This week we are in the midst of yet another human and natural disaster in California where I live with my family. Sonoma County has had an unprecedented amount of mandatory evacuation of homes and power shut offs.
Two years ago we experienced fires that destroyed hundreds of homes and lives and we’re now a week into a new fire that’s equally as threatening.
As a local trauma therapist using EMDR (click here for more information) I didn’t have any victims of the 2017 fires initiate therapy until a full year had passed. This was frustrating because I’ve read research showing that the sooner you can process a traumatic event the better your overall outcome.
I urge all of those who’ve been through trauma,whether the recent fires or anything else, to please see a good therapist and debrief what you’ve been through. Without proper debriefing of trauma you are more likely to struggle with substance abuse, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, relationship and family problems, and even PTSD.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize the courageous men and women who are fighting these fires. We greatly appreciate the sacrifice made by our first responders and pray for them and their families.