Do I have trauma?

“Do I have trauma reactions?” I can help you answer this frequently asked question through thorough self-report and interview-based assessments. Symptoms of trauma can include:

  • Feeling as though you are re-experiencing the trauma (nightmare and/or flashbacks)
  • Being easily startled by a sudden noise or a certain sound or activated by a particular smell
  • Avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the incident
  • Negative emotions such as anger or having an emotionless “flat” response to situations.

Bill Prasad is one of a few Johns Hopkins Certified Trauma Clinicians (CTC). In addition, he is trained on two top trauma therapies as identified by the American Psychological Association:

EMDR treatment

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful method of psychotherapy that is accepted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and the United Kingdom Department of Health. Studies consistently find that EMDR for PTSD can effectively decrease/eliminate symptoms of trauma for the majority of clients. EMDR affects the way the brain processes information helping a client file away past experiences instead of reliving them. Following a successful EMDR treatment a client no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings triggered by trauma. For more information go to: www.emdria.org.

Pro-Longed Exposure Therapy

This treatment exposes clients to imagery of their traumatic memories, as well as real-life situations related to the traumatic event, in a step-by-step, controllable way. Through these exposures, clients learn to confront the trauma and think differently about the event. This leads to a marked decrease in levels of anxiety and other PTSD symptoms. Pro-Longed Exposure Therapy is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), The University of Pennsylvania, and the National Center for PTSD.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

CPT is a highly effective type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy that reduces or eliminates symptoms of trauma. CPT is delivered in-person or virtually over approximately 12 to 16 sessions two times a week. It helps patients overcome the debilitating influence of trauma by challenging and modifying painful beliefs that keep them stuck. CPT is recognized by the DOD, National Center for PTSD and The Headstrong Project.  

Trauma and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Those wrestling with anxiety, irritability and sleep problems ignited by trauma often seek relief with alcohol and other drugs. Often, the result is guilt, shame and relapse. My experience as an addictions counselor and trauma clinician can help you move from relapse to recovery.

When working with veterans and active-duty personnel, Bill has coupled with The Headstrong Project to provide evidence based, free and effective treatment for the men and women who have serve our country.