10 VITALITY Spring 2026 Free yourself from past trauma Justin Johns, LCSW Butterfield Park Medical Center Sara Neal, PsyD Willard Medical Center and Walk-In Clinic Rachael Swopes, PhD CMH Pediatric Clinic Nicole Twenter, LPC CMH Pediatric Clinic Interested in EMDR? Scan the QR code or visit cmhbolivar.info/ emdr to learn more about behavioral health services and EMDR at CMH. Four behavioral health providers at CMH offer eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for patients with PTSD and other behavioral health disorders. EMDR involves bilateral stimulation, which can be tapping, eye movements or vibrations in your hands. The stimulation activates the trauma to let it move through your system. “After it’s moved and relocated, it’s no longer able to be activated in your system like it was before,” Sara Neal, PsyD, says. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about 12 million people in the United States. And it’s not just military veterans. Survivors or witnesses of sexual assault, car accidents, natural disasters and other serious events can also develop PTSD. What does PTSD look like? While feelings of fear or stress are common after a trauma, people with PTSD often continue to feel these things long after the danger has passed. Symptoms usually start within the first three months of the traumatic experience, but they can sometimes begin later. Common signs include: ● Flashbacks, nightmares or distressing thoughts. ● Avoiding reminders of the trauma. ● Feeling tense or on edge. ● Trouble sleeping, eating or focusing. ● Negative thoughts about yourself or the world. ● Feeling isolated or disconnected. Treatment options that work ● Talk therapy. The most effective approaches focus on processing the trauma itself. Options include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). ● Medication. Antidepressant drugs may help manage symptoms. ● Complementary approaches. Practices that support overall mental wellness are sometimes helpful when used along with conventional treatments. PTSD: Treatment can help Get the help you deserve If you have questions about PTSD, make an appointment with one of our behavioral health providers by visiting cmhbolivar.info/ BHDirectory or calling 417-328-6010. Meet our providers
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