Brad Young, MS, LCMHC, CHt

Brad1Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist, in Rutland, Vermont.

In-person at: 51B Killington Ave, Rutland, VT 05701

By phone: (802) 992-1326

Also practicing as Ancient Ways Counseling

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What is Vicarious Trauma?

firemanPeople who work in the helping professions experience changes within themselves after being exposed to the traumatic life events of others. The police officer who witnesses the aftermath of a shooting, for example. Or the social worker who listens to horrific stories of domestic violence. The hospital employee who experiences the death of a patient, or witnesses’ severe suffering. The clergyman who receives a midnight phone call from a suicidal parishioner after presiding over a funeral and visiting the hospital during the day.
These types of exposures change people. Often the worst part is a belief that struggling with the trauma of others is just part of the job and something to somehow be “bigger than.” However, these types of traumas cause brain changes that can result in years of suffering. Just “sucking it up” or stuffing the emotions away makes ones day to day life less and less functional over time.
Vicarious trauma is not just for those in helping professions. Witnessing car accidents, violence, and death can be difficult for anyone. Just because the trauma did not happen to you, doesn’t mean you are trauma free. Deep suffering for you can result from exposure to the suffering of others.
Interestingly, people often do not realize there is anything wrong. You may not have nightmares of the event, or break into a cold sweat when you are reminded of it. However, those who are closest to you know. They can see the underlying anger, rigidness, need for control, numbing, or secluding that has begun to creep in. There are many symptoms of vicarious trauma that you may not have considered.
Here is a list I found online from the Blue Knot Foundation.
  • Emotional numbing
  • Social withdrawal
  • Work-related nightmares
  • Feelings of despair and hopelessness
  • Loss of sense of spirituality
  • More negative view of the world
  • Reduced sense of respect for your clients
  • Loss of enjoyment of sexual activity
  • No time or energy for yourself
  • Feeling that you can’t discuss work with family or friends
  • Finding that you talk about work all the time (can’t escape)
  • Sense of disconnection from your loved ones
  • Increased sense of danger (reduced sense of safety)
  • Increased fear for safety of children or loved ones
  • Sense of cynicism or pessimism
  • Increased illness or fatigue
  • Increased absenteeism
  • Greater problems with boundaries
  • Difficulties making decisions
  • Reduced productivity
  • Reduced motivation for your work
  • Loss of sense of control over your work and your life
  • Lowered self esteem, lowered sense of competence in your work
  • Difficulties trusting others
  • Lessened interest in spending time alone
  • Less time spent reflecting on your experiences

It is much better to seek treatment than to suffer alone, or worse cause suffering for your family and coworkers. I am here to help. Give me a call.

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What to expect in an EMDR session

Man Carrying Garbage

You may have a clear, traumatic memory that jumps into your life at all of the wrong times.

You may not recognize how a historical event has influenced your life and choices.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help.

Our first session will be focused on discovering the target memory you would like to work on. Reviewing current issues and your history, we go through a process of clarification, noticing memories, body sensations, and thoughts.

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What to expect in a Hypnotherapy session

pocket watch.jpg

Hypnosis is not as scary as people are led to believe from movies or cartoons. I will not make you bark like a dog or walk around the room like a chicken–unless you want to. Hypnosis is simply helping you move into a very relaxed state of mind and encouraging you to experience the kind of life you hope for.

It could be the experience of being around for your daughter’s wedding now that you have quit smoking, or perhaps perfecting your golf swing. In that relaxed state the filters between what you actually experience and what you imagine start to dissipate so that your body, and deeper levels of mind can experience it too.

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