PTSD/ Trauma Related Disorders

PTSD & Trauma-Related Disorders in Rapid City, SD

Safety, healing, and stability are possible.

Trauma can change how your brain and body respond to the world—sometimes long after the event has passed. If memories, nightmares, or body alarms keep pulling you back into survival mode, you’re not broken. PTSD and trauma-related conditions are treatable, and with compassionate care, you can feel safe and grounded again.

If you ever feel unsafe or are in crisis, please call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Understanding PTSD & Trauma

Trauma responses are the brain’s protective systems working overtime. They can follow a single event or repeated stress over time. Many people experience symptoms that affect sleep, relationships, concentration, and a felt sense of safety. None of this is your fault—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Common trauma-related diagnoses include PTSD, acute stress reaction, and adjustment disorders. Some people also identify with complex trauma when experiences were ongoing or occurred in childhood.

Common Symptoms

You might notice:

• Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks

• Avoiding reminders of people, places, or sensations

• Feeling on edge: startle, hypervigilance, irritability

• Numbness, disconnection, or loss of interest

• Sleep problems and concentration difficulties

• Guilt, shame, or negative beliefs about yourself or the world

• Physical symptoms (tension, headaches, GI upset) without clear medical cause

PTSD Is Treatable

Healing is absolutely possible. Many people experience major relief through trauma-focused therapies and, when appropriate, medication to reduce nightmares, anxiety, and hyperarousal. Treatment aims to restore safety in your body, reduce symptoms, and rebuild a life that feels open and meaningful.

How We Help

At Crystal Clear Mental Health, care is gentle, paced, and collaborative. Together, we’ll:

• Create a safety-first plan to reduce distress and improve sleep

• Consider medication options (when appropriate) for anxiety, nightmares, mood, and concentration

• Build grounding and regulation skills (breath, sensory, routine) you can use anywhere

• Coordinate with trauma-focused therapists (e.g., EMDR, CPT, PE) at your pace

• Address co-occurring concerns like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or substance use

• Check in regularly and adjust your plan as your nervous system settles

What to Expect at Your Visit

Your first visit centers on choice and consent—you decide what to share and when. We’ll map your goals, identify current triggers, and outline practical next steps. Follow-ups focus on steady progress: better sleep, fewer spikes, and feeling more present in daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to tell my trauma story in detail?
No. We go at your pace. Many skills and medications help without revisiting details.

Do medications “numb” emotions?
The goal is not numbing—it’s reducing alarm signals so you can rest, think clearly, and engage in healing.

Can I do therapy and medication together?
Yes. Many people benefit most from a both/and approach—skills + therapy + medication as needed.

How long does treatment take?
Timelines vary. Many people notice improvements in sleep, startle, or anxiety within weeks, with continued gains over months.

You Deserve to Feel Safe Again

Trauma may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to steer your future. With steady, compassionate care, relief and resilience are within reach.