How Trauma Therapy for PTSD Helps You Recover

Recovery from PTSD doesn’t mean you forget what happened. It means the memory no longer controls you. It means the nightmares and flashbacks become less frequent, the constant feeling of being on edge begins to fade, and you can start to feel present in your own life again. It’s about rebuilding a sense of safety and reconnecting with the people and activities you love. This vision of recovery is not a distant dream; it is an achievable reality for many. The journey is a process, and it begins with understanding the tools available to you. This guide will answer the question, ‘How can trauma therapy help people recover from PTSD?’ by outlining the steps you can take to move from a state of surviving to one of thriving.

Key Takeaways

• PTSD is a treatable condition, not a life sentence: Symptoms are your body’s attempt to cope with an overwhelming event, not a personal failing; with professional support, you can process the trauma and regain control.
• Specialized therapy is key for effective healing: Look for a therapist trained in evidence-based methods like EMDR or TF-CBT, as these approaches provide a structured, safe way to address traumatic memories and build skills for lasting relief.
• Your daily habits support your recovery: The work you do outside of therapy is crucial, so focus on creating a stable routine, practicing grounding techniques, and connecting with a support system to reinforce your progress and build resilience.

What Is PTSD and How Does It Impact Daily Life?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a terrifying event. It’s your mind and body’s way of trying to cope with something that felt overwhelming and threatening. When you have PTSD, it can feel like you’re stuck reliving that moment, even when you’re perfectly safe. The past intrudes on the present, causing intense stress that can ripple through every part of your life, from your relationships to your ability to work or simply feel at ease.

Living with PTSD can be incredibly isolating. You might experience sudden, vivid flashbacks, persistent nightmares, or overwhelming feelings of sadness, fear, or anger. It can make you feel constantly on edge, jumpy, and disconnected from the people you love. The world can start to feel like a dangerous place, leading you to avoid situations or people that remind you of the trauma. It’s important to know that these reactions are not a sign of weakness. They are the symptoms of a treatable condition, and with the right support through psychotherapy and sometimes medication, you can process the trauma and regain a sense of control and peace.

Recognizing the Signs of PTSD

It’s normal to feel upset after a traumatic event, but with PTSD, these feelings don’t fade over time. Instead, they stick around for more than a month and get in the way of your daily life. The symptoms generally fall into four main categories. The first is intrusion, which includes unwanted memories, distressing dreams, or flashbacks that make you feel like the event is happening all over again.

The second is avoidance. You might go out of your way to avoid thinking or talking about the event, and you may also steer clear of people, places, or activities that remind you of it. The third category involves negative changes in your thinking and mood, such as feeling detached from others, having trouble feeling positive emotions, or holding distorted beliefs about yourself or the world. Finally, you may notice changes in your physical and emotional reactions, like being easily startled, having trouble sleeping, or feeling irritable and on guard all the time.

Who Can Develop PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. It’s a condition that cuts across all demographics, affecting around 6-7% of adults in the United States at some point in their lives. While it’s often associated with military combat, many other types of trauma can lead to PTSD, including car accidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, and childhood abuse. Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will develop PTSD, and it’s not always clear why one person does and another doesn’t.

Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. These include having a history of anxiety or depression, experiencing trauma early in life, or lacking a strong support system of family and friends. The intensity of the event and your reaction during it, such as feeling intense fear or helplessness, also play a significant role. If you’re a first responder or military member, your repeated exposure to traumatic situations can also increase your risk.

What Therapies Help Treat PTSD?

If you’re dealing with the effects of trauma, it’s important to know that you don’t have to figure it out alone. There are specific, evidence-based therapies designed to help you heal from PTSD. These aren’t just general talk therapy sessions; they are structured approaches that have been researched and proven effective for people just like you. Finding the right fit is a key part of the healing process, and a compassionate therapist will work with you to determine the best path forward.

The goal of these therapies is to help you process the traumatic event in a safe and controlled way. This allows your brain to file the memory properly so it no longer feels like it’s happening in the present. These methods give you practical tools to manage symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress. While every person’s journey is unique, these specialized forms of psychotherapy offer a clear and hopeful road to recovery. Let’s look at some of the most effective therapies used to treat PTSD.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or TF-CBT, is a highly effective treatment that helps you change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that developed after a traumatic event. It’s a structured approach that gives you concrete skills to cope with distressing memories and feelings. A therapist guides you through understanding the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and actions. This therapy is especially helpful for children and adolescents, but it’s adapted for adults, too. The focus is on building resilience and developing healthy coping strategies, so you can regain a sense of control and safety. Our practice offers Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients process trauma in a supportive environment.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique therapy that helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories that have become “stuck.” When a memory is stuck, it can feel as intense and upsetting as when the event first happened. During an EMDR session, a therapist guides you to focus on the memory while also engaging in bilateral stimulation, like side-to-side eye movements. This process helps reduce the emotional intensity of the memory, allowing it to feel like a part of your past instead of a threat in your present. Many people find that EMDR therapy helps them feel less overwhelmed by their memories and reduces PTSD symptoms significantly.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you gradually face trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations you’ve been avoiding. While confronting these things might sound intimidating, it’s done in a safe, controlled way with the guidance of a trained therapist. By gently and repeatedly approaching these triggers, you learn that you can manage them without feeling overwhelmed. Over time, the fear and anxiety lessen. PE is considered one of the most effective, or “gold standard,” treatments for PTSD because it directly targets the avoidance that keeps the cycle of trauma going, helping you reclaim parts of your life that you may have given up.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is another evidence-based treatment that focuses on how trauma has changed your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, others, and the world. After a traumatic event, it’s common to develop unhelpful thoughts, like blaming yourself or believing the world is completely dangerous. These are often called “stuck points.” CPT helps you identify, challenge, and reframe these thoughts. By examining the evidence for and against these beliefs, you can develop a more balanced and realistic perspective. This therapy is very effective at reducing PTSD symptoms and helps you understand and reframe your thoughts so you can move forward with a renewed sense of self and safety.

How Does Trauma Therapy Address PTSD Symptoms?

If you’re living with PTSD, you know that the symptoms can feel overwhelming and unpredictable. The good news is that trauma therapy is specifically designed to help you regain a sense of control over your life. The goal isn’t to erase what happened, but to change your relationship with the memory so it no longer dictates your present. Think of it as a toolkit for healing. A therapist helps you build skills to manage difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories, so you can feel like yourself again.

Trauma-focused psychotherapy works by addressing the core components of PTSD in a structured, supportive way. It helps you safely process the traumatic event so that intrusive memories like flashbacks and nightmares become less frequent and intense. It also guides you in identifying and changing the unhelpful thought patterns that often develop after trauma, such as feelings of guilt or a constant sense of danger. Finally, therapy equips you with practical strategies to manage anxiety and emotional triggers, allowing you to feel calmer and more grounded in your daily life. By working on these areas together, you and your therapist can create a clear path toward healing and recovery.

Process Traumatic Memories to Reduce Flashbacks

Flashbacks and nightmares can make you feel like you’re reliving the worst moments of your life over and over. Therapy helps reduce their power by allowing you to process the memories in a safe, controlled environment. One effective method is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR therapy. This approach uses guided eye movements to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories, lessening their emotional intensity. Another technique, exposure therapy, involves gradually and safely confronting memories or situations you’ve been avoiding. This process helps you learn that you can handle them, which reduces fear and gives you back a sense of control.

Change Unhelpful Thought Patterns

Trauma can change the way you see yourself and the world, often leaving you with persistent negative beliefs. You might think, “I’m not safe anywhere,” or “It was my fault.” These thoughts can keep you stuck. Cognitive therapies are designed to help you challenge and reframe these patterns. For example, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) helps you identify the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. By learning to question distorted thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones, you can break free from the cycle of guilt, shame, and fear that often accompanies PTSD. This helps you build a healthier, more realistic perspective.

