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PTSD Counseling Specialist

Dr. Charles Mac Kentnor -  - Psychologist

Dr. Charles Mac Kentnor

Psychologist located in Denver, CO

For people throughout the Denver, Colorado area, treatment for post traumatic stress can help them finally let go of the past. Dr. Kentnor provides advanced, integrative therapy for PTSD and trauma-related conditions.

PTSD Q & A

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a serious condition that can affect every type of person. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, develops after a painful event which typically involves physical harm or the threat of harm. PTSD affects a person’s natural fight-or-flight response and causes extreme stress and anxiety, even when no danger is present. PTSD can come out of an event where a person was harmed, lost a loved one, or witnessed a violent event. Unfortunately, PTSD is common among veterans and those who suffered child abuse. It can also occur after:

  • Car accidents
  • Muggings
  • Train wrecks
  • Plane crashes
  • Rape
  • Torture
  • Kidnapping or captivity
  • Bombings
  • Natural disasters

What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD can cause very different symptoms depending on the person. Symptoms also do not usually follow a pattern, and they can take the time to develop. Frequently, when situations or things remind the person of the event, the person can relive the experience in his or her head.

They can also crop up from his or her own thoughts. These can include:

  • Flashbacks or reliving the trauma, including physical effects like a racing heart or sweating
  • Nightmares
  • Upsetting thoughts

 

Avoidance symptoms can also occur, like:

  • Avoiding places, events, activities, or objects which remind him or her of the experience
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Feeling anxiety, guilt, and depression
  • Lack of interest in usual activities
  • Blocking out memories of the event

 

Hyperarousal symptoms can be constant such as:

  • Being easily startled
  • Feeling overly tense
  • Angry outbursts
  • Stress and frustration
  • Trouble sleeping, eating or focusing

 

What is Dr. Kentor's approach to treating PTSD?

As part of my integrative approach, I frequently use a combination of therapies to treat PTSD. I believe that it is not my job to tell people my way of treating and facing problems with PTSD, but rather to create a supportive atmosphere which helps to promote reflectiveness, deepens self-awareness, and increases insight into the problem. I use my extensive training and years of experience to help people overcome the condition in whatever way will work best for them. I understand that since each person is unique, treatments and therapies used should be unique.