility While Still Holding People Accountable

Some believe that trauma-informed care allows people to avoid responsibility for their actions due to its focus on understanding and empathy. However, trauma-informed care does not eliminate accountability; instead, it balances flexibility with clear expectations. Trauma-informed care values control and choice, allowing individuals to make decisions about their care and actions. At the same time, it includes predictable and thoughtful consequences. By understanding the underlying reasons behind someone’s behavior, trauma-informed care enables providers to address issues in a compassionate yet effective manner.

Myth 5: Trauma-Informed Care Avoids Catharsis

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Values Catharsis but Not as the Primary Source of Change

There is a misconception that trauma-informed care avoids emotional catharsis altogether. In truth, trauma-informed practitioners do value catharsis, but it is not seen as the primary driver of change. Instead, trauma-informed care focuses first on building strengths and ensuring safety. Only when a stable foundation is established does catharsis become a tool for deeper emotional processing, ultimately leading to growth. This careful approach helps prevent retraumatization and ensures that emotional release happens in a controlled, supportive environment and within a trusting relationship.

Myth 6: Trauma-Informed Care Either Avoids Trauma Processing or Requires One to Talk About Trauma

Reality: Trauma-Informed Care Emphasizes Client Choice and Autonomy

A final myth is that trauma-informed care either forces clients to talk about their trauma or avoids it entirely. In reality, trauma-informed care prioritizes the client’s choice and autonomy. It provides structure and support, allowing clients to decide if and when they want to discuss their trauma. Practitioners understand the importance of not reprocessing trauma too quickly and work to create an environment where the client feels safe and in control of their healing journey.

Reach out to us to bring trauma-informed care training to your organization or team! Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Trauma-informed care is a versatile, compassionate approach that goes beyond specific therapies to influence entire systems. By debunking these myths, we can better understand the true value of trauma-informed care and its potential to transform how we support individuals and communities in healing and growth. Whether you’re a therapist, a teacher, or part of a larger organization, integrating trauma-informed principles can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve.

To learn more about trauma-informed care, consider downloading SAMHSA’s resources, following us on YouTube, or purchasing Dr. Scott Giacomucci’s new book on the topic.

Offering EMDR Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful approach primarily used to treat trauma and its associated symptoms. It was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has gained recognition for its effectiveness in helping individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. The structured nature of EMDR therapy is encapsulated in its 8 Phases and 3 Prongs, which together form a comprehensive approach to trauma healing. Understanding these phases and prongs will help you as you begin your EMDR journey!

The 8 Phases of EMDR

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s history and identifies target memories for processing. This phase also includes assessing the client’s readiness for EMDR.
2. Preparation: The therapist explains the EMDR process, establishes trust, and ensures the client has the necessary coping strategies to manage distress during the therapy. This phase involves EMDR Resourcing and development of a safe place or other coping skills to manage difficult emotions.
3. Assessment: This phase involves identifying specific aspects of the traumatic memory, including the visual image, negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations associated with it.
4. Desensitization: The core of EMDR, this phase uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) to help the client reprocess the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional charge.
5. Installation: Positive beliefs are strengthened in this phase, replacing the negative beliefs originally associated with the traumatic memory.
6. Body Scan: The therapist guides the client to focus on any residual physical tension related to the trauma, helping to release it.
7. Closure: The therapist ensures that the client leaves the session feeling stable and provides strategies for self-care between sessions.
8. Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist assesses the client’s progress and determines if further processing is needed.

The 3 Pronged Approach of EMDR

The 3 Prongs of EMDR address trauma from all angles, ensuring a holistic healing process:

1. Past: Focuses on processing past traumatic events that have contributed to current distress.
2. Present: Addresses current situations that trigger distressing responses linked to past trauma.
3. Future: Prepares the client to handle future challenges, fostering resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms.

EMDR’s structured approach, through its 8 Phases and 3 Prongs, offers a comprehensive path to healing for trauma survivors. By addressing the past, present, and future, EMDR not only helps in desensitizing traumatic memories but also empowers individuals to live more adaptive and fulfilling lives.

Offering EMDR Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Offering Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

by Sarah Jayne Oltz, MS, NCC, CTP (Accepting New Clients!)

