PTSD Treatment Anchorage, Alaska Stellar Insight Counseling
PTSD Treatment Anchorage, Alaska Stellar Insight Counseling
PTSD Treatment Fairbanks, Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, Eagle River, Juneau, Ketchikan, Nome, Sutton, Homer, Seward, Soldotna, and Keani
Telehealth Trauma Counseling Services in Alaska | Stellar Insight Counseling
Welcome, my name is Nicole Zegiestowsky, M.S. (she/her) and I offer virtual individual and group therapy counseling services to adult Alaskans who have experienced trauma.
I am a pre-licensed LPC therapist in Alaska under the supervision of Psychologist Dr. Hannah Ekstrom (#196093, #125200) and hold a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Using a trauma-informed strengths-based approach and our therapeutic relationship our work will:
Help you feel safe in your body again
Find joy
Regain control back over your thoughts, sleep, and energy
Foster resilience or Post-Traumatic Growth
Strengthen positive relationships
What is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) that can develop following a traumatic experience. Symptoms include:
Signs & Symptoms of PTSD:
- Flashbacks, unwanted memories or thoughts relating to the trauma
- Nightmares, trouble sleeping
- Irritability, sadness, dissociation, being easily startled, engaging in risky behavior
- Difficulty with concentrating or memory
- Exposure to a traumatic or life-threatening situation
- Avoiding places, people, or feelings which remind of the trauma
- Changes in personality or emotional reactions
- Coping with substances
Online Treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in Alaska
There are multiple forms of treatment including psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of counseling and medication management.
Types of Treatment for PTSD:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
What Causes PTSD?
PTSD may develop after a person is exposed to traumatic or life-threatening events including:
Accidents (e.g., car accident)
Physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse
Traumatic childhood
Natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, landslide, flooding, drought, or avalanches)
Traumatic childbirth
Physical assault, sexual assault, or kidnapping
Traumatic grief (losing a loved to a traumatic death)
Exposure to war, combat, or genocide
Generational trauma
Exposure to trauma from job (first responders, military personnel, healthcare providers)
Bullying
Online Trauma Therapist | Alaska | Stellar Insight Counseling
PTSD treatment involves a healthy therapeutic alliance (the relationship between client and therapist), identifying triggers, developing awareness of symptoms, finding new regulation skills, and supported reprocessing.
After surviving trauma, the brain and body may stay in “fight-flight-freeze” mode which may translate to feeling a near-constant state of stress, dissociation, anger, irritability, and more.
This may look like being “on the look-out” for potential harm; taking up new behaviors such as avoiding potential triggers or finding new ways to protect yourself; waking up often in the middle of the night to check for safety, using substances to cope, or being “jumpy.”
I have heard people describe how trauma can make them feel like a completely different person.
Why PTSD Treatment Helps
Starting therapy for PTSD is challenging.
As a trauma-informed therapist, I know trauma changes people and can impact hope for the future; and I know that trauma counseling helps people manage symptoms, find comfort in the body again, and most importantly: heal.
My work with clients focuses on identifying symptoms and triggers, finding coping skills to help maintain during situations like work, school, homelife, and social settings. After establishing your safety and well-being outside of our sessions, we will processing your trauma together while making you feel safe, seen, and supported.
Length of Treatment for PTSD
It is difficult to say how long therapy may last for PTSD because many factors influence treatment. Some people may resolve symptoms after 6 months while other people may need therapy for years.
PTSD, like other mental health conditions, has better treatment outcomes with early intervention or treatment. If you notice symptoms of PTSD consult with your healthcare providers and consider starting therapy.
Symptoms of PTSD tend to develop around 3 months following a traumatic experience, though that is not true for everyone.
It is never too late to seek help.
Resilience can occur when a person regains their skills, strengths, joys, and positive attributes following trauma.
Post Traumatic Growth occurs when a person regains those same attributes and develops new strengths or attributes following a traumatic experience.
(Elam & Taku, 2022).
Common Considerations Before Seeking Therapy for PTSD in Alaska
"I don't think I need therapy"
Therapy promotes positive change and growth, and anyone can learn new skills, insights, or self-improvement through counseling services.
Some reasons people are hesitant to begin therapy include stigma or believing, "I'm not THAT bad"
(Nobody in therapy is "bad" for being in therapy!)
Going to therapy is a sign of strength.
5 Considerations When Choosing a Therapist
“Therapy does not work”
Successful therapy is out there.
Factors which encourage successful therapy outcomes:
Client desire to change, “buy-in”
Positive therapeutic rapport (relationship between therapist and client)
Early treatment
Hope
Counselor cultural competency and skills
“I’m interested in managing my PTSD symptoms, but I’m nervous to begin therapy”
Being nervous before starting therapy is normal.
Preparing to meet a stranger and process heavy, emotional, or scary feelings is hard.
I will meet you where you are at: we do not have to talk about something you do not feel comfortable about, and we can process your trauma at the pace you find appropriate.
Online Trauma Counseling Services in Alaska | Stellar Insight Counseling
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming especially after a traumatic event, or silently coping with PTSD for years.
I also know that it is possible to feel better, more at peace, and minimize worrying thoughts.
I offer free 20-minute initial consultations with prospective clients to see if we are a good fit, and I encourage people to talk with another 1-2 therapists before scheduling an intake appointment.
The best predictor of successful therapy is the relationship between client and therapist.
PTSD Treatment: What to Expect | Stellar Insight Counseling, Alaska
My approach for individual adult trauma counseling involves compassionate directness, using humor, providing information about trauma, and being a human with you during our sessions.
I like to start my individual therapy sessions with a check-in: I want to hear about your week and the highlights, lows, and the goals on your radar.
Some questions that may come up,
“What symptoms did you notice this week?”
“How did you cope with those symptoms?”
"How is [your pet's name] doing?"
"Do you want to focus on anything specific today?”
“What improvement did you observe this week?”
I believe my role as a therapist is best described as a helper rather than fixer.
I will keep us on track with your PTSD-focused treatment plan and therapeutic goals throughout our sessions.
We will practice new regulation skills to augment your emotional, social, and psychological health while reflecting on which skills work and which don’t work for you.
I use a trauma-informed strengths-based approach and draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction in treating PTSD.
As a telehealth therapist we can have our sessions from where you need: a comfy couch, your backyard, your (parked) car in between work, or the dining room table.
Pets are always welcome (my HIPAA compliant pets may be nearby!)
Schedule Your Free 20-Minute Initial Consultation
PTSD symptoms are treatable using individual and group therapy.
This information is provided as general knowledge and may not be used as medical advice or treatment. If you or someone you know is in crisis immediately call 911, the suicide hotline 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
About Nicole Zegiestowsky, M.S. (she/her)
Welcome, and hello!
My name is Nicole and I am a pre-licensed therapist in Alaska.
I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and was a 2019-2020 Alaska LEND (Leadership & Education in Neurodevelopmental & related Disabilities) Fellow.
I provide online individual counseling services to people struggling with PTSD and trauma. My work often supports adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and have ADHD/ Autism.
Many of my clients also experience anxiety, depression, grief (traumatic grief), and perinatal/postpartum mental health concerns.
Prior to private practice I provided trauma-informed counseling in outpatient and inpatient mental health agencies with individuals, groups, and families across the lifespan.
In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, paddling, and getting into good trouble.
My clinical supervisor is Psychologist Dr. Hannah Ekstrom (#196093, #125200); learn more about pre-licensure.
References
Elam, T., & Taku, K. (2022). Differences Between Posttraumatic Growth and Resiliency: Their Distinctive Relationships With Empathy and Emotion Recognition Ability. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 825161. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.825161