Healing Trauma and PTSD with Compassionate Therapy and Horses

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month also known as PTSD. Approximately 13 million adults in the United States are estimated to have PTSD.  80 percent of people are civilians with PTSD, surprisingly only 20 percent are military related. You can get traditional PTSD from a single traumatic event like a car accident or experiencing violence. But if you experienced multiple traumas, it may be diagnosed as complex PTSD. PTSD is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

In this edition of The Paid Leave Podcast, my guests are Dr. Jyothi Vayalakkara, she is a clinical neuropsychologist, who has been immersed in her work with mental health and complex trauma for more than two decades, and she currently is a supervising psychologist with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, also known as DHMAS, where she is a long standing board member of the statewide advisory council that works on eliminating health disparities across the socio economic spectrum within DHMAS. She is currently a facilitator for Diversity Equity and Inclusion for state employees. Our other guest is Renee Bouffard, she is a licensed clinical social worker and equine therapist at Healing Hoofbeats in Bethlehem, CT. which she founded.  Renee helps individuals feel more empowered and secure in their lives through building healthy and mutually beneficial relationships with horses to foster connection and to support empowerment through equine and animal supported therapy. 

Dr. Vayalakkara explains what PTSD is, the diagnosis and her treatment protocol, emphasizing trauma-informed care and the importance of social support. Renee discusses equine therapy for everyone including a program for veterans, highlighting the program's free services and its impact on mental health. Both guests stress the need to reduce stigma around PTSD and the benefits of the paid leave program in providing financial and emotional support for those affected by trauma.

To get in touch with Dr. Jyothi Vayalakkara please go to: New England Psychological & Neuropsychological Associates, LLC or go to: Jyothi Vayalakkara, Psychologist, Rocky Hill, CT, 06067 | Psychology Today

To get in touch with Renee Bouchard please go to:  Healing Hoofbeats of CT | Equine & Animal Supported Therapy Services | Equine Therapy CT or call 203-244-8411

and for more information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave

https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/



https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave



https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave