PTSD Treatment & Trauma Therapy in Raleigh

What are common symptoms of PTSD & trauma?

PTSD and trauma-related symptoms can show up differently for everyone. However, here are some of the most commonly experienced indicators that you are living in a state of trauma:

• Experiencing uncontrolled traumatic flashbacks or memories
• Being jumpy, nervous, and fearful
• Avoidant of people, places, activities that used to bring you joy
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling irritable or on edge
• Can’t stop scanning your environment
• Prefer to sit facing doors or exits
• Having negative thoughts about yourself, the world, or others

What Approaches Do Your Trauma Therapists Use?

The symptoms mentioned above are only a few examples of the way our minds and bodies respond to trauma. We understand these symptoms can feel terrifying, frustrating, and can significantly impact your ability to live your life. It’s important to know that these are normal responses to an abnormal event; it’s your body’s way of trying to respond protectively. While trauma may have temporarily disrupted your nervous system, trauma therapy can help you rediscover balance.

We approach trauma treatment through an evidence-based, trauma-informed, and deeply individualized lens. We recognize that trauma affects not only symptoms, but also the way people relate to themselves, others, and the world around them. For many individuals, trauma can shape patterns of emotional responding, self-protection, perfectionism, avoidance, relationship dynamics, identity, and meaning-making in ways that persist long after the original experiences have ended.

Our psychologists specialize in evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma-related disorders, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD. We also integrate process-based, attachment-informed, and mindfulness-based approaches when clinically appropriate.

Rather than applying the same protocol to every person, we carefully tailor treatment to the mechanisms and patterns most relevant to each client’s difficulties. Therapy may involve helping clients better understand the impact of past experiences, reduce avoidance, process painful emotions and memories safely, develop emotional and relational flexibility, strengthen self-compassion, improve sleep and nervous system regulation, and reconnect with values, meaning, and intentional living.

We believe effective trauma therapy should be grounded in both scientific rigor and genuine human connection. Our goal is not simply symptom reduction, but helping clients move toward a fuller, more flexible, and more authentic way of living.

Do you offer couples therapy for PTSD?

Yes! We offer a specialized form of evidence-based therapy for PTSD that is designed to help couples when one partner is struggling with a PTSD diagnosis. This therapy is called Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD. Couples learn how to address their emotional and cognitive problems with clear skill-based techniques, helping them to support themselves and one another. Goals of CBCT include creating a sense of approaching problems as a team, effective communication, reduction of avoidance, and challenging unhelpful beliefs.

Will I have to relive my trauma during treatment?

No! We help you process your memories and thoughts in a safe and controlled environment. Part of the work of our therapy is helping you become skilled in discerning between memories and the present. We work as a team to foster compassion and courage. Through our work together you will be able to challenge some of the fears that every client has about beginning trauma-focused work. It’s common to fear that you won’t be able to handle it or that “going there” will “undo” you. Everybody thinks this but with skill building, education, and willingness, you will see that they are just that: fears, nothing more. 

Furthermore, you are not on anyone’s timeline but your own. Our primary goal is to build a strong foundation to our therapeutic relationship with you in which we nurture trust and a felt sense of safety. You do not have to discuss anything you do not wish to and certainly do not have to talk about traumatic memories when you first meet with your clinician. For example, if someone wanted to work on a trauma involving a car accident but did not feel ready to discuss it in the intake appointment, they can rest assured knowing that their therapist will tell them: “Today is not about recounting any specifics of events that may bother you, we can just agree that you want to address an event that has been difficult for you to move past; you don’t have to say anything about it if you don’t feel ready.”

Why Does Trauma Therapy Involve Processing Difficult Memories?

This is a common question. We understand that you may be asking yourself, “If talking about trauma is difficult, why would I work on it?rdquo;

Think of trauma like a book. Every day, it opens to the worst page and because you understandably don’t want to see that page, you slam it shut. This avoidance arrests healing and is the “glue” that keeps PTSD going. Trauma therapy helps you put memories in place in such a way that we can open the book and start at page one, read from start to finish, and then set it down without it popping open anymore. Take a moment and imagine what your life can be like if you aren’t living in fear of a flashback, intrusive memory, or paralyzing fear. That kind of peace is possible.

Do you offer online therapy for trauma?

Yes! We offer both in-person appointments and virtual care options. You can enjoy the safety and comfort of your own space while taking courageous steps toward healing with your psychologist of choice. We offer HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms to meet your needs. Online therapy (telehealth) is very effective in treating trauma and PTSD. We conduct the same type of treatments in the same way we would in person so you can take comfort in the fact that you aren’t missing any important aspect of care. Telehealth appointments are available in Raleigh, throughout the state of North Carolina, and in most states. You can verify if your state is a PSYPACT state. Many of our providers hold a PSYPACT credential which allows them to serve clients across the US. Our in-person appointments are always available, so even if you begin your telehealth journey, you can also schedule the occasional in-person session if desired. We offer in-person appointments for trauma therapy that are convenient for residents in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Durham, Cary, Apex, and Clayton.

