The team of therapists at Freestate Behavioral Health Associates specialize in past traumas, Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We have extensive experience working with individuals who have been exposed to a variety of situations such as sexual assault or rape, childhood sexual abuse, traumatic childhood events such as an alcoholic or drug addicted parent, cumulative personal or job-related stress, or horrific or terrifying life events.  Symptoms may include:

 

• Flashbacks

• Insomnia

• Nightmares or night terrors

• Severe anxiety

• Uncontrollable thoughts about the event

• Intrusive memories

• “Replaying the event” in your mind

• Avoidance

• Negative changing in thinking and mood

• Changes in physical and emotional reactions

 

<Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967>

 

Our practice specializes in taking care of those in the uniformed services such as police, fire, EMS, and military. Both Dwight Polk and John Caruso came from the field of fire and EMS. They know what it’s like to work in public service and see the “worst of the worst.”  They speak and understand the language so that you don’t have to educate your therapist on the duties of your job. Dwight also responded to New York City following 9-11 to provide mental health and critical incident stress support to members of the local and federal law enforcement community (NYPD and FBI).

 

There is a lot of media attention about psychological trauma and PTSD. We want you to know that there is help for these conditions. You are not alone!! Our specialists use researched trauma techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help process past events and traumatic intrusions.

 

Freestate Behavioral Health Associates has an excellent working relationship with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Center of Excellence Recovery Center. The IAFF Center specializes in issues of behavioral health, substance abuse, and PTSD for IAFF members. This excellent intensive outpatient and 30-day inpatient program is located in Upper Marlboro, MD and is available as a referral source for our therapists. We also support and provide you with continuing care once you have completed your treatment at their facility. For more information, visit their website at https://www.iaffrecoverycenter.com/ or call them directly at 1-844-398-4378.