Manage Anxiety and Emotional Triggers

Living with PTSD often means dealing with constant anxiety, being easily startled, or feeling on edge. These feelings are exhausting, but therapy can teach you how to manage them. You’ll learn practical coping skills to calm your nervous system when you feel overwhelmed or encounter a trigger. This might include grounding techniques to bring you back to the present moment or breathing exercises to reduce panic. A therapist provides a supportive space to practice these skills and explore your emotional responses without judgment. The goal is to give you the tools you need to regulate your emotions, so you feel more stable and secure in your day-to-day life.

Does Trauma Therapy for PTSD Actually Work?

If you’re considering therapy for PTSD, one of your biggest questions is probably, “Will this actually help me?” It’s a fair question, especially when you feel stuck. The simple answer is yes, trauma therapy is highly effective. It’s not a quick fix, but it provides a structured, supportive path toward processing what happened and reclaiming your life. With the right approach and a therapist you trust, you can learn to manage your symptoms and find lasting relief. Let’s look at what the research says and what that means for you.

What Leading Health Institutions Say

You don’t have to take our word for it; major health organizations back the effectiveness of this work. In fact, studies show that trauma-focused therapy is now considered the “gold standard” for treating PTSD. This means it’s the first and most recommended choice by experts in the field. Research has found that therapy alone can lead to more durable relief from symptoms compared to only using medication. It’s a powerful and proven method for healing that equips you with skills for the long haul, rather than just managing symptoms in the short term.

Therapy vs. Medication: A Comparison

Many people wonder if they should try medication or therapy. While medication can certainly be helpful for managing specific PTSD symptoms like anxiety or sleeplessness, it doesn’t address the root of the trauma. Think of it this way: medication can help quiet the alarm bells, but psychotherapy teaches you how to dismantle the alarm system itself. The main treatment for PTSD is therapy because it helps you process memories, learn coping strategies, and change how you see yourself and the world. For some, combining therapy with medication is the right approach, but therapy remains the core component for comprehensive healing.

The Lasting Benefits of Trauma-Focused Therapy

The goal of trauma therapy isn’t to make you forget what happened, but to change the way the memory impacts you. Effective therapies like EMDR and TF-CBT help you process traumatic memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotional responses. You also learn to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that keep you stuck in a cycle of fear and anxiety. These methods give you practical coping skills to manage your emotions when triggers arise. Healing takes time, and it’s normal to have ups and downs. But with consistent effort in therapy, your symptoms can become much less disruptive, allowing you to live a fuller, more peaceful life.

Can Medication Complement Trauma Therapy?

While therapy is the cornerstone of healing from PTSD, medication can be an incredibly helpful tool in your recovery toolkit. Think of it as a supportive measure, not a replacement for the deep, transformative work you’ll do in sessions. For many people, trauma symptoms like severe anxiety, panic, or deep depression can feel so overwhelming that it’s hard to even begin processing the past. This is where medication can step in.

By easing the intensity of these symptoms, medication can create the stability and mental space you need to fully engage in and benefit from trauma-focused therapies like EMDR or TF-CBT. The decision to include medication in your treatment plan is a personal one, made in collaboration with your therapist and a medical doctor or psychiatrist. Together, you can explore whether it’s the right choice to support your unique healing path. The goal is always to use every available resource to help you feel better and regain control of your life.

What Are SSRIs and SNRIs?

When discussing medication for PTSD, you’ll often hear about SSRIs and SNRIs. These are two common classes of antidepressants that are frequently prescribed. SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, and SNRI means Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. In simple terms, they work by helping to balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain that affect mood and anxiety.

When you’ve experienced trauma, these chemical systems can be thrown off balance, contributing to the persistent feelings of fear, sadness, and being on edge. Medications like Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), and Venlafaxine (Effexor) can help reduce symptoms like intrusive thoughts and hypervigilance. This can bring a sense of calm that makes daily life more manageable and therapy more productive.

