Finding Healing Through Self-Compassion in PTSD Recovery
This blog post will explore how self-compassion can play a pivotal role in PTSD recovery and provide actionable practices to integrate it.
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Trauma & PTSD
Treatment
Comprehensive Healing Starts Here
Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness (AMI) in 2022
Over 19%
of adults are experiencing a mental illness
Source mhanational.org
North American have a lifetime prevalence of
60-75%
experiencing a traumatic event
Source medicalnewstoday.com
Children who Experience Trauma are
Over 3x
more likely to develop Anxiety Disorders
Source focusforhealth.org
The Chateau Recovery Solution
Chateau Recovery offers a range of trauma and PTSD (PTS) treatment services at our Utah facility. We are here to help you or your loved ones struggling with trauma and any co-occurring disorders.
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Committing to Change
Acknowledging the Problem
Being willing to ask for and get help takes courage. Fully committing to the process is key to meaningful change.
We work with a mature population (26+) who actively dedicate themselves to living a healthier, more balanced life focused on hope & healing.
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Evidence Based
Therapy Modalities
Our Master's Level Clinicians & trauma trained staff are experts in diagnosing and treating depression, anxiety & other mood disorders.
We provide a range of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy & Neurofeedback.
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Holistic Approach
Treating the Whole Self
We offer a holistic approach to treatment and healing with Dual Diagnosis to address co-existing mental illness & substance abuse.
We treat trauma and PTSD and co-occurring disorders through a multi-dimensional approach to wellness.
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Alumni Resources
Ongoing Support Network
Our commitment to wellness goes beyond residential treatment. Continued support is key to ongoing mental and physical health.
We understand your post treatment journey is critical to maintaining wellness. Our alumni network aims transform lives through education.
Trauma & PTSD Education
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What is Trauma?
Trauma can be caused by an overwhelmingly negative event that causes a lasting impact on the victim's mental and emotional stability.
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Trauma Causes
Trauma can be caused by an overwhelmingly negative event that causes a lasting impact on a victim's mental and emotional stability.
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Childhood Trauma
The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.
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Trauma Symptoms
Traumatic reactions can include a variety of responses, such as intense and ongoing emotional upset and depressive symptoms.
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Post Traumatic Stress
An anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat or assault.
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Treatment Options
Trauma-focused Psychotherapies are the most highly recommended type of treatment to help you process your traumatic experience.
You're Not Alone
Trauma & PTSD are more common than you think
Trauma and PTS can affect anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion/spirituality, nationality and socioeconomic status.
Construction & Laborers
We appreciate the need for skilled labor more than ever. However, the public can miss an important aspect of these professions. Hard work can be dangerous. Despite training and regulations, injuries can happen. The threat of accidents are ever-present fear and traumatic experiences can affect productivity, and overall health.
Doctors & Surgeons
Places of healing like hospitals can be a source of trauma for patients and healthcare workers (HCW). HCWs have experienced the highest levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being exposed to tragedy regularly as part of their job can trigger all types of trauma including secondary traumatic stress (STS).
Family Members
A vast majority of people experience trauma at some point. A significant minority of cases, though, can develop into symptoms of PTSD. Knowing how PTSD affects people may help you understand what your loved one is going through. The more you know, the better your relationships can grow.
Nurses & PAs
The American Nurses Association (ANA) conducted a study in December 2020 and found that nurses had reported feeling weary (72%), overwhelmed (64%), irritated (57%). In addition, professionals rarely get to properly debrief from traumatic experiences. HCWs use so much time and energy taking care of others that they may neglect themselves.
Legal Professionals
Lawyers have a difficult job. Their clients may have experienced one of the worst times in their lives. Lawyers tackles these subjects, often involving death, neglect, abuse, and sexual assault. However, when the case is over, memories may not fade as quickly. Legal professionals are considered an at-risk population for PTS(D).
First Responders
Given the high frequency and severity of traumatic exposures, it is not surprising that first responders are at an elevated risk for developing PTSD. They may be more susceptible to acquiring PTSD due to severe stress and many job-related risk factors - such as cumulative exposure to traumatic events, regular stress, lack of support, and the accompanying experience of discrimination or stigmatization.
Chateau Mission
To empower & equip those who strive for hope, health, and a new mindset in recovery.
At Chateau Recovery, our treatment mission is to create a safe environment for healing and treatment.
We treat the physical and emotional symptoms of trauma. We have a multifaceted approach, bringing together the methods proven effective by decades of science and research to improve the lives of our clients.
Chateau Approach
Chateau Recovery looks beyond just identifying and adjusting behaviors.
Our approach combines medical, psychological, and holistic elements to treat each person as a whole. We explore the core reasons impacting your mindset, behaviors, and environment. We utilize comprehensive evidence based therapies like the Arbinger Outward Mindset and Dharma Recovery.
Chateau Recovery Solution
You're Not Alone
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Committing to Change
Acknowledging the Problem
Chateau Treats a Mature Population
We believe it takes courage to ask for and willingly get help. Being committed to the process is key to successful change.
Treating individuals 26+ ensures that you are going through treatment with peers & individuals in a similar phase of life.