Trauma can permeate every aspect of a person’s identity including sexuality (an individual’s desires, behaviors, feelings, and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy) and gender (one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither). The intersection of trauma with these deeply personal aspects of self can create complex challenges, influencing how one perceives oneself and interacts with the world. For some individuals, trauma may exacerbate feelings of dysphoria (a profound sense of unease and dissatisfaction) or confusion about their sexuality and gender. This could stem from experiences of invalidation or violence based on their gender identity, further complicating their journey towards self-acceptance.

LGBTQIA+ Trauma

For individuals who are already marginalized based on their sexuality and gender identity, such as those who identify as LGBTQIA+, trauma can compound feelings of alienation and fear. LGBTQIA+ individuals often face specific challenges related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and the societal discrimination and violence they endure, creating a cycle of vulnerability and distress.

1. Identity-based Trauma: Many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience trauma directly related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can include bullying, harassment, familial rejection, or violence. Such experiences can profoundly affect their sense of safety and self-worth.
2. Internalized Shame and Stigma: Society’s pervasive heteronormative and cisnormative attitudes can lead LGBTQIA+ individuals to internalize shame about their identities. This internalized stigma can manifest as self-hatred, low self-esteem, or even self-destructive behaviors, exacerbating the impact of trauma.
3. Discrimination and Violence: LGBTQIA+ individuals are disproportionately at risk of experiencing discrimination and violence due to their identities. Hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and denial of healthcare services based on sexual orientation or gender identity are all too common, contributing to a heightened sense of vulnerability and trauma.

Intersectionality

The experience of trauma within the LGBTQIA+ community is further complicated by intersectionality—the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and disability. It is essential to acknowledge the intersectional experience of LGBTQIA+ individuals who also belong to other marginalized groups, and that the trauma they face may be compounded by systemic racism and discrimination within both LGBTQIA+ and mainstream communities.

Healing and Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy tailored to the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals can be instrumental in fostering healing and empowerment. By affirming identities, addressing internalized stigma, processing identity-based trauma, exploring intersectional experiences, building coping skills, advocating for clients, and creating safe spaces, therapists can support LGBTQIA+ individuals on their journey toward healing and empowerment. Through compassionate and affirming care, trauma therapy helps clients reclaim their narratives, cultivate resilience, and thrive authentically.

Specifically, experiential modalities such as EMDR, psychodrama, IFS, body-based work, and therapy groups can be especially impactful for addressing the complexity of trauma. Experiential trauma therapy encompasses a range of techniques that engage clients in activities or processes designed to access and process traumatic memories and emotions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, experiential methods focus on the sensory and emotional aspects of trauma, aiming to create transformative healing experiences.

Hope For The Future

Despite the challenges posed by trauma, many individuals find strength and liberation in their journeys towards self-discovery and healing. The process of integrating traumatic experiences with one’s gender and sexual identity can be empowering, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance of oneself.

When trauma intersects with gender and sexuality, the resulting challenges can be profound, but so too can be the opportunities for post-traumatic growth. Cultivating inclusive and affirming environments, advocating for systemic change, and fostering community support are critical steps toward creating a society where all LGBTQIA+ individuals can thrive authentically and free from the burdens of trauma. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels safe, valued, and empowered to live their truth.

At the Phoenix Center, we offer an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking trauma therapy. Our approach is rooted in understanding and validating your unique experiences, creating a supportive environment where you can explore healing without fear of judgment. Take the step towards healing with us, where your identity is celebrated and your healing process is personalized to meet your needs.

Offering Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Offering Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Do you ever find yourself grappling with feelings of depression and anxiety, unsure of where they stem from? While there can be various factors contributing to these mental health challenges, it’s essential to consider the role that past trauma or adversity may play in your present experience of anxiety or depression.

Traumatic experiences or adverse childhood events can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being, often leading to long-lasting effects that manifest as depression and anxiety in adulthood. These experiences can range from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to neglect, loss of a loved one, growing up in a chaotic environment, or experiencing discrimination based on your identity.

When we experience trauma or adversity, our brains and bodies undergo significant changes as part of the body’s natural response to stress. These changes can alter the way we perceive and respond to future stressors, leading to heightened levels of anxiety and a persistent sense of sadness or hopelessness characteristic of depression. There is a growing body of research showing a connection between depression and anxiety with past trauma or childhood adversity.

