In life, we sometimes experience events that deeply distress our minds and bodies. While we often recover from these experiences naturally, there are times when it feels difficult to process past memories and events. You might find yourself trying to avoid thinking about what happened, yet reminders seem to be everywhere. You may worry about the intensity of your emotions when these reminders surface, and perhaps you've also become concerned about the coping mechanisms you've developed to feel better. Please know, healing is absolutely possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.

At Joshua Colby Counseling, serving individuals 14 and older in the Grand Rapids area, we offer a supportive and understanding space to address the impact of your past. Whether what you're facing is recent or has been with you for a long time, you'll find a safe environment and a variety of therapeutic approaches designed to help you finally move beyond the grip of your past. We believe in your innate capacity to recover, and we're here to provide the right kind of support to help that process along.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma can arise from a significant, singular event or develop from a prolonged period of feeling unsafe or worried about your well-being. It's important to understand that during highly stressful times, your body's natural "fight or flight" system can become activated. This response, while meant to protect you, can sometimes alter how your brain processes information, potentially leaving aspects of the experience unprocessed. This is one reason why recalling traumatic events or encountering related triggers can lead to you re-experiencing the intense emotions and physical sensations you felt originally.

The encouraging news is that you now have access to resources your brain may not have had at the time of the traumatic experience. Together, we will harness the remarkable capacity of your brain to guide your nervous system toward the present moment and to help you cultivate and reinforce feelings of safety in your current life. In trauma therapy, we'll gently work to help you reconnect with your own inner strength, regain a sense of calm and clarity, and rewrite your story in a way that feels more empowering. You don’t have to live feeling stuck in the past or overwhelmed in the present. There’s another way—and we’re here to walk with you as you find it.

Common Signs That Trauma May Be Affecting You

Some people know exactly what event changed things for them. For others, it’s harder to pin down—just a lingering feeling that something isn’t quite right. Here are some ways trauma might show up:

• Experiencing anxiety or panic that feels disproportionate to the present situation.

• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from yourself and others.

• Having difficulty sleeping, experiencing nightmares, intrusive thoughts about the trauma that feel uncontrollable, or suddenly feeling as though you are reliving the event.

• Harboring negative feelings about yourself or engaging in self-blame.

• Feeling unsafe even when there is no apparent danger.

• Avoiding people or places that trigger memories of traumatic events.

• Struggling to relax, trust others, or experience joy.

If this list reflects what you've been feeling, therapy can often provide significant relief and help you break free from feeling stuck.

How Trauma Therapy Can Help

Trauma therapy encompasses a range of approaches, all aimed at helping you process and integrate your experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and associated physical responses. We will work together to identify and build upon the strengths and coping mechanisms you already possess, finding new ways to manage difficult emotions. You will have the opportunity to learn new tools and develop additional resources for navigating these challenging feelings. Ultimately, we will collaborate to help you access the resources and perspectives that may not have been available to you when the trauma occurred. With successful trauma therapy, many individuals find they can reflect on past memories without significant distress.

Approaches We Use in Trauma Treatment

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This structured, evidence-based method gently helps your brain process and release distressing memories using bilateral stimulation—often guided eye movements or tapping. EMDR supports your brain’s natural healing process, called adaptive information processing, often without needing to describe the event in detail. Many clients find it offers a sense of relief more quickly than traditional talk therapy and it is widely recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): A powerful and efficient therapy that utilizes guided eye movements and Voluntary Image Replacement to help you reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and controlled way. By changing the distressing images associated with your experiences, ART aims to reduce the intense emotional and physical reactions you may be experiencing, often leading to significant and relatively rapid relief from symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related challenges.

• Cognitive and Exposure-Based Therapies: We also integrate elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and thoughtfully applied exposure-based techniques. These methods focus on identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, reducing avoidance behaviors, and creating new, more adaptive ways of responding to situations that previously felt overwhelming.

Together, we will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique goals, comfort level, and the kind of support that resonates most with you. We will always move at your pace.

What to Expect in Trauma Therapy

Our initial sessions will involve gathering your history to gain a comprehensive understanding of your experiences and how they are currently impacting your life. We will then collaboratively develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. As we progress, we will also identify and cultivate tools and strategies to help you effectively manage difficult emotions and triggers. Once you feel ready, we will work together to implement therapeutic approaches aimed at shifting the thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations associated with the trauma. Our goal extends beyond simply alleviating symptoms; we aim to help you establish a positive framework for your life moving forward, free from the burden of trauma holding you back. In this therapeutic journey, you are the active participant, guiding the pace of our work, and we will collaborate closely to ensure you feel prepared and empowered for each step we take.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy

Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma therapy?

No. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy. If you're carrying distress from a past experience—whether it's clearly defined or hard to put into words—therapy can help.

Will I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

Not unless you want to. Many trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and ART, allow you to process painful memories without describing them in full. We always go at your pace and prioritize your comfort.

How long does trauma therapy take?

It varies. Some clients see meaningful change in a few months, while others continue longer-term. We’ll check in regularly and adjust your treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

Is trauma therapy only for big, life-threatening events?

Not at all. Trauma can result from any experience that felt overwhelming, unsafe, or left a lasting impact. Emotional neglect, relational betrayal, and medical trauma are just a few examples.

Begin Trauma Therapy in Grand Rapids

If you’re ready to feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your life again, we’d be honored to support you. We offer trauma therapy in Grand Rapids both in person and online throughout the state of Michigan. You can contact us to book a free consultation or ask questions before getting started. Healing can start with one step—and we’ll take the next ones together.