Psychiatrists in 97205
Heike Sommer
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP , BC
Verified Verified
Portland, OR 97205
Are you are looking for a prescriber who is well trained, experienced and compassionate while you are engaging in therapy and getting back to a healthy self care routine? Have you tried psychotropic medications that have not worked? Would you rather take natural remedies but have not had that much success? I do believe that psychotropic medications can be helpful short and long term. Nurse practitioners are known for their holistic approach and see you in the context of your culture, environment and situation. I am fond of collaboration with other providers to build a team for you and your mental health.
Are you are looking for a prescriber who is well trained, experienced and compassionate while you are engaging in therapy and getting back to a healthy self care routine? Have you tried psychotropic medications that have not worked? Would you rather take natural remedies but have not had that much success? I do believe that psychotropic medications can be helpful short and long term. Nurse practitioners are known for their holistic approach and see you in the context of your culture, environment and situation. I am fond of collaboration with other providers to build a team for you and your mental health.
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Trauma and PTSD Psychiatrists
When should I seek treatment for trauma?
Not everyone who undergoes trauma needs therapy to heal, but many do. If, after experiencing a traumatic event, you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, dissociation, irritability, or emotional numbness—especially if these symptoms last more than a month and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning—you may benefit from seeking out therapy with a trauma-informed provider.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Different types of therapy for trauma unfold on different timelines. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, for example, each take about three months, while trauma-informed CBT may last anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. Other approaches, especially those that are less structured or that incorporate elements from multiple modalities, may be more open-ended, though many patients report feeling better within the first few months of treatment.
What happens if trauma is left untreated?
Unaddressed trauma can have serious—even devastating—effects on relationships, career, and day-to-day functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead people to distrust or lash out at others, making it difficult to maintain intimate relationships; it can also trigger symptoms such as flashbacks or hyperreactivity that can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively, personally and/or professionally. Some sufferers turn to drugs to find relief. Symptoms may lessen on their own with time, but there is no guarantee that PTSD will resolve on its own.
Can PTSD come back after treatment?
It is possible for PTSD symptoms to recur months or years after successful treatment. This is because, like most mental health disorders, it is not possible to “cure” PTSD, and stressful life events may cause symptoms to recur in even the most resilient individuals. There is no shame in re-experiencing PTSD symptoms nor in returning to therapy when such relapses occur; indeed, many forms of trauma therapy explicitly encourage periodic “maintenance sessions” to reinforce coping skills and ensure that symptoms stay manageable.