It’s essential to recognize that experiencing depression and anxiety as a result of past trauma or adversity is not a sign of weakness but rather a natural response to overwhelming circumstances. Seeking support from a qualified mental health professional who specializes in trauma therapy can be instrumental in understanding and addressing the underlying factors contributing to your experience of anxiety or depression.

Through trauma therapy, individuals can learn to process and cope with traumatic memories, develop healthier coping strategies, and reclaim a sense of control over their lives. Trauma recovery provides us with the tools needed to cope with anxiety, or resolve the original sources of anxiety, while empowering us to rise from our depression.

If you resonate with the idea that past trauma or adversity may be fueling your depression and anxiety, know that you are not alone, and help is available. By acknowledging and addressing the impact of past experiences on your mental health, you can take significant steps toward healing and rebuilding a fulfilling life.

Remember, healing is a journey, and it’s okay to seek support along the way. You deserve to live a life free from past trauma and adversity, where joy, peace, growth, and resilience can thrive.

Offering Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

We are Hiring and Intake Coordinator at the Phoenix Center!

Intake Coordinator Role and Expectations

Our growing trauma therapy practice is seeking an efficient, consistent, empathetic, and detail-oriented Intake Coordinator to join our team. The ideal candidate will have experience in administrative support, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multitask. This position requires a confident professional who can work independently, communicate effectively, and collaborate with others to ensure the smooth functioning of the practice. This position is diverse in its skill requirements including aspects of clinical assessment, crisis intervention, suicide assessment, networking, marketing, admin, customer service, and coordinating with our staff. This hybrid position requires some in-person hours but is flexible.

This is a part-time position (20 hours per week employee) with flexible hours and could evolve into full-time hours in the future if desired. We are seeking a long-term committed professional that we can invest in, train, and welcome as part of our close-knit organization. This non-benefits eligible position has an hourly range between $22-30 depending on applicant’s experience and skill set.

As an organization of trauma therapists, we place considerable emphasis on meaningful work relationships, work-life balance, and self-care. As a smaller and quickly growing organization, we are expanding our inner organizational processes and seeking a professional who can actively contribute to our growth with creative ideas. This role is an important part of our team, managing and coordinating many essential organizational tasks and processes. As our organization continues to expand, the responsibilities, leadership, and compensation with this role will also expand. Below are some of the duties of the Intake coordinator:

Admin and Customer Service 

• Help maintain and coordinate logs for intake calls, therapist/intern client availability, and trusted referrals in the community
• Track trends in intake demands and communicate with Director
• Communicate with potential clients via phone/email
• Maintains ‘on call’ hours to respond to intake calls as they come in
• Responds to missed calls and emails
• Updates website to reflect therapists availability 
• Attend occasional community events to represent and promote our organization and meet with community partners as needed
• Maintain relationships with referral partners 
• Engage in in outreach to develop new community partners

Clinical

• Provide brief intake calls with prospective clients to gather info related to their treatment goals, preferences, presenting issues, emotional stability, and financial limitations. 
• Promoting our therapists, interns, groups, and workshops to callers
• Relaying necessary clinical and logistical info from intake call to therapist or interns for initial session
• Assessment for clinical appropriateness and level of care
• Suicide assessments as needed
• Child abuse reporting as needed
• Crisis management as needed
• Referring clients to outside providers when appropriate 
• Maintaining list of trusted referrals 

Other requirements

• Strong self care habits 
• Occasional evening and weekend hours for events
• Other duties as assigned
• Possibility to co-create aspects of the role based on your skills and interests
• Strong commitment to diversity, respect, and inclusion
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong digital skills and experience with WordPress, Google voice, Google docs, and Google sheets
• Training in Confidentiality laws, suicide assessment, and child abuse reporting pertaining to our work

Education and Experience Requirements 

• Experience and knowledge of mental health, trauma, and substance use required
• 2-3 years of experience in a clinical support role within a healthcare or mental health setting
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology/social work or similar – or peer support certification strongly preferred

This is a part-time position with competitive compensation and flexibility. If you are a motivated and experienced clinical support professional with a passion for supporting mental health services, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join a growing psychotherapy practice. Please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration to Dr. Scott Giacomucci at Scott@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com. In your cover letter, please outline how your past experience and training has positioned you to be a good applicant for this open position.

