Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Don’t let the past interfere with your present, CBT for PTSD & Trauma works.

Experiencing trauma is common. In fact, most people will experience at least one traumatic event at some point in their lives.

Often, with time, we are able to recover from the trauma we are presented with. In some instances though, we may need support and skills to recover. When trauma results in a person’s life becoming disrupted, the best thing they can do for themselves is seek professional and expert help.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective, evidence-based therapy that helps people who have experienced trauma or have been diagnosed with PTSD to reduce their symptoms of distress and improve their quality of life. The effects of trauma, including PTSD, are not something to be ashamed of - people don’t have to suffer or stay stuck in the past. In our practice, we utilize Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure and the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders. We are one of the few practices in the state to use multiple CBT interventions.

CBT Can Reduce or Eliminate Symptoms of PTSD and Trauma

For people who have experienced trauma or have been diagnosed with PTSD, the idea of therapy can be overwhelming. A common concern is that therapy for PTSD will be retraumatizing.

Instead, CBT for trauma and PTSD will help you to:

Make sense of your trauma by processing the experience(s) in a more helpful way

Gain skills to better handle negative thoughts, feelings and activating situations

Improve connections with the people and things you care about

Reduce the physiological and psychological symptoms of PTSD

CBT for trauma and PTSD is usually short term. While it is often initially uncomfortable in the beginning, most people begin to feel better within the first few sessions.

Types of Trauma that CBT Can Help With

CBT can help with various types of trauma, including but not limited to:

Sexual abuse/assault

Domestic abuse
Abuse or neglect
Witnessing a traumatic event
Hate Crimes
Medical trauma
Military trauma

Car accidents
Drug overdoses or witnessing one
Community violence
Effects of natural disasters
Displacement from home or being a refuge
Witnessing a terrorist act
Bullying or school violence

Recognizing PTSD

A PTSD diagnosis can only be made by a licensed professional following the guidelines of the DSM-5. The general criteria for PTSD includes:

an individual is exposed either directly or indirectly to a serious threat event
the event is persistently re-experienced through unwanted upsetting memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or other symptoms of emotional or physical distress
the person avoids thoughts, feelings, or situations that remind them of the event

the person has negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma
the individual is experiencing certain symptoms after the traumatic event, like irritability or aggression, risky or destructive behavior, hypervigilance, heightened startle reaction, difficulty concentrating and/or sleeping
symptoms last for at least a month and have a negative effect on one’s life
    

There is no need to endure PTSD on your own. PTSD does not have to get in the way of your enjoyment of life, negatively affect your relationships, or cause problems at work or school. There are excellent treatments that can help improve your quality of life - including CBT.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy FAQ

We offer both in person and virtual appointments. Our in person appointments currently take place at our Orlando, FL office.
Most clients pay for our services out-of-pocket. Please contact our office to verify your coverage. Even if we can’t see you at our practice, we are happy to connect you with additional resources. We feel it is our job and responsibility to help you find the help you need.
We generally schedule weekly, 45 minute appointments for therapy.
If you are interested in more intensive therapy we offer several options, which can include multiple sessions per week and can range from 60 to 90 minutes or longer.
Yes. As CBT clinicians we have a specific way of helping people, but we recognize that it's not the only way. If we feel another form of therapy outside of our scope of practice is helpful, we will refer you to our best resources.
If you want to incorporate other methods of helping or healing, we'll integrate that into your treatment or provide a referral to another provider.

Therapy Delivered With Respect, Empathy, and Compassion

We view all people as unique individuals who are doing the best they can to cope with the circumstances they are presented with. Although we are CBT specialists that help people manage their trauma and PTSD using the most current and effective treatments, we also recognize how privilege, power, unequal access to resources, prejudice, racism, and other systemic issues affect a person’s lived experience. We approach each relationship with the respect, empathy, and compassion that all people deserve.

Our practitioners have also received additional training and supervision in culturally competent practices, and continue to do so as part of participating in our group.