Psychotraumatology in Gdansk - Help After Difficult Experiences

Psychotraumatology in Gdansk - Help After Difficult Experiences

Not all wounds are visible. Some of the deepest scars leave no mark on the body - but fundamentally change the way a person experiences the world, themselves, and relationships with others. Psychotraumatology is a field of clinical psychology that specializes in these invisible wounds - in diagnosing and treating the consequences of traumatic experiences. In Gdansk, where life can be as beautiful as it is demanding, access to specialized psychotraumatological help is particularly important.

What Is Psychotraumatology?

Psychotraumatology is an interdisciplinary specialization combining knowledge from clinical psychology, neurobiology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy. Its subject is the psychological, biological, and social consequences of traumatic experiences - both single events (accidents, assaults, disasters) and prolonged, repeated traumas (domestic violence, childhood neglect, workplace bullying, stalking).

A psychotraumatologist is a psychologist or psychotherapist who has completed specialized training in trauma work. They possess knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms of trauma, are familiar with specialized diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and above all understand that working with a person after trauma requires a particular approach - different from standard psychotherapy. This is a specialist who knows how to gently guide a patient through the recovery process without violating their boundaries and without causing re-traumatization.

In Poland, psychotraumatology as a distinct specialization has been developing dynamically for about two decades. More and more psychologists and psychotherapists are choosing additional training in this area, which translates into growing availability of specialized help. At the same time, public awareness of trauma and its consequences is growing - more and more people know that their difficulties may have their source in past experiences.

How Does Psychotraumatology Differ from Regular Psychotherapy?

A general psychotherapist can work with a broad spectrum of difficulties - depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, life crises. A psychotraumatologist specializes in one specific area: the effects of trauma. This specialization matters for several reasons:

Safety First. Working with trauma requires particular attention to safety issues. Opening traumatic memories too quickly - without proper preparation and stabilization - can lead to decompensation, symptom worsening, or retraumatization. A psychotraumatologist knows the phase-based model of trauma treatment and knows when a patient is ready to confront memories and when they need more time for resource building. This is a crucial difference - a non-specialist may inadvertently "open" traumatic memories without the skills to safely close them.

Specialized Methods. A psychotraumatologist has access to methods created specifically for trauma work - such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, more about this method in our article on EMDR therapy), somatic therapy (Somatic Experiencing, discussed in our article on somatic therapy), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), or STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation). These are tools with proven effectiveness in treating PTSD and complex trauma.

Understanding the Neurobiology of Trauma. Trauma is not just a "difficult memory" - it is a change in the functioning of the brain and nervous system. A psychotraumatologist understands why a person after trauma reacts the way they do - why they "freeze" in stressful situations, why they cannot "just stop thinking about it," why the body reacts with fear despite the absence of real danger. This understanding allows working without judgment and without expecting the patient to "just pull themselves together."

Recognizing Dissociation. Dissociation - the mechanism of "disconnecting" from reality - is a common symptom of trauma but can be difficult for a non-specialist to recognize. A psychotraumatologist can spot subtle signs of dissociation and respond appropriately.

When Should You Consult a Psychotraumatologist?

You do not need to have a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from a psychotraumatological consultation. It is worth considering a visit if:

• You have experienced a traumatic event and symptoms - insomnia, anxiety, flashbacks, hypervigilance - have not subsided after several weeks
• You have a difficult childhood behind you (violence, neglect, addictions in the family) and feel that it affects your current life (more about this in our article on childhood trauma)
• You experience recurring nightmares or uncontrolled memories
• You react with intense fear or panic in situations that are objectively not threatening
• You have difficulty regulating emotions - anger outbursts, emotional "cutting off," feelings of emptiness
• You struggle with chronic feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness that seem disproportionate to the situation
• Your relationships repeat painful patterns and you do not know why
• You have already tried "regular" therapy but feel it did not reach the core of the problem
• You experience physical symptoms (tension, pain, gastrointestinal problems) without a clear medical cause
• You have difficulty trusting other people or maintaining close relationships

The Phase-Based Model of Trauma Treatment

Modern psychotraumatology is based on a phase-based treatment model, developed based on the research of Judith Herman, author of the groundbreaking book "Trauma and Recovery," and other pioneers in this field. This model encompasses three phases:

Phase 1 - Stabilization and Resource Building. This is the foundation of all the work. Before a patient is ready to confront traumatic memories, they must have a solid base: a sense of safety in the therapeutic relationship, the ability to regulate emotions, techniques for coping with difficult states (grounding, breathing techniques, "safe place"). For individuals with complex trauma, this phase may last many months - and that is completely normal. The pace of work is set by the patient, not the therapist.

Phase 2 - Trauma Processing. When the patient is sufficiently stable, the actual work with traumatic memories begins. This is where methods such as EMDR or exposure find their application. The goal is to process "frozen" memories so that they stop triggering intense emotional and bodily reactions. The memory remains in storage, but loses its "charge" - one can think about it without a wave of emotions.

