Therapy Information for PTSD and Trauma

The nightmares, the anxiety, the triggers, it is all just overwhelming. The situation is over, you are no longer there, but why can you not let it go? Every day it feels like those moments are happening over and over again. Those around you remind you that it’s over, you got out, you survived. They don’t understand, the nightmares, the constant reminders, you might have gotten out but it does not feel as though it is over.

Trauma has a significant impact on our brains and how we function. Though we understand the responses to trauma, and the symptoms that arise from trauma history, that knowledge is often not enough to help. There are evidenced based practices that can help. Working through trauma is not easy, yet doing so allows you to get your life back.

Exposure based therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) have both been shown to significantly decrease the impact of trauma symptoms. Moreover when coupled with techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) many of those who engage in therapy find that they can get their life back.

Dr. Megan Connell is trained in CPT, PE, and ACT for trauma. She is a war veteran herself and has over a decade of experience working with survivors. Schedule a free 15-minute call to determine if Dr. Connell is a good fit to help you reclaim your life from trauma.

Click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation, or call 704-702-2400. During this meeting, we will review what the process of therapy will look like for you, what you can expect from me, and answer any questions you might have. For more information on therapy with me click here.

What to expect at your first session

Our first meeting will be an intake interview. Our intake will start with a review of the informed consent and limits of confidentiality. During the intake interview I will ask a wide range of questions so that I can understand you, your history and your reasons for seeking therapy. This session will usually last between 45-60 minuets.

What to expect at Follw-Up Sessions

Your follow up sessions will all be around 45-55 minuets. We typically will start with a check in to see if there is anything urgent we need to discuss. We will then typically move into discussing your therapy homework, how it went and what you observed. We will then start talking through the challenges you are facing. My approach will be a combination of listening, education about the human mind and human behavior, and discussing alternative behaviors to help you reach your therapy goals.

How Often We meet

I like to meet once a week with my clients for about four to eight weeks (depending on the nature of the challenge weekly sessions might go on for longer). Then, once it seems you are doing well, we will start meeting every two weeks, and if the gains are maintained, we then move into monthly check-ins. If you continue doing well we either move into maintenance therapy, where we meet every one to three months, or we terminate therapy. I hope to have most of my clients reaching termination of active therapy in 12 sessions.

Providing individual therapy to those with Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Adjustment, and Women on the Autism Spectrum to those living in:

• North Carolina; License number 5060

• South Carolina; License number PSY.1766 PSY

• Washington; License number PY60181879

  Practicing under the PsyPact, mobility number 9418, in the Following States:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Commonwealth of the Norther Mariana Islands

• Delaware

• District of Columbia

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Maine

• Maryland

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Nebraska

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Virginia

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin