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A recent story on highlighted how some unique organizations ¡ª including Shirley Ryan ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌÃ91 ¡ª provide psychological treatment, in addition to traditional physical therapy, to patients who survive gun violence.
According to the article, 9 in 10 survivors of gun violence experience symptoms of trauma, including insomnia, depression, nightmares, alcohol and substance abuse, and difficulty concentrating.
In the article, Jenna Sarna, Psy.D. manager, Psychology/Patient Family Counseling, Shirley Ryan ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌÃ91, described the psychological support services that she and her colleagues provide these patients.
¡°Emotional distress is not always as visible as the physical injuries can be,¡± Dr. Sarna said. ¡°But it can be equally painful and impacting. So, part of our goal is to help these individuals, both physically and emotionally, with their rehab needs, through our interdisciplinary team.¡±
She also discussed the benefits of treating the psychological needs of these patients.
¡°It¡¯s amazing watching their journey while they¡¯re going through the treatment,¡± Dr. Sarna said. ¡°We get to help support them and give them coping strategies and help them find ways to process or to de-stress or to reduce that physiological arousal and partner with them and kind of walk them through it.¡±
