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Trauma In The Time Of Coronavirus
How Coronavirus is traumatizing us and how to feel better despite the fear and anxiety.
Antonieta Contreras, LCSW-R, CCTP-II, BCN
March 29th, 2020
This week I received an invitation to join a volunteer program that provides brief pro-bono EMDR treatment to front line medical professionals working with COVID-19 patients right now. I immediately enrolled, excited about having the opportunity to help heal from traumatization those who are dealing with critically ill patients all day every day. But while waiting for the first call, it occurred to me that traumatization could be happening to many of us as well, especially to those in isolation who may not have anyone to support them emotionally.
Right now, we are all experiencing escalating fear and anxiety as we confront the fact that our lives are at risk during this global pandemic.
I am part of the team of therapists responsible for the Trauma Studies Program at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP). Our clinicians see hundreds of clients weekly that suffer from PTSD and/or complex trauma. We know that people with previous trauma very often have less resilience and get dysregulated more easily, and that they are more susceptible to develop emotional problems at a…
