SAN DIEGO, Nov. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventura County is mourning the deaths of a dozen people killed in a mass shooting at a popular local bar in Thousand Oaks, CA. The trauma from this senseless tragedy will undoubtedly affect the survivors, their loved ones, and the community at large. Resources can be found at CounselingCalifornia.com and through GiveAnHour.org, a service that provides assistance to those who might normally know how to access help because of sudden changes in their circumstances.  

"Tragic events like this shooting can be incredibly frightening to survivors and community members. People might understandably have difficult processing feelings of grief, anxiety, or fear. Signs of traumatic stress may manifest through the following symptoms: difficulty managing worried thoughts, increased startle response, fearfulness or panic, compulsions or obsessions, fatigue, muscle tension, tendency to be overly cautious, recurring images of the violence, and changes in sleeping and eating habits," said Dr. Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, CAE, Executive Director of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Talking to a therapist can help alleviate these symptoms. Many therapists in the community have volunteered to help support those affected. "The news of this type of tragic mass shooting often brings with it a sense of hopelessness," said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President of Give an Hour. "But we must never give up hope and we must always step forward to support those who are suffering. For those whose lives have been forever changed because of this senseless act, many therapists are available to provide pro bono mental health support to help those in need."

CAMFT recommends anyone having difficulty coping with a tragic event is to seek help with a therapist. Marriage and Family Therapists practice early crisis intervention and brief focused psychotherapy to resolve problems and reduce symptoms quickly.

About California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
CAMFT is an independent professional organization of 32,000 members representing the interests of Marriage and Family Therapists. It is dedicated to advancing the profession, maintaining high standards of professional ethics, upholding the qualifications and expanding awareness for the profession. Find an expert therapist on www.counselingcalifornia.com.

About Give an Hour
The nonprofit organization of nearly 7,000 licensed mental health professionals has provided more than 265,000 hours of free therapy services to U.S. service members, veterans, and their families; and expanded efforts to address the mental health needs of other populations including at-risk teens, survivors of gun violence, victims of human trafficking and those affected by natural and man-made disasters. Learn more at giveanhour.org.

SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Related Links

https://www.counselingcalifornia.com