We look at trauma less as what happened and more as how your nervous system took it in and stored it. Our team uses EMDR, somatic therapy and AEDP to help that stored experience settle. We see people in person in Casper or online anywhere in Wyoming.
What we mean by trauma
Brandon often shares a definition from his mentor, Bridger Falkenstein of Beyond Healing Center: trauma is “too much too soon, too much for too long, or too little for too long.”
That definition makes room for overwhelming events and for the absence of safety, connection and care. It also explains why two people can go through the same thing and come away differently. What overwhelms one nervous system may not overwhelm another, and neither response is a sign of weakness.
Acute, chronic and developmental trauma
Trauma does not always come from a single event. It tends to fall into three broad patterns, and many people have some of each.
- Acute trauma: one overwhelming event, such as a car accident, a natural disaster or a sudden loss.
- Chronic trauma: harm or stress repeated over time, such as ongoing abuse, bullying or living somewhere that did not feel safe.
- Developmental or relational trauma: neglect, abandonment or a lack of emotional attunement while growing up.
How trauma shows up in the nervous system
From a Polyvagal perspective, trauma happens when the nervous system cannot find its way back to safety and connection after a threat. It gets stuck in survival mode. For some people that looks like fight or flight: hypervigilance, agitation, a body that never fully relaxes. For others it looks like freeze or shutdown: numbness, low energy, hopelessness and pulling away.
PTSD is the diagnosis used when these patterns stay in place after a traumatic event and get in the way of daily life. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy with us. Common signs that trauma is still active include:
- Intrusive memories, nightmares or flashbacks
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Depression and low energy
- Strong emotional reactions that feel out of proportion
- Trouble trusting people or staying close in relationships
- Ongoing stress, tension or health problems
How we treat trauma in Casper, WY
Trauma lives in both the body and the mind, so we use approaches that work with both. We start by building resources and stability, and we do not move into hard memories until you feel ready.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess memories that still feel raw. Brandon is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and EMDR Certified Clinician, and everyone on our team is EMDR trained.
Somatic therapy helps you notice what your body is doing, use grounding to come back to the present and let built-up activation release at a pace you choose.
AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), which Brandon is trained in, focuses on feeling emotions fully with a therapist alongside you, so you are not facing them alone the way you may have before.
What healing from trauma can look like
Healing is possible, and it rarely moves in a straight line. Over time, therapy for trauma can help with:
- Building inner resources and a steadier sense of safety
- Processing memories that have stayed stuck
- Reconnecting with your body and learning grounding skills
- Changing old patterns in relationships
- Treating yourself with more compassion and hope
Our trauma therapists
Brandon works with adolescents, adults and couples, using an attachment-focused, emotion-forward approach. Beth Corley holds a master's degree in Neuroscience and Trauma and works with children and adults affected by adversity. Justin Whitson, a former EMT, works with trauma in individuals and families, including first responders and medical professionals. Kala Corban is EMDR trained and works mostly with older adolescents, adults and couples.
Questions people ask
What if what happened to me does not seem big enough to be trauma?
Trauma is not measured by how dramatic an event sounds. Years of feeling unseen, or growing up without enough support, can affect the nervous system as much as a single crisis. If something still shapes how you feel and react, it is worth talking about.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma therapy?
No. Many people we see have never been diagnosed. In the first sessions we learn what you are dealing with and talk about whether a diagnosis is relevant, including for insurance.
Will I have to relive the worst parts of my past?
We do not start with the hardest memories. The early work is about stability and resources, and with EMDR you do not need to tell every detail out loud. You decide how fast to go, and you can take a break whenever you need one.
How do I start trauma therapy in Casper?
Call 307-215-1021 or email brandon@openroadtherapy.com for a free phone consultation. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (in-network), Cigna, Optumhealth Behavioral Solutions, Medicaid and other plans. We will match you with a therapist and send intake forms before your first session.