PTSD Treatment: Finding Relief and Healing After Trauma

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur after exposure to life-threatening or distressing events, such as serious injury, sexual violence, or witnessing death. It can lead to intense emotional and psychological distress, often persisting for months or even years. PTSD can deeply affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. But there’s hope—PTSD is treatable, and there are effective, evidence-based therapies to help you heal and reclaim your life.

I offer three proven treatments for PTSD: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Each of these therapies has been researched and shown to help individuals effectively address and resolve the symptoms of PTSD. If you’re interested in learning more about these options, I’d be happy to discuss them with you in our first session and work together to decide which approach is the best fit for your healing process.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR is a well-researched, effective therapy that targets trauma and the lasting impact it has on the brain. With EMDR, we work to process the disturbing memories and emotions that are contributing to your PTSD symptoms. What sets EMDR apart is its use of bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, visual or auditory tones—while focusing on the trauma-related memories. This combination helps your brain reprocess the trauma in a way that reduces emotional intensity and makes it easier for you to store the memories in a healthier, more manageable way.

In an EMDR session, I will guide you through recalling a traumatic memory while you follow a set of rapid eye movements or other bilateral stimuli. Over time, this process helps the brain shift its emotional response to the memory, leading to significant reductions in distress and improved emotional regulation. Treatment typically spans 9 to 12 sessions, though this can vary based on the nature and complexity of your trauma. Many people begin to notice relief from their symptoms early in the treatment process. Watch this video for more information on how EMDR can help you on your healing journey.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is another research-backed treatment for PTSD that helps you confront and reduce the distressing effects of trauma. In PE, we gradually revisit trauma memories and situations that you’ve been avoiding since the event occurred. By facing these memories and fears in a safe, controlled environment, you can learn to reduce the emotional intensity and anxiety tied to those experiences. The goal is to help you regain control over your life and significantly reduce your PTSD symptoms.

During PE, we will focus on both the memories of the trauma and the situations you’ve been avoiding because of the trauma. This gradual approach is designed to help you reprocess those memories and bring down the level of emotional and psychological distress they cause. PE typically involves 8 to 15 sessions, each lasting between 50 to 80 minutes. As you progress, you’ll likely begin to notice reductions in anxiety and avoidance behaviors, and the benefits of treatment often continue long after the sessions end. For more information on how PE can help you heal, watch this video to understand the process and benefits.

Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapeutic approach designed to help you challenge and change distressing thoughts and beliefs that have developed as a result of your trauma. CPT is particularly useful for individuals who find it difficult to confront trauma directly or who are not yet ready for exposure-based treatments. What makes CPT unique is that it does not require you to talk in detail about the trauma itself, making it an excellent option for those who may feel uncomfortable or retraumatized by recounting their experiences.

In CPT, I will help you identify negative thoughts or “stuck” beliefs that you have about yourself, others, or the world as a result of your trauma. We’ll work together to challenge these thoughts and replace them with healthier, more realistic perspectives. This process helps reduce the ongoing emotional impact of the trauma, improve your coping skills, and foster a healthier self-image. CPT typically involves 12 to 15 weekly sessions, each ranging from 50 to 80 minutes. Most clients experience significant improvements in symptoms after just a few sessions. The benefits of CPT can last well beyond the treatment period, helping you feel more empowered and capable of navigating life’s challenges. Check out this video to learn more about how CPT works and what it can do for you.

If you're struggling with PTSD, know that you don't have to face it alone. Together, we can explore these evidence-based treatment options and find the right one to support your healing process. Each therapy is tailored to fit your specific needs, and I’m here to walk with you every step of the way as you work toward emotional relief and recovery.