Childhood Trauma Therapy

Liz Chelak, LCSW, CCTSI, CRPS is a highly renowned therapist in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach, licensed by the Florida Board of Social Work. Liz studied at Long Island University, Florida Atlantic University, and was certified in trauma therapy by the Arizona Trauma Institute. Liz’s hand-picked team specializes in childhood trauma therapy and is highly experienced in helping hundreds of clients heal from childhood trauma and live fulfilling and rewarding lives.

If you experienced childhood trauma, healing is possible in our safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental office in person or virtually. Liz is the top-rated trauma therapist in Brickell, Downtown Miami, and West Palm Beach with not only the education and training in trauma therapy but the lived experience of healing from her traumatic past and creating a successful life and career utilizing empathy to help others. Her team has earned a reputation with their clients to be caring, empathetic, relatable, and personable therapists using evidence-based interventions to help their clients heal from childhood trauma in a safe and comfortable environment.

Healing From Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma is one of the most common causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Symptoms of PTSD from childhood trauma include:

• Repeated memories of the stressful event
• Repeated dreams of the stressful event
• Strong physical reaction when reminded of the event (heart pounding, sweating, trouble breathing)
• Trouble remembering parts of the event
• Strong negative feelings such as horror, shame, or guilt
• Feeling distant or cut off from other people
• Being superalert or hypervigilant
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Engaging in risky behaviors

Healing from childhood trauma is possible with the guidance of a skilled trauma therapist who specializes in utilizing evidence-based interventions within a safe and supportive environment.

Some people may not have PTSD, but may still be negatively impacted by their childhood experiences. These negative feelings are still important to acknowledge and process. Our therapists help their clients process and release these negative emotions that they may have been carrying for years.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Liz Chelak has helped numerous clients overcome childhood trauma by utilizing highly effective treatments such as:

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
• Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
• Narrative exposure therapy (NET)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Any of these interventions can be used within the Sovereign Body Method with our therapists here at Evolve.

What is Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma can result from any abuse, whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or exposure to dangerous situations, domestic violence, natural disasters, or accidents.  These traumatic experiences can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s mental and physical health and may manifest in a variety of symptoms later in life. It is important to seek the help of a qualified trauma therapist to address and work through these issues in a safe and supportive environment.

Childhood Trauma and the Brain

Experiencing a traumatic event as a child has a profound effect on the brain. Trauma occurs when a memory of a distressing event becomes encoded in the brain with heightened emotional intensity. During this time an increased amount of cortisol is released in the brain. When cortisol levels are elevated for a prolonged period, it can have negative effects on the body.

Some of the side effects of high levels of cortisol in the body include:

• Suppressed immune function
• Increased blood sugar levels
• Decreased bone density
• Increased blood pressure
• Disruption of sleep and mood
• Impaired cognitive function
• Increased risk of depression and anxiety

These symptoms can be alleviated through childhood trauma therapy for adults. Our therapists are committed to helping their clients overcome childhood trauma symptoms in a private and confidential space in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach.

Childhood Trauma in Adulthood

Childhood trauma in adults can have serious consequences on all areas of your life.

Some symptoms of childhood trauma in adulthood include:

• Depression
• Anxiety/ Panic Attacks
• Personality Disorders
• Mood disorders
• Nightmares
• Decrease in energy
• Memory Impairment
• Dissociation
• Narcissistic Disorder

Working with a compassionate childhood trauma therapist can help you reduce these symptoms and begin to live a fulfilling life.

A common childhood trauma symptom is memory impairment. However, remembering your childhood trauma should only be done in a safe and supportive environment with an experienced childhood trauma therapist.

You should seek therapy for childhood trauma if you experience trauma symptoms such as:

• Flashbacks or unwanted memories of the traumatic memory
• Avoidance of triggers or reminders of the event
• Negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
• Hypervigilance
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Irritability or anger
• Inability to feel positive emotions
• Feelings of depression or anxiety
• Substance use

If you experience side effects such as depression, anxiety, substance use, or others but don’t remember a specific traumatic event, you might have experienced childhood trauma. Even if you don’t remember it, trauma therapy can help you resolve these issues and start enjoying your life.

Our therapists provide childhood trauma therapy for adults in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach from a trauma-informed perspective. A qualified and experienced trauma therapist can provide an accurate assessment and diagnosis, create an individualized treatment plan, and provide a safe environment to process your childhood trauma and decrease trauma symptoms.

