Strong Roots Therapy
Therapy for PTSD and C-PTSD
Compassionate support to help you manage your symptoms and restore your sense of safety.
Serving the Asian-American community in Pasadena, Los Angeles, & virtual sessions across California.
REDUCE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
FEEL SAFE WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS
DEVELOP A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR TRIGGERS
It’s not your fault.
Living through a traumatic event or ongoing situation can shatter your sense of safety – in yourself, in others, and in the world around you.
With the right support, you can learn to trust again and find the strength to move forward.
What are PTSD and C-PTSD?
The effects of trauma can stem from a variety of experiences. They can include one-time events, a specific time in your past, or an ongoing, unresolved situation. When your brain’s ability to cope and keep you safe is overwhelmed, conditions such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) can develop, leaving you feeling scared, anxious, or detached from people and the world around you.
PTSD or C-PTSD can develop when someone has experienced particularly distressing or prolonged trauma, such as abuse, an accident, or prolonged bullying. How each person responds to trauma is deeply personal, with symptoms manifesting at different times and in different ways.
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is usually caused by a single event trauma including: life-threatening scenarios, significant injury, sexual assault, combat, natural disasters, and other stressful events.
C-PTSD
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
C-PTSD is usually caused by repeated exposure to traumatic events or interpersonal trauma, such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, repetitive trauma in adulthood, or long-term bullying. It frequently involves several traumatic incidents over time.
Strong Roots Therapy
What are the signs of PTSD?
You avoid places or situations
Fear of reliving the past can cause you to go out of your way to avoid certain places, people, or situations because they remind you of a traumatic event, and being there makes you anxious or panicky. In therapy, we help you identify and manage triggers so that you can regain a sense of safety.
Your fight-or-flight response is high
A fight-or-flight response is a very real physical response to physiological triggers. When you feel constantly on edge, jumpy, or easily startled – to keep you safe from potential danger – your body stays ready to produce adrenaline at a moment’s notice. This can leave you feeling anxious, withdrawn, or even numb.
You re-live the experience or symptoms
Flashbacks (visual, somatic, or emotional), nightmares, or intrusive thoughts that make you feel like you are reliving the traumatic event can lead to a state of perpetual exhaustion, anxiety, or depression. In therapy, we will help you develop effective coping strategies to manage and reduce their impact on your well-being.
You find yourself dissociating or isolating
Dissociation is a feeling of detachment from reality or a sense of being disconnected from your own body, in which you may feel as if you’re observing your thoughts, feelings, and actions from a distance. It goes hand-in-hand with isolation, which is a coping strategy that develops as a way to protect secrets, thoughts, and emotions.
You are having suicidal thoughts
You feel guilty or ashamed
PTSD often leads to feelings of guilt and shame, even when survivors logically know they are not to blame for the traumatic event. For you, this may stem from survivor’s guilt, self-blame, and shame about your reactions. In therapy, we can help you re-frame how you view the situation and develop a sense of self-compassion.
There is hope for healing.
Why Us
Strong Roots Therapy
We believe that strong, healthy boundaries are the key to building the life you want.
The experiences you had as a child can quietly shape your life as an adult, often without realizing the beliefs that were formed as a result.
At Strong Roots Therapy, we prioritize inner-child work to gently guide you back to those formative moments, helping you understand their impact on the beliefs, patterns, and behaviors you’re experiencing today. We help you nurture a kinder, more gentle voice toward yourself – to develop the strong roots you need to grow into the best version of yourself.
Growing up as part of the Asian-American community, we understand the effect that family and social expectations can have on shaping you as a person. Our professional experience gives us the insight to guide and support you through your own journey as we work to de-stigmatize mental health in our community.
There is a real, authentic ‘you’ – we help you rediscover that person and guide you to living on your terms.
We are committed to offering therapy that is:
Authentic
Compassionate
Empowering
Therapists Who Specialize in PTSD Therapy
Our Approach
How PTSD Therapy Works
01.
We Build A Trusting Relationship
We take the time to understand the challenges you’re facing, your history, and your lived experiences.
02.
We Work On Actionable Steps
We create a plan that works for you, using approaches such as EMDR or CBT to help you build actionable steps you can implement right away as well as a long-term plan for healing.
03.
We work with you until you meet your goals
We assess your progress and make changes as needed, allowing space for you to heal and create lasting change.
“Trauma comes back as a response, not a memory.”
– BESSEL VAN DER KOLK
Therapy for PTSD and C-PTSD
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have C-PTSD OR PTSD?
If your experience was a singular event, like an accident, natural disaster, or witnessing a trauma, you may have PTSD. If you have experienced prolonged trauma, such as abuse, abandonment, or violence, you may be suffering from C-PTSD. During your first few sessions, we will take the time to understand your symptoms and determine if a diagnosis can be made.
Will I ever get better?
Yes, there’s hope. Healing might take a while, and there may be ups and downs, but it’s possible to feel better and regain a sense of control over your life. In therapy, we will equip you with skills and strategies that you can use to provide long-term relief.
How long does it take to feel better?
That will vary based on your experiences and personal circumstances. Often, people experience a sense of relief within a few sessions as they feel comfortable, safe, and supported for the first time in a long time. Over the next weeks or months, we will work with you step-by-step to help you continue to see improvements.
Should I take medication?
At our clinic we do not prescribe medication, but if it becomes clear that medication would support your journey to healing, we can refer you to a trusted physician for further treatment.
How does PTSD impact my relationships?
PTSD can have a significant negative impact on your relationships as your general trust in humanity has been damaged. However, for someone with a strong support system, a trusting, vulnerable relationship can be pivotal in your healing.
Results From Therapy
When it comes to healing from PTSD and C-PTSD, your results will be very personal to you and your experiences. Your commitment and consistency with treatment will help you feel relief sooner. As you feel better, you may experience the following positive results:
- A greater understanding and acceptance of what happened
- A deeper connection to your inner child
- More self-connection and self-compassion
- An increased confidence in your ability to cope
- The ability to move forward in your life and relationships
Reclaim the joy in every moment!
Get Started
We Make Getting Started Easy
New Clients
If you are a new client looking to work with us, start by scheduling a free consultation. We will answer your questions and see if we are a good fit for each other. You can book a free consultation directly online using the button below, by calling us, or by submitting a message via the contact form.
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message. Our team will be in touch within 24 to 48 business hours.
Strong Roots Therapy
Helping you heal so you can feel safe, healthy, and happy.