How Medication and Therapy Can Work Together

Medication and therapy work best when they work as a team. Medication can help turn down the volume on your symptoms, while therapy helps you process the source of the noise. For example, if flashbacks and anxiety are making it difficult to leave your house, medication can provide enough relief for you to feel safe attending your therapy sessions and practicing new coping skills in the real world.

While medication offers support, research suggests that therapy often provides longer-lasting relief and helps you build skills that serve you for life. Therapy is where you learn to understand your triggers, reframe unhelpful thoughts, and process traumatic memories so they no longer control you. Medication can be the bridge that helps you get to that deeper healing work.

Debunking Common Myths About Trauma Therapy

The idea of starting trauma therapy can feel intimidating, and a lot of that fear comes from common misunderstandings about what it involves. These myths can create real barriers, preventing people from getting the support they deserve. Let’s clear up a few of the most common misconceptions about therapy for PTSD so you can make an informed decision about your healing journey.

Myth: “Talking About Trauma Makes It Worse”

It’s completely understandable to worry that talking about a traumatic event will only make you feel worse. The fear is that you’ll be forced to relive it, deepening the pain. However, in a safe and structured therapeutic setting, the opposite is true. In fact, trauma-focused therapy is considered the most effective approach for treating PTSD. The goal isn’t just to talk; it’s to process the memory with a trained professional who can guide you. This helps your brain file the experience away properly, so it no longer feels like it’s happening in the present. This process can lead to lasting relief from symptoms, helping you regain control.

Myth: “Therapy Is Only for Severe Cases”

Many people believe they should only seek therapy if their symptoms are completely debilitating. They might think, “It’s not that bad,” or “Others have it worse.” But PTSD is a complex condition that affects everyone differently, and there’s no severity requirement for getting help. Healing is a gradual process, and you don’t have to wait until you hit a crisis point to start. Addressing symptoms early with a therapist can prevent them from becoming more entrenched over time. Think of it as proactive care for your mental well-being, not a last resort. Everyone deserves a space to heal, regardless of where they are in their journey.

Myth: “Any Therapist Can Treat PTSD”

While all licensed therapists are trained to help with mental health concerns, treating PTSD effectively requires specialized skills and knowledge. It’s a misconception that any therapist is equipped to handle the complexities of trauma. For successful treatment, it’s crucial to work with someone trained in evidence-based therapies specifically designed for PTSD. Modalities like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are structured to help you process trauma safely. When you’re looking for support, make sure you seek out a therapist who has experience and certification in trauma-informed care. This ensures you receive the most effective treatment for your specific needs.

What Does Recovery from PTSD Look Like?

When you’re in the thick of it, the idea of “recovery” from PTSD can feel abstract or even impossible. It’s important to know that recovery isn’t about erasing your past or forgetting what happened. Instead, it’s about learning to live a full and meaningful life where the trauma no longer controls your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s a process of reclaiming your sense of self and safety in the world.

While the journey is deeply personal and looks different for everyone, the outcomes often share common themes: a sense of peace, renewed connection with others, and a feeling of being in the driver’s seat of your own life again. With the right support, symptoms become less disruptive, and you can move from a state of surviving to one of thriving. Think of therapy as a roadmap that guides you toward these positive changes, one step at a time. It helps you integrate the experience into your life story without letting it define your entire narrative. Recovery means you can remember the event without being completely overwhelmed by it. It means you can build a future that feels hopeful and full of possibility, rather than one that is constantly overshadowed by the past.

Reduce Symptoms and Improve Daily Life

One of the first signs of progress in recovery is a noticeable reduction in the intensity and frequency of PTSD symptoms. The constant state of high alert begins to soften, flashbacks and nightmares become less common, and you start to feel more present in your own life. With support and the right treatment, these symptoms can become much less disruptive over time, allowing you to re-engage with the world around you.

