Trauma

Exposure to trauma may produce a range of acute and chronic consequences and difficulties including insomnia, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety/panic, depression, paranoia, and interpersonal problems. Depending on the type of stressor encountered, the magnitude of symptoms, and the timing of the emergence of symptoms after the trauma, diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder (ASD) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be met.

Scientific research indicates that trauma impacts both the mind and the body, potentially influencing brain chemistry and function, and is often linked to ongoing somatic and psychosomatic conditions.

While there are objective categorizations of different types of trauma utilized by researchers, many experts believe that trauma is best approached as a subjectiveexperience.

And while there is no consensus on what exactly is meant by the term trauma, its central component appears to be the occurrence of an event which cannot be emotionally apprehended or understood by ordinary expectations of a particular person or situation. That is, the occurrence defies emotional and cognitive logic, and, as a result, cannot be integrated in an average expectable way. The trauma experience represents a substantial outlier that is unable to be, metaphorically, “digested” by the mind or the body.

Trauma may be physical, sexual, and/or emotional; may have occurred years ago or recently; may produce chronic, recurrent/episodic, or isolated symptoms; and may be related to stressors of the natural world or between persons or groups of persons.

Many forms of psychotherapy have been empirically demonstrated to produce symptomatic relief and aid in the emotional and neurological processing of trauma. My particular approach is integrative, i.e., it draws from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and existential principles and paradigms to engage the patient in a process of recovery customized to the unique needs and characteristics of the patient.

A main priority is formulating a patient-therapist collaborative alliance that is free of further traumatization of the patient. The clinical space must be consistently safe in order for the patient to begin to heal. To this end, the patient is encouraged to speak freely and candidly about his or her needs from session to session and, similarly, I adopt a straightforward and transparent approach to my thoughts, impressions, and interventions. Ideally, the therapeutic process is flexible and versatile; the focus of the sessions may shift between supportive interventions, insight oriented considerations, the edification of coping skills, and attention toward healthy interpersonal functioning.

Through the difficult, challenging work of psychotherapy, psychic healing is possible as the trauma is more fully integrated. This integration implies the achievement of a series of alterations and revisions in the patient’s emotional life, personal values, and belief systems; what existed previously is mourned as the patient accepts and embraces the transformative nature of change.

Visit Dr. Tobin's Office

15615 Alton Parkway
Suite 450
Irvine, CA 92618

Hours
Monday: 8am - 8pm
Tuesday: 8am - 8pm
Wednesday: 8am - 8pm
Thursday: 8am - 8pm
Friday: 8am - 8pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed