About Therapy
What exactly is trauma therapy anyway?
In a nutshell, trauma therapy is a type of therapy designed to help individuals heal from the effects of trauma – whether it’s from a single event, ongoing abuse, or other distressing experiences.
The goal is to help people process and integrate their traumatic memories, reducing symptoms like anxiety, depression, addiction, etc., and improve overall functioning.
How does it work?
We do things a little differently here at The Savannah Trauma Institute. Based on the concept of connection and community, we take a holistic approach to recovery and healing from unresolved trauma, focusing on the root of the problem rather than just its symptoms.
We work with clients to talk through past and current situations, looking to uncover patterns and repeated needs and issues. In doing so, we can determine an individual’s motivations.
We use techniques like meditation and mindfulness, two methods frequently used by most treatment centers. However, we ‘add a little spice’ to our program. We use these types of tools to replace maladaptive coping strategies and habits, and in doing so, we can keep our clients regulated. At the same time, they discover and begin to understand their internal triggers and motivations.
Once we realize these triggers, we can help our clients tackle the “why.” Why are they doing this? What motivates them? What was missing to cause such a massive issue so they cannot be happy (or even function fully, in some cases)?
Then, we apply EMDR.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective method of ‘breaking up’ unprocessed trauma into ‘bite-sized chunks.
In doing so, the client can process and FEEL unresolved trauma safely without being overwhelmed. This once massive ‘ball’ of unresolved pain suddenly becomes manageable, and the client gains the ability to release the trauma’s effect once and for all.
About Shawn Witt, LPC, CCTP-II, EMDR, C-PD
Trauma is something I know personally.
As a trauma survivor, I understand first-hand the core emotions brought about by trauma: feeling alone, unheard, ashamed, misunderstood, and disconnected.
After years of therapy, I found that traditional methods alone weren’t enough to address all my needs, leaving me feeling not entirely healed. This experience inspired me to embark on an educational journey to find a solution for myself and others.
I obtained my Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) certificate and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s in Psychoanalytics from Northwestern University. Later, I became an LPC with certifications in addiction (CAADC), trauma (CCTP-II), and personality disorders (C-PD), with a subspecialty in mass shooting survivors, first responders, and combat veterans.
I completed my training in Level Two EMDR techniques, which I utilize in my private practice.
Helping others recover from trauma is my mission.
In 2015, I was honored to serve on the Board of Advisors for The Ranch Recovery Center in Tennessee, which specializes in trauma and addiction recovery. This experience further cemented my passion for the cause.
I had a vision that no person should ever feel alone in their recovery, and I was determined to change things. I stayed the course, and in 2019, that vision motivated me to establish TraumAnon, a peer-led, 12-step trauma support group. TraumAnon now has an over 9,000-member community spanning the U.S. and multiple other countries.
In 2023, I founded The Savannah Trauma Institute, which offers individual therapy and community support to those suffering from mental health issues related to trauma and addiction.
Today, I continue to lecture throughout Georgia on trauma and recovery, introducing others to my innovative approach to trauma therapy.
Here are a few other accolades.
The Washington Post has quoted me, and currently, Politico uses me as a source regarding trauma and its effects on survivors.
I have been a guest speaker at the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network Conference and host certifications and training for CPSs throughout Georgia.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/10/29/therapists-waiting-lists-depression-anxiety/
I can help.
I may not know your specific story, but I know how it feels to be where you are. I know what it is like to have experienced trauma and struggle to take that first step in healing.
It would be my privilege to help you take it. Give me a call, and let’s get started!