Through psychotherapy, you learn practical ways to manage your symptoms when they do arise. This allows you to participate more fully in daily activities, whether that’s enjoying a hobby, focusing at work, or simply feeling at ease in your own home. As you learn to cope, you may also find relief from related issues like depression and anxiety, helping you feel better about yourself and the world.

Strengthen Emotional Regulation and Relationships

Trauma can hijack your emotional responses, leaving you feeling either numb or overwhelmed by feelings like anger, fear, and sadness. A major part of recovery is learning to regulate these emotions again. Therapy provides a safe space to understand your feelings and develop skills to manage them without feeling like you’re going to spin out of control.

This newfound emotional stability has a powerful ripple effect on your relationships. When you’re not in a constant state of fight-or-flight, it’s easier to connect with loved ones, communicate your needs clearly, and rebuild trust that may have been damaged. Trauma-focused therapies like EMDR help you process the traumatic event so it no longer dictates your emotional reactions, paving the way for healthier and more fulfilling connections with others.

Build Resilience and Healthy Coping Skills

True recovery is about more than just symptom reduction; it’s about building a foundation of resilience that will support you long after therapy ends. A key part of this is simply learning about PTSD and understanding how it affects your brain and body. This knowledge is empowering and helps you make sense of your experiences.

In therapy, you’ll build a toolkit of healthy coping skills to replace any unhelpful patterns you may have developed, such as avoidance or substance use. These strategies, like grounding techniques or mindfulness, equip you to handle stress and triggers in a constructive way. By taking a collaborative approach, your therapist works with you to build these skills, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to face future challenges with strength.

How to Support Your Recovery Outside of Therapy

Therapy is a powerful space for healing, but the work you do between sessions is just as important for your recovery. Integrating new skills and habits into your daily life helps solidify your progress and builds a foundation for long-term well-being. Here are some practical ways to support your healing journey outside of your therapist’s office.

Practice Grounding and Mindfulness Techniques

When you feel overwhelmed by a memory or a wave of anxiety, grounding techniques can pull you back to the present moment. These are simple sensory exercises, like naming five things you can see or feeling your feet on the floor. Mindfulness works similarly, encouraging you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Your therapist can work with you to find the right techniques, giving you a toolkit to manage stress as it happens. These skills are a core part of effective psychotherapy and empower you to feel more in control, even when difficult emotions surface. Consistent practice helps make these responses second nature.

Create a Supportive Daily Routine

A predictable daily routine can create a sense of safety and stability when your inner world feels chaotic. Taking care of your body is a fundamental part of taking care of your mind. Prioritize getting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, and incorporating gentle movement or exercise into your day. As the Mayo Clinic suggests, it’s also wise to avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, which can make anxiety worse. This doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule, but rather a gentle structure that supports your physical and emotional health. Think of it as creating a compassionate and predictable environment for yourself to heal.

Lean on Support Groups and Community Resources

You don’t have to go through this alone. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can be incredibly validating and reduce feelings of isolation. Support groups provide a safe space to share your story and hear from others who truly understand what you’re going through. These groups can be a source of encouragement, practical advice, and hope. Our collaborative approach at Renewal of the Mind recognizes the power of community in healing. Ask your therapist for recommendations or look for local groups in the Fairfax area to find a community that feels right for you.

What to Avoid During Your Recovery

While you’re building healthy coping skills, it’s just as important to recognize what can set your progress back. It can be tempting to use alcohol or drugs to numb painful feelings, but this often makes things worse over time. Self-medicating can interfere with your therapy, disrupt your sleep, and prevent you from truly processing the trauma. As the NHS advises, avoiding recreational drugs and excessive alcohol is a key part of recovery. Protecting the hard work you do in therapy means making conscious choices that support your long-term healing, even when it’s difficult.

How to Find the Right Trauma Therapist

Finding a therapist can feel like a big task, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take toward healing. The goal is to find someone you trust and feel comfortable with. Remember, the right therapist for someone else might not be the right one for you, and that’s perfectly okay. This is about finding a professional who fits your specific needs and can guide you through recovery with expertise and compassion.

