Trauma Therapy &
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma therapy is a specialized form of counseling that helps people heal from distressing, painful, or life-threatening experiences — such as abuse, accidents, violence, loss, or any event that overwhelms their ability to cope.
Find a Therapist
How do you choose? How do you find the right professional? Finding the right therapist means something different to each individual. Many people ask about specializations, experience, credentials, and overall treatment and approach. To help you with your decision we provide credentials and other important information about our therapists on our Find a Therapist page.
Processing the Emotional and Physical Effect of Trauma
Regain control of your life, restoring a sense of safety
Trauma doesn’t just live in memories or emotions; it deeply affects how the mind, body, and nervous system function over time. Trauma can reshape how people think, feel, and relate to others, influencing mental health in powerful ways. Trauma significantly increases the risk of several mental health disorders, including: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder, Dissociation, Substance Use Disorders, Eating Disorders or Self-Harm, and more.
Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) for Post Traumatic Stress (PTS)
* RTM is 98% effective in resolving PTS in 3 sessions
RTM has proven particularly effective for treating veterans who have experienced combat, sexual, childhood and other severe traumas.
The focus of RTM is to separate the traumatic feelings from the memories using a relaxed re-imaging process. Clients are guided to dissociate themselves from the traumatic memories and while separated from feelings of fear, terror or helplessness, make changes, so that the memory no longer signals fight, flight or danger. Following RTM treatment, people find they are no longer feel preoccupied with trauma events and their nightmares and flashbacks no longer trouble them. PTS can be resolved in 3 RTM sessions.
Emotional & Behavioral Challenges - Warning Signs
Even events that seem “minor” to others can be deeply traumatic depending on someone’s age, support system, and emotional resilience. Trauma can come from: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse,
Neglect or abandonment, Domestic violence, Serious accidents or injuries, War, natural disasters, or sudden loss, Bullying or chronic humiliation, Childhood trauma or adverse experiences, and more.
Warning Signs
- Recurrent flashbacks or nightmares
- Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
- Emotional numbness or detachment from others
- Trouble trusting people or forming close relationships
- Self-blame, guilt, or shame related to the event
- Depression, anxiety, or panic attacks
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Common Behavioral Changes
Withdrawal or Isolation
- The person may pull away from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed.
- They might avoid social situations or seem emotionally distant.
- This can stem from fear of being hurt again, shame, or difficulty trusting others.
Hypervigilance or Over reactivity
- A constant sense of being “on edge” or alert for danger.
- The person may startle easily, have trouble relaxing, or feel unsafe even in calm situations.
- This is a survival response — the brain is stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode.
Emotional Numbness or Detachment
- Some people shut down emotionally to protect themselves from pain.
- They may appear cold, disconnected, or indifferent — even though they’re deeply hurting inside.
- This can make it hard to connect with loved ones or express feelings.
Anger, Irritability, or Aggression
- Trauma can make emotions feel unpredictable or intense.
- Small frustrations may trigger outbursts, yelling, or irritability.
- This often masks deeper emotions like fear, grief, or helplessness.
Avoidance Behaviors
- The person might avoid reminders of the trauma — places, people, smells, sounds, or conversations.
- They may also avoid emotions, using distractions or numbing behaviors (like overworking, scrolling, or substance use).
Changes in Sleep or Appetite
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia, nightmares, or frequent waking.
- Eating changes: loss of appetite, overeating, or irregular meals.
- These reflect how trauma disrupts the body’s natural rhythms and sense of safety.
Difficulty Concentrating or Completing Tasks
- Trouble focusing, forgetfulness, or appearing “spaced out.”
- The mind may feel hijacked by intrusive memories or hyper alertness.
- This can impact school, work, and daily functioning.
Substance Use or Risky Behavior
- Alcohol, drugs, gambling, or risky sexual behavior may be used to numb emotional pain or regain a sense of control.
- These coping mechanisms can create new problems over time.