Phase 3 - Integration and Rebuilding. After processing the trauma, the patient works on rebuilding their life - relationships, sense of identity, goals, and values. This is the phase in which a person begins to live based on their own choices rather than reactions to trauma. For many people, this is a moment of discovering who they truly are - beyond the roles that trauma imposed on them.

What Types of Trauma Do We Work With?

At our center, we work with a broad spectrum of traumatic experiences:

• Single-event trauma - traffic accidents, assaults, robberies, natural disasters, sudden death of a loved one
• Domestic violence - physical, emotional, sexual, economic
• Childhood trauma - neglect, family violence, abuse, unstable family environment
• Sexual violence and molestation - both in childhood and adulthood
• Workplace bullying and stalking - prolonged psychological violence at work or in private life
• Medical trauma - traumatic experiences related to illness, hospitalization, or procedures
• Loss and grief - especially sudden, unexpected loss or complicated grief
• Secondary trauma - in individuals who work with trauma professionally (paramedics, doctors, police officers, therapists)

Psychotraumatology and Crisis Intervention

It is worth distinguishing these two concepts. Crisis intervention is immediate psychological help provided directly after a traumatic event or during it. Its goal is stabilization, ensuring safety, and preventing escalation of the crisis. Psychotraumatology begins later - when the crisis has passed but its consequences remain.

However, these two areas are closely related. Early, adequate crisis intervention can reduce the risk of developing PTSD. That is why at our center we offer both crisis intervention and long-term psychotraumatological work. You can read more about PTSD - its symptoms, causes, and treatment methods - in our article on PTSD.

How to Prepare for Your First Visit to a Psychotraumatologist?

Many people postpone their visit because they do not know what to expect or fear they will have to immediately talk about their most difficult experiences. It is worth knowing that the first consultation is primarily a conversation - calm, in a safe atmosphere, at a pace that you set. You do not have to talk about everything right away. You do not need to have a ready diagnosis or precisely named symptoms. It is enough to come and say what you are struggling with - even if it is only "I feel that something is wrong."

Before your visit, you may want to consider a few questions: What brings you here? How long have the difficulties lasted? Were there any difficult events in the past that may be related to your current state? Which symptoms most interfere with your daily functioning? But these questions are only guidelines - you do not have to have answers to them. The specialist will guide the conversation in a way that is comfortable for you.

After the consultation, the psychotraumatologist will present their assessment of your situation and propose next steps - this may be EMDR therapy, long-term psychotherapy, or a combination of different methods. The decision to pursue therapy is always yours.

Myths About Trauma and Psychotraumatology

There are many myths circulating about trauma and its treatment that may discourage seeking help:

• "Trauma is only about accidents and wars." Trauma can result from many different experiences - from emotional neglect in childhood to workplace bullying. You do not have to be a victim of a spectacular event to need help.
• "If I don't have flashbacks, I don't have trauma." Flashbacks are just one of many symptoms. Chronic tension, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and emotional numbness are also consequences of trauma.
• "Trauma therapy means I will have to relive my worst moments." Modern methods, such as EMDR, do not require detailed recounting of traumatic events. The therapist conducts the process in a safe and controlled manner.
• "Strong people cope on their own." Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Trauma changes the functioning of the brain and nervous system - it is not something that can be "overcome by willpower."

Psychotraumatology at Sztuka Harmonii Center

At Sztuka Harmonii Psychological Center in Gdansk, psychotraumatology is one of our main areas of specialization. The following specialists work with individuals after traumatic experiences:

Malgorzata Kozlowska, MA - a psychologist and psychotraumatologist with certified EMDR training. She specializes in working with PTSD, complex trauma, and relational trauma. She provides both short-term EMDR therapy and long-term trauma psychotherapy. Patients value her empathic approach, thoroughness, and ability to create a safe therapeutic space.

Aleksandra Ostrowska, MA - a psychologist and psychotraumatologist specializing in crisis intervention and working with individuals after difficult life experiences. She combines a psychotraumatological approach with individual psychotherapy. Patients highlight her warmth, support, and professionalism.

They also collaborate with Anna Lewicka, MA, a psychotherapist who provides long-term individual psychotherapy for individuals with a history of trauma, helping them rebuild their relationship with themselves and with others.

If you would like to speak with a specialist about your experiences, schedule a psychotraumatological consultation. The first visit serves to understand your situation, assess your needs, and plan next steps. The consultation lasts 50 minutes and takes place in an atmosphere of full confidentiality and safety - you do not have to talk about everything right away.

Call 732 059 980. We see patients at four offices in Gdansk (Piekarnicza, Bergiela, Wajdeloty) and Gdynia (10 Lutego). Online consultation is also possible. The first step is the hardest - but you do not have to take it alone.