Look for a Specialist in Trauma-Focused Therapies

Not all therapists have the specific training needed to treat PTSD effectively. It’s important to find a mental health specialist because trauma symptoms can sometimes look like other conditions, such as ADHD. A specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and create a targeted treatment plan. When you’re searching, look for professionals who list trauma as a specialty.

Specifically, you’ll want a therapist trained in trauma-focused therapies, which are now considered the first choice for treatment. These are evidence-based methods designed to address the root causes of PTSD. Look for credentials in therapies like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) or EMDR, as these approaches are structured to help you process trauma safely and effectively.

Prioritize a Collaborative and Supportive Relationship

The connection you have with your therapist is just as important as their qualifications. Therapy is a partnership, and you should feel like an active participant in your own healing. The most effective treatment happens when patients and therapists work together to set goals and choose the best path forward. You should feel heard, respected, and understood in every session.

During your initial consultations, pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel safe opening up? Does the therapist seem genuinely interested in your well-being? A good trauma therapist creates a non-judgmental and supportive environment where you can be vulnerable without fear. Trust your gut. If the connection doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to keep looking for someone who is a better fit.

Ask About Their Therapeutic Approach

Don’t be afraid to ask questions before committing to therapy. A good therapist will welcome them. A consultation call is a great opportunity to learn about their methods and see if they align with what you’re looking for. You can ask things like, “What is your approach to treating PTSD?” or “What does a typical session look like?”

Inquire if they use evidence-based practices. These are therapies that have been proven effective through research. Some therapists use a structured guide to ensure all key trauma-related topics are covered, which helps make the treatment consistent and effective. Finding a therapist who can provide therapy as a primary treatment is key, as studies show it can lead to more sustainable recovery and longer-lasting relief from symptoms compared to relying on medication alone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if what I’m feeling is just a normal reaction to a bad event or actual PTSD? It’s normal to feel upset, scared, or anxious after a difficult experience. The key difference with PTSD is that these feelings don’t fade with time. If your symptoms have lasted for more than a month and are intense enough to interfere with your work, relationships, or ability to go about your day, it could be PTSD. A good first step is to talk with a mental health professional who can help you understand what you’re experiencing without judgment.

All the different therapy types like EMDR and TF-CBT are confusing. How do I choose the right one? You don’t have to figure this out on your own, and you certainly don’t need to be an expert on therapy models. The most important step is finding a qualified trauma therapist you trust. During your initial sessions, your therapist will get to know you and your specific situation. From there, they will collaborate with you to determine which therapeutic approach, or combination of approaches, is the best fit for your healing journey.

I’m worried that starting therapy will mean I have to talk about the worst details of my trauma right away. Is that true? This is a very common and understandable fear. A good trauma therapist knows that safety and trust are the foundation of healing. You will never be forced to share anything you are not ready to discuss. The process is gradual. Much of the initial work involves building coping skills and establishing a strong, supportive relationship with your therapist, ensuring you feel secure and in control every step of the way.

Is the goal of therapy to be completely “cured” of PTSD? What does recovery actually feel like? Recovery from PTSD isn’t about erasing a memory or pretending something didn’t happen. Instead, it’s about changing your relationship with the memory so it no longer controls your life. It feels like the volume being turned down on your symptoms. You might notice you’re less jumpy, sleeping better, or able to connect with loved ones again. Recovery means the trauma becomes a part of your story, not the entire story, allowing you to feel safe and hopeful about your future.

What if my symptoms are so bad I can barely function? Should I try medication before even attempting therapy? When symptoms are severe, it can feel impossible to even think about starting therapy. In these cases, medication can be an incredibly helpful tool. It can reduce the intensity of your anxiety or depression enough to create the stability needed to engage in therapeutic work. Think of it as a support system. While therapy is what helps you process the trauma for long-term healing, medication can be the bridge that makes it possible for you to get there. This is a great topic to discuss with both a therapist and a medical doctor.