Trauma/PTSD
Healing the Invisible Wound
Trauma is not just a memory of something bad that happened in the past; it is a physical and emotional imprint that lives in the present. It changes how you breathe, how you react to stress, and how you view the world.
At The Tikvah Center, we operate from a strictly Trauma-Informed perspective. We understand that for many, addiction was not a choice, it was an escape from pain. Our goal is to help you safely process that pain so you no longer need to numb it.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is the nervous system’s response to a distressing event (or series of events) that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope.
When a person feels unsafe, the brain activates a survival response: Fight, Flight, or Freeze. In a healthy response, the body returns to calm once the danger passes. In trauma, the switch gets stuck "On." The body continues to act as if the danger is happening now, leading to anxiety, flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, or total emotional shutdown.
We treat various forms of trauma:
- Acute Trauma: A single disturbing event (e.g., a car accident, assault, or terror attack).
- Complex Trauma (C-PTSD): Prolonged exposure to trauma, often in childhood (e.g., abuse, neglect, or domestic instability).
- Intergenerational Trauma: The psychological effects of trauma transferred through generations—a concept deeply understood in the Jewish community regarding the Holocaust and antisemitism.
How We Treat Trauma
Healing trauma requires more than just "talking about it." In fact, talking too soon can sometimes make it worse. We use a phased, "Bottom-Up" approach.
1. Safety & Stabilization
Before we dive into the past, we must ensure you are safe in the present. We teach you grounding techniques and distress tolerance skills to widen your "Window of Tolerance" (your ability to handle emotions without crumbling).
2. Somatic (Body-Based) Therapies
Trauma lives in the body. We use somatic approaches (including our Krav Maga Therapy and sensory regulation) to help you release the physical tension and "fight/flight" energy stored in your muscles.
3. Processing Modalities
Once stable, we use evidence-based tools to process the memories:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A therapy that uses eye movements to help the brain "digest" traumatic memories so they no longer feel like they are happening right now.
- IFS (Internal Family Systems): Exploring the different "parts" of yourself (the protector, the wounded child) to create internal harmony.
4. The Jewish Perspective: Shevirat HaKelim (Breaking of the Vessels)
Kabbalah teaches the concept of Shevirat HaKelim—that the vessel shattered, scattering sparks of holiness. Our work is not to erase the shattering, but to gather the sparks and rebuild a vessel that is different, but perhaps even more beautiful and resilient than before.
FAQs
Browse answers to popular questions. Don't see what you are looking for? Contact us!
The link is undeniable. Substances are often used as a "chemical solution" to a "nervous system problem." Drugs numb the pain of the past or quiet the hyperactive brain. Real sobriety is only possible when we treat the underlying trauma that drives the need to use.
This is a valid fear. That is why we do not do "deep dives" immediately. We focus on stabilization first. We only move at the speed of trust, ensuring you have the coping skills to handle the emotions before we open the door to the memories.
No. In group therapy, we focus on the impact of the trauma (how you feel today), not the graphic details of the event. You are never forced to disclose anything you aren't ready to share.
You do not need to be a soldier to have PTSD. Abuse, neglect, sudden loss, medical emergencies, or growing up in a chaotic home can all cause the same physiological changes in the brain as combat. If your past is impacting your present functioning, it is trauma.
No. Our center is a judgment-free zone open to Jews of all backgrounds—secular, reform, conservative, or orthodox—as well as non-Jewish individuals seeking high-quality care. We respect where you are in your spiritual journey.
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