What are the different types of trauma, and do you treat them all?

Yes, we are experts in the assessment and treatment of all forms of trauma:

• Acute Trauma: it happened once
• Chronic Trauma: a type of trauma happened several times or the trauma is of an extended and ongoing nature
• Complex Trauma: also referred to as Complex PTSD or C-PTSD; the experience of multiple types of traumas over a long period of time

 

You may also hear the terms “Big T” trauma and “little t” trauma. These phrases refer to the nature of the trauma, rather than the frequency or duration. For example, “Big T” trauma is used to refer to experiences that are life-threatening. These are events that we traditionally think of when we hear the word “trauma”, such as accidents, combat, chronic abuse or neglect, assault, witnessing another’s trauma, or experiencing a natural disaster. Alternatively, “little t” traumas are events that are considered traumatic on a personal level to the individual who experiences them, but may not be considered traumatic universally. Examples may be divorce, a difficult breakup, loss of a pet, a difficult move, professional stress or changes, financial stress, chronic pain, or a medical issue.

While only “Big T” trauma is part of the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, it is still vitally important to acknowledge and understand the impact and role that “little t” trauma plays in your life. In fact, “little t” trauma is part of why it’s so important that you’ve chosen a trauma-informed care provider. We know that trauma is not comparative. Despite the aforementioned categories that people sometimes use to describe trauma, actual “trauma” is not about the event. Trauma in it’s truest sense is actually about the impact of the event on you. The fact that there are so many things that are deeply stressful, if not traumatic, to us as individuals throughout our lives often goes unnoticed by those who don’t know how to look. When this internal stress isn’t acknowledged, it gets compounded by other issues you may be facing and can make your problems worse. Our thorough assessment and seasoned trauma-informed psychologists will ensure that you receive the compassionate and effective care that you deserve.

Why don’t you offer EMDR for trauma treatment?

EMDR is a treatment that was invented in the late 1980s that combines moving one’s eyes from side to side, processing trauma memories and making positive associations. Some have successful experiences with EMDR, while many others have unsuccessful or even harmful ones. It is important to note that the central critique of this therapy is that the mechanisms of change (i.e., the reasons why it is effective in decreasing PTSD symptomatology) are actually due to components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy inherent in the treatment, rather than the other more dramatic aspects of EMDR. These include exposure to the feared stimulus (trauma memories and emotions), reframing negative cognitions and establishing balanced or positive thoughts associated with the one’s ability to access the memory or the capability of handling the memory, behavioral relaxation skills, coping skills, and the therapeutic relationship.

In studies, it is shown to be better than no treatment at all, as are most therapies. However, it is not superior to actual Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, which are proven to be far more effective. For a now seminal article critiquing the scientific integrity of EMDR, we recommend reading this one in Scientific American.

Can you help me with other problems in addition to trauma?

Absolutely! We specialize in treating many things that are commonly associated with trauma and emotional stress such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and sleep disorders, burnout, chronic pain, grief, and relationship issues.

How do I know when I’m finished with trauma therapy?

The answer depends on your goals, symptoms, history, and the type of treatment being provided. Some evidence-based trauma therapies are designed as structured protocols with a more defined course of treatment, while other individuals benefit from longer-term work focused on more complex relational, developmental, or identity-related patterns.

We take treatment planning seriously. Therapy is not meant to be vague or directionless simply because every person’s healing process is different. Early in treatment, we work collaboratively to establish clear goals so that we understand where we are headed together and why. Throughout therapy, we regularly revisit those goals, monitor progress, and adjust treatment thoughtfully based on your needs, values, symptoms, and lived experiences.

While reducing PTSD symptoms, anxiety, panic, avoidance, or insomnia is important, meaningful recovery often involves something deeper: feeling more connected to yourself, more emotionally flexible, more present in relationships, and more able to engage with life in a way that feels intentional and fulfilling.

For many people, progress in trauma therapy includes:

• no longer organizing life around fear or avoidance,
• feeling safer in relationships,
• experiencing greater self-compassion,
• reconnecting with joy, meaning, or purpose,
• sleeping more consistently,
• responding rather than reacting emotionally,
• and feeling more grounded in daily life.

Our goal is to help you become skilled and strong so that you can graduate from therapy. We aim to help you build insight, skills, resilience, and confidence so you can move through life with greater freedom, compassion, flexibility, and connection.