Trauma is a response to seeing, hearing or experiencing something terrible. It can be a single event, a series of events or a set of circumstances. Your trauma response can make you feel out of control, unsafe or fearful for your life or the life of someone close to you.

Violence can have long-lasting mental and emotional effects. But trauma is not the end of your story. OSF Strive offers free, private help.

We understand that you want a better future for yourself. OSF Strive provides counseling and other services to guide you through the healing process. We will be by your side as you turn the page on trauma.

Types of traumatic events

Traumatic events can include:

• Armed robbery or violence
• Assaults
• Being attacked or threatened
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Domestic abuse or violence
• Gang violence
• Incarceration
• Intimate partner violence
• Physical, psychological or verbal abuse
• Rape or sexual violence
• Violence with any type of weapon

Common trauma responses

There is no right or wrong way to respond to traumatic events. Some common responses to trauma can impact your life and your future.

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Blaming yourself for what happened
• Depression
• Difficulty functioning
• Dissociation or avoiding situations
• Fear
• Feeling numb, in a daze or shocked
• Feeling sad or helpless
• Feeling scared, even in places you used to feel safe
• Feeling tense
• Having flashbacks or feeling like you are reliving the event
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Mood swings
• Nightmares
• Panic attacks, suddenly feeling scared or like you can’t breathe
• Racing heart
• Struggling at work or school
• Struggling in relationships with family, friends or significant other
• Tingling in the hands or mouth
• Trouble eating or sleeping
• Using drugs or alcohol to feel better

Signs of trauma in children

• Acting out
• Becoming withdrawn, barely speaking or not speaking at all
• Bed wetting despite being toilet trained
• New fears – fear of separation from caregivers, avoiding places they used to go
• Playing out trauma in drawings or play time

You don’t have to live with these types of symptoms. We can help you learn to cope and overcome trauma. Your story can go on with hope.

Our team

Our counselors and case managers are specially trained to help you after a traumatic event. Going to counseling does not mean you will have to recount or relive your experience. Our counselors will listen to what you are experiencing today and help you create a better future.

You’ll be given a trauma recovery advocate. They’ll be by your side as you heal. This person can go with you to meetings with police, attorneys, landlords or others you may be dealing with. They will help you understand the process, know your rights and get answers to your questions.

Cost

All services are provided free to adults and teens who live in Peoria or Rockford.

Get connected

Peoria
To get connected, please fill out the form or call us at (309) 308-2030.

Form for Individuals Form for Agencies

Rockford
To get connected, call us at (815) 227-2688.

Or, fill out the following forms.

Referral Form (PDF) Consent to Contact (PDF)

Fax or email your completed forms to us.
Fax: (815) 671-4245
Email: TRCreferral@osfhealthcare.org
If you have any questions, feel free to read the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) or call us.

*This project was supported by Grant #218493, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice, or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

**This project was supported by Grant #2016-VA-GX-0027, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice, or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.