Self-Blame or Self-Destructive Actions
- Some trauma survivors develop self-critical or self-harming behaviors.
- They may feel guilt or shame, even though they weren’t responsible for what happened.
Regression or Changes in Daily Functioning
- Especially in children and teens, trauma can cause regression — such as clinginess, bedwetting, or fear of separation.
- In adults, it may appear as difficulty managing responsibilities or maintaining routines.
The data shows trauma is very common (many people experience traumatic events), even if not all develop PTSD.
Trauma‐focused therapies show substantial promise: many people experience large reductions in PTSD symptoms and a meaningful portion lose the diagnosis.
Successful outcomes often depend on factors like engagement, fidelity to evidence-based models, and adequate number of sessions.
Benefits of Therapy & Counseling
With Healing and Support many of these behaviors can improve or disappear with trauma-informed therapy, safety, and emotional support. People often begin to: Reconnect socially,
Sleep and eat more regularly, Manage emotions more calmly, Feel grounded and safe in their bodies again
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Restores a Sense of Safety and Control
After trauma, people often feel unsafe — in their bodies, relationships, or even in the world.
Counseling helps them:
- Re-establish emotional and physical safety
- Understand their triggers
- Learn tools to regain control over their responses and environment
Healing begins when a person realizes, “I am safe now.”
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Helps Process and Release Traumatic Memories
Many survivors avoid thinking about their trauma because it’s too painful — but avoidance keeps the pain “stuck.” In therapy, people learn to:
- Face memories safely at their own pace
- Separate the past from the present
- Reduce the intensity of flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts
Therapies like Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) for Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Trauma-Focused CBT are especially effective for this.
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Reduces Symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression
Trauma often leads to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
Through counseling, people often see:
- Fewer panic attacks and emotional outbursts
- Improved sleep and concentration
- Decreased hypervigilance or irritability
- A calmer, more stable mood
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Improves Relationships and Trust
Trauma can make it hard to trust others or feel close. Counseling helps people:
- Rebuild emotional intimacy
- Communicate needs and boundaries clearly
- Heal attachment wounds from betrayal, abuse, or neglect
Many find that as they heal, they feel more connected, compassionate, and open in their relationships.
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Builds Healthy Coping Skills
Instead of using avoidance, anger, or substances, therapy teaches grounding and self-soothing techniques, such as:
- Deep breathing and mindfulness
- Body awareness and relaxation exercises
- Journaling or expressive art
- Identifying triggers and responding calmly
These skills help prevent emotional overwhelm and support long-term stability.
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Reduces Shame, Guilt, and Self-Blame
Many survivors carry toxic guilt or shame, believing the trauma was their fault. Therapists help them challenge these beliefs and replace them with self-compassion and understanding:
- “What happened to you is not your fault — and you deserve to heal.”
- Letting go of self-blame can restore confidence and self-worth.
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Encourages Post-Traumatic Growth
Healing from trauma doesn’t just mean reducing pain — it can also lead to personal growth and resilience. People often report:
- A deeper appreciation for life
- Stronger relationships
- Increased empathy
- A renewed sense of purpose
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Improves Physical Health
Trauma affects the body, not just the mind. By calming the nervous system, trauma therapy can lead to:
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate
- Better sleep quality
- Less muscle tension and chronic pain
- Improved immune function
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Provides Validation and Emotional Support
- Many trauma survivors feel misunderstood or silenced. Counseling offers a nonjudgmental space where their story is heard, believed, and respected — a powerful step toward self-acceptance.
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Restores Hope and Empowerment
- Ultimately, trauma counseling helps people move from survival to thriving. They rediscover inner strength, rebuild trust in themselves, and begin to look toward the future with confidence and hope.
According to the World Health Organization Around 70% of people globally will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime.
📊 Studies show that up to 70–80% of people with PTSD experience significant improvement with trauma-focused therapy.
The Future Depends on What You Do Today!
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