Community Trauma Care by Dr. Fred Shotz

I’m very happy to share the news with you that  PTSD / trauma specialist, Dr. Fred Shotz will again be taking time from his practice in Maine to return to Montecito.  June 6th, 7th, and 8th .  While this might not be something you need, I hope you’ll pass this information on to anyone you know who is suffering and would benefit from this remarkable doctor’s care.
 
Dr. Shotz first came in February, to treat firemen, police officers and survivors, pro-bono.  Trauma (any experience that causes strong, emotional and physiological reactions) damages physical health, undermines emotional control, and impedes intellectual development until treated.  Memories of abuse, war, disasters, accidents, illness, divorce, loss of a loved one, etc. all create on-going stress and anxiety that compromise physical and emotional health, behavior and decision making.
 
This time, Dr. Shotz will be seeing patients for the new, Community Trauma Care, (CTC).  The doctor’s  initial visit was so successful that a group of former patients are in the process of creating the non-profit, Community Trauma Care, website: www.communitytraumacare.org.  Though he will again be treating survivors and first responders effected by our local disasters, the doctor will also be working with others experiencing trauma, stress, anxiety, fears and phobias of various origins.
 
Appointments may be made at patientcare@communitytraumacare.org, or by calling, 805.694-8046. Fees are on a sliding-scale, based on income, so that all in need may receive treatment. As before, there’s no charge for first responders, survivors, or military veterans.  
 
Going forward, Community Trauma Care, will assure the special treatment developed by Dr. Shotz and trained caregivers will be available to Santa Barbara County families and individuals on a regular basis.  The ultimate goal is to be available to sufferers from military combat, sexual, emotional, physical abuse, bullying, accidents, human trafficking, homelessness, incarceration, and natural disasters. Until the 501c3, non-profit status is completed, contributions are urgently needed to support the work and development of Community Trauma Care.  Information and donations may be made on the website: www.communitytraumacare.org , or call:  Community Trauma Care, 805 694-8046.
 
These are some comments, from former patients after one treatment:
 
Fireman: “There was so much chaos everywhere. Bodies of humans and animals, people shouting for help. It was a nightmare for all of us first responders. We just couldn’t do everything or save everyone. Two days after the debris flow was over, I became semi-paralyzed to do anything, or to think clearly. I was afraid my career was over. I just barely got by from day to day. I wasn’t sleeping and I know the quality of my work was poor. It was like that for a year, until I saw Dr. Shotz. He worked with me for over an hour, and it was unbelievable – really unbelievable. I sure wouldn’t have believed it was possible to be relieved of all that trauma in one session. Several months later, I can say I’m a new man, able to work like before and be the person I want to be with my family.”
 
Iraqi War Veteran and Thomas Fire Survivor: “Working with Dr. Shotz was a pivotal turning point in my life. In one treatment I felt like I was able to break through many years of accumulated trauma and anxiety. His ability to discern my greatest areas of trauma and to directly treat fear and anxiety in an effective, comprehensive and immediate approach was unlike any therapeutic situation I’ve ever undergone. I have not felt this secure and confident about this traumatic situation since it occurred. I am so grateful for Dr. Shotz for his time and energy and compassion and most importantly, for his ability to help me move past a place of extreme panic and hopelessness. As a veteran of the Iraq war, survivor of the Thomas Fire, and mother of a young child, who has struggled with PTSD for many years, I would highly recommend Dr. Shotz to any individual who may want an immediate resolution for many years of trauma.”