Childhood Trauma Affects on Health

Childhood trauma can have a significant on physical health. Traumatic experiences increase the levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Excessive stress hormones can cause physical symptoms such as:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Immune system dysfunction
• Chronic pain

Childhood trauma can have negative effects on your physical health as well as your mental health. By processing and healing your trauma in therapy, you can decrease the risk of the above health complications.

How to Know if You Have Childhood Trauma?

Here are some questions to find out if you have experienced childhood trauma.

• Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? Or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
• Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very push, grab, or physically injure you?
• Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you sexually touch their body?
• Did you feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? Or your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
• Did you often feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? Or our parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?
• Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
• Was your mother or stepmother physically abused in any way?
• Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used drugs?
• Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?
• Did a household member go to prison?

If you answered yes to one or two of the above questions, you are at a higher risk of a range of negative outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

If you answered yes to three or four of the above questions, you are at a higher risk of chronic health conditions, mental health disorders, and lower educational attainment.

If you answered yes to five or more of the above questions, you are at a higher risk of chronic health conditions, mental health disorders, and lower educational attainment, engaging in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, early sexual activity, and criminal activity.

Answering yes to five or more questions also increases your risk of binge drinking, heavy drinking, smoking, risky HIV behavior, diabetes, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, depression, disability due to health, and use of special equipment due to disability.

You Can Recover From Childhood Trauma

Through therapy for childhood trauma with an experienced trauma therapist, you can reduce your trauma symptoms. Our therapists provide childhood trauma therapy for adults in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach, FL using evidenced-based interventions such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), and narrative exposure therapy (NET).

Our therapists have extensive experience helping their clients heal from childhood trauma. With effort and commitment to therapy, you, too, can overcome your childhood trauma, feel peace, and regain control of your emotions. After completing trauma therapy, you can feel more self-aware, be able to identify your triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Ultimately, overcoming trauma can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Healing childhood trauma can help you:

• Learn coping and regulation skills to overcome symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety
• Increase awareness of the effects of childhood trauma on your adult life
• Change negative beliefs that resulted from the trauma to improve self-esteem and confidence
• Process traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner to reduce the emotional charge attached to the memories
• Develop stronger social skills to improve and build healthy relationships

Working together with an experienced trauma therapist, you can heal your childhood trauma, decrease the emotional charge associated with the memories, and develop the skills necessary to build the life you desire.

Duration of Therapy

A good trauma therapist will create an individualized treatment plan with you based on your personal goals and their professional assessment. The length of treatment depends on you and your therapist.  Typically, trauma therapy begins with psychoeducation on trauma symptoms and assessment. In the next step, you will develop and practice regulation skills. The following phase involves processing trauma. Finally, you will begin to integrate the work you have done in sessions into your daily life.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Healing childhood trauma is a multifaceted process, but change is possible. You can eliminate your depression, anxiety, feelings of emptiness, and negative beliefs by working with a trauma therapist.

Our therapists utilize evidence-based treatments for childhood trauma, including:

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) is when the therapist helps you identify your negative beliefs and cognitive distortions and reframe your negative thoughts into positive beliefs.
• Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) involves learning to identify irrational beliefs that are not serving you and implementing a thought pattern that cultivates acceptance.
• Narrative exposure therapy (NET) involves organizing traumatic memories and integrating them into memory without an emotional response.

You and your counselor will discuss which type of therapy is right for you.

Cost

We understand that caring for your mental health is incredibly important, especially when it comes to overcoming childhood trauma. A session costs $220. We also accept insurance plans that cover childhood trauma therapy, making professional care more affordable and accessible for you.

Childhood trauma is prevalent. Many adults experience PTSD from experiences that occurred in their childhood. Therapy for childhood trauma in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach can help you find satisfaction in life. Call us to schedule an appointment today. 

How to Find a Good Psychologist for Past Childhood Trauma?

When seeking a psychologist or therapist for childhood trauma, it’s important to find a therapist who is certified in trauma therapy and has experience working with adults who have experienced childhood trauma. Look for therapists in your area who specialize in trauma-focused therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and narrative exposure therapy (NET). Consider reading reviews or asking for recommendations from trusted sources to find a therapist who is a good fit for you.

Best Therapist for Childhood Trauma

Healing childhood trauma requires a therapist who is trained and experienced in treating clients who have trauma. Overcoming childhood trauma is possible with a therapist who has the personal experience of going through traumatic experiences and healing through them.

I have experienced complex childhood trauma have the personal experience of overcoming these challenges and creating a fulfilling life for myself. I would love to help you achieve the goals you set out for yourself. My experience allows me to have a deeper level of understanding and provide a more empathetic and relatable approach to therapy. I can offer valuable insights and perspectives from my personal experiences, while still maintaining a professional therapeutic relationship.