In the realm of therapeutic healing, embracing a diverse range of approaches often leads to profound transformation. A compelling fusion gaining momentum is the integration of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy alongside ongoing individual therapy. EMDR is a unique and specialized therapy for treating PTSD and reprocessing disturbing memories. At the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, we not only offer EMDR, but we specialize in it and nearly every therapist and intern on our team is trained in EMDR. It is the most commonly employed therapeutic modality at our center.

Offering EMDR at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or via TeleTherapy!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Let’s dive into the benefits of incorporating EMDR therapy as an adjunct to your current therapeutic journey, fostering a dynamic collaboration for deep healing and focused EMDR work.

1. Gaining Additional Perspective and a Specialized Approach: Ongoing individual therapy provides a nurturing environment for self-discovery and personal growth. The infusion of EMDR therapy from the Phoenix Center introduces an additional and specialized perspective. With a specialized EMDR therapist, you’re granted the privilege of a fresh outlook on your challenges. This distinct approach illuminates your healing from a new angle, offering novel strategies that enrich your therapeutic experience.
   
2. Streamlined and Focused EMDR Experience: EMDR therapy, renowned for its precise focus on trauma and emotional distress, becomes even more impactful when seamlessly integrated as an adjunct to ongoing individual therapy. Enlisting a dedicated EMDR specialist from the Phoenix Center ensures that your sessions are highly focused on the reprocessing of traumatic memories. This streamlined process expedites the journey to healing, appealing to those seeking rapid relief from distressing symptoms. Often when the EMDR therapist is one’s only professional support, week-to-week stressors or other therapeutic issues slow down progress and draw the focus of therapy away from EMDR.
   
3. Embracing EMDR Benefits While Sustaining Ongoing Work: Integrating EMDR therapy as an adjunct doesn’t have to replace your ongoing individual therapy; it can enhance it. Partnering with an EMDR specialist from the Phoenix Center allows you to reap the rewards of both therapists concurrently. This arrangement empowers you to experience the potent effects of EMDR without disrupting your ongoing therapeutic relationship, ensuring a seamless transition back to your primary therapist. By adopting EMDR therapy as an adjunct, you open the door to transformation without bidding farewell to your current therapist. The continuity of your ongoing sessions remains intact, while you harness the power of EMDR techniques to target specific traumatic memories and emotions.
   
4. Collaborative Support for Enhanced Healing: Integrating EMDR therapy as an adjunct encourages a unique collaborative dynamic between therapists. The Phoenix Center’s EMDR specialist and your primary therapist combine their expertise to provide comprehensive and tailored support. This collaborative synergy facilitates the exchange of insights, strategies, and observations, fostering a holistic treatment plan that nurtures your well-being.

The fusion of EMDR therapy as an adjunct to ongoing individual therapy, offered by the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, is a potent recipe for transformation. By embracing diverse therapeutic modalities, you can cultivate fresh perspectives, encounter the focused efficacy of EMDR, maintain the momentum of ongoing therapy, and access collaborative support from a team of experts. Embark on your journey of healing and growth with the multidimensional approach that EMDR therapy as an adjunct offers, propelling you towards lasting emotional well-being.

We recognize too that engaging in therapy with two different therapists may be cost prohibitive and expensive to many. We are happy to share that we also offer low-cost EMDR therapy at the Phoenix Center through our low-cost trauma therapy program, staffed by our advanced graduate students.

Offering EMDR at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or via TeleTherapy!
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com

Who is appropriate for EMDR therapy?

It is important to note that not everyone is the best fit for engaging in EMDR therapy. The best candidates for EMDR are individuals who have already established a social support system, developed self-awareness, are able to regulate their emotions when overwhelmed, have already learned coping skills, and who are otherwise relatively stable in terms of suicidality, alcohol/substance abuse, other addictive behaviors, self-harm, and overall mental health. We also offer EMDR intensives, which may be best for clients who seek a more immersive treatment experience and can afford the time and financial cost of scheduling multiple hours or days of consecutive sessions.