Learn More - The Importance of Finding a Specialized Program >
Focused on Hope & Healing
Accepting help requires willingness disregard the idea of that one is a "burden".
Accepting help can bring out a caring response in others and lead to a deeper emotional closeness.
Learn More - Faith, Hope, and Resilience Are Key to Your Recovery >
Committing to Change
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Holistic Approach
Healing the Whole Self
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis is the condition of suffering from a mental illness and a substance use disorder by addressing underlying issues. Many times depression and/or anxiety occur with alcohol or substance use.
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Comprehensive Assessments and Testing
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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Education
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Trauma & Development Focused Treatment
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Neurofeedback - Brain Training
Addressing Dimensions of Wellness
At Chateau Recovery, we believe all dimensions of your wellbeing need to be examined in order to heal. We address Daily, Physical, and Spiritual Health, Mental & Emotional Health & Family Systems and Relationship Health.
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Reconnecting with Family & Values
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Comprehensive Aftercare Planning
Learn More - About '6 Dimensions of Wellness' >
Holistic Approach
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Evidence Based
Therapy Modalities
We provide a range of modalities to help address and process your concerns including:
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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprogramming (EMDR)
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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Brainspotting & Neurofeedback
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
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Individual & Group Therapy
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Rehabilitation Nutritional
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Family Systems Therapy
In addition, we utilize PGx Genetic Testing to better identify medication and treatment.
Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing is a type of genetic test that assesses a patient's risk of an adverse response or likelihood to respond to a given drug, informing drug selection and dosing.
Evidence Based Therapy Modalities
What is Trauma?
Defining and Understanding Trauma
Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.”
However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.
A traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. Trauma can also cause physical symptoms.
Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The 3 Types of Trauma
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Acute Trauma (Single Events)
The DSM-5 describes acute stress disorder as the development of specific fear behaviors that last from 3 days to 1 month after a traumatic event. These symptoms always occur after the patient has experienced or witnessed death or threat of death, serious injury or sexual assault.
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Chronic Trauma (Repeated or Prolonged Events)
Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others. Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame).
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Complex Trauma (Varied and Multiple Events)
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is the result of multiple traumatic events occurring over a period of time, often referred to as "complex trauma". Causes include multiple incidents of child abuse, particularly child physical abuse and child sexual abuse, prolonged domestic violence, concentration camp experiences, torture, slavery, and genocide campaigns.
The disorder is characterized by the core symptoms of PTSD; that is, all diagnostic requirements for PTSD have been met at some point during the course of the disorder. In addition, complex PTSD is characterized by-
Severe and pervasive problems in affect regulation;
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Persistent beliefs about oneself as diminished, defeated or worthless, accompanied by deep and pervasive feelings of shame, guilt or failure related to the stressor; and
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Persistent difficulties in sustaining relationships and in feeling close to others.
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Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.
Family members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. The symptoms often mirror those of PTSD.
Vicarious trauma was a term invented by McCann and Pearlman that is used to describe how working with traumatized clients and the effect it has on trauma therapists. Previously, the phenomenon was referred to as secondary traumatic stress coined by Dr. Charles Figley.
Vicarious trauma is an occupational challenge for people working and volunteering in the fields of victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and other allied professions, due to their continuous exposure to victims of trauma and violence.
Who Is at Risk of Being Affected by Vicarious Trauma?
Anyone working with survivors of trauma and violence is at risk of being negatively impacted by the varied effects of vicarious trauma. Factors that may make employees or volunteers more vulnerable to this occupational risk include:
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prior traumatic experiences
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social isolation, both on and off the job
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a tendency to avoid feelings, withdraw, or assign blame to others
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difficulty expressing feelings
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lack of preparation, orientation, training, and supervision in their jobs
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constant and intense exposure to trauma with little or no variation in work tasks
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lack of an effective and supportive process for discussing traumatic content of the work
What is Trauma?
Symptoms & Causes of Trauma
Symptoms
The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, including:
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their characteristics
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the presence of other mental health conditions
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previous exposure to traumatic events
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the type and characteristics of the event or events
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their background and approach to handling emotions
Emotional and psychological responses
A person who has experienced trauma may feel:
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denial, irritability, anger or confusion
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fear, sadness, or shame
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numbness, hopelessness, or guilt
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difficulty concentrating
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nightmares
They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to cope with how they feel, or withdraw from others. Flashbacks, where a person relives the traumatic event in their mind, are common, as are nightmares.
Physical responses
Along with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms such as:
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headaches
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digestive symptoms
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fatigue
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racing heart
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sweating
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feeling jumpy
Sometimes, a person will also experience hyperarousal, or when someone feels as though they are in a constant state of alertness. This may make it difficult to sleep.
Individuals may also go on to develop other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems.
Causes of Traumatic Experiences
Some research estimates that 60–75% of people in North America experience a traumatic event at some point. The charity Mind in the United Kingdom lists the following as potential causes of trauma:
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bullying
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harassment
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physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
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sexual assault
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traffic collisions
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childbirth
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life threatening illnesses
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sudden loss of a loved one
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being attacked
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being kidnapped
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acts of terrorism
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natural disasters
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war
Traumatic events can be isolated or repeated, ongoing events. A person can also experience trauma after witnessing something traumatic happening to someone else.