For many people living with the effects of trauma, the symptoms show up everywhere — restless nights, racing thoughts, chronic pain, digestive distress, or overwhelming anxiety. When trauma is untreated, the body and mind remain locked in survival mode. But healing mind and body through therapy is possible. With the right therapeutic support, it’s not only emotions that improve — physical health often follows.
At Elnita Ottey & Associates Counseling and Consulting Services, we use trauma-informed therapies that address the whole person. By calming the nervous system and reprocessing painful memories, we help clients break free from cycles of stress that affect both body and mind.
Why Therapy Must Go Beyond Talk
Traditional talk therapy can be valuable for insight, but trauma requires more. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score, traumatic experiences are not just stored as stories — they’re encoded in the body. That’s why trauma survivors may feel their chest tighten, stomach ache, or heart race when recalling past experiences.
Effective trauma therapy must address both:
-
The cognitive impact (thoughts, beliefs, fears)
-
The physiological imprint (stress responses, body sensations, illness patterns)
When therapy acknowledges both the emotional and physical dimensions of trauma, clients can truly begin healing mind and body through therapy — restoring a sense of safety and balance from within.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Healing Mind and Body
At Elnita Ottey & Associates, we integrate proven, research-based treatments designed to restore safety to both body and mind.
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming physical or emotional reactions. Clients often report less anxiety, fewer nightmares, and decreased body tension. Research confirms EMDR is highly effective for PTSD and related health concerns (EMDR Institute).
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns that reinforce stress and illness. By reframing these thoughts, clients gain greater emotional regulation and reduced physiological arousal.
Mindfulness and Grounding Practices
Gentle, present-moment techniques teach the nervous system how to transition from “fight-or-flight” into “rest-and-digest.” These practices strengthen resilience and promote healing of mind and body through therapy, supporting both emotional and physical health.
How the Body Responds to Healing
When trauma is treated effectively, physical improvements often accompany emotional healing:
-
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
-
Reduced inflammation and pain
-
Improved digestion and sleep
-
Increased energy and vitality
-
Stronger immune function
This happens because therapy helps reset the autonomic nervous system. Instead of remaining stuck in hypervigilance or shutdown, the body can once again shift fluidly between stress and rest — restoring balance and health.
The Power of an Integrated Approach
Healing trauma isn’t about “fixing” a single symptom. It’s about creating safety in both mind and body. By combining evidence-based therapy with compassion, clients often discover:
-
Greater clarity in their thinking
-
Reduced reactivity in stressful situations
-
Renewed confidence in their body’s ability to heal
-
A stronger sense of connection with themselves and others
A 2018 meta-analysis in The Lancet Psychiatry concluded that trauma-focused therapies not only reduce PTSD symptoms but also improve overall functioning and quality of life.
At Elnita Ottey & Associates, our integrated approach ensures that each client experiences healing mind and body through therapy, supported by both scientific evidence and compassionate care.
Taking the First Step
Breaking the cycle of trauma’s impact can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. With trauma-informed therapy, it is possible to reclaim your health, heal mind and body through therapy, and begin to thrive again.
Struggling to find balance between your mind and body after trauma?
💡At Elnita Ottey & Associates, we specialize in healing mind and body through therapy, combining EMDR and trauma-informed care to help you reclaim peace and resilience.
📍 In-person sessions available in Monroe, NC, and the Charlotte Metro area.
🌐 Virtual sessions offered in NC, SC, TN, OK, CO, and OR.
➡️ Learn more at www.elnitaottey.com or find a certified EMDR therapist at www.emdria.org.
