Trauma & PTSD Treatment

The best therapist for PTSD is someone who is specially trained in trauma-focused treatments. Look for a licensed therapist (like an LCSW, psychologist, or licensed counselor) who has specific training in evidence-based trauma therapies such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, or Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). What matters most is that your therapist understands trauma and uses proven methods to help you heal.

A trauma therapist is a regular therapist who has received special training to work with people who have experienced trauma. While all therapists can provide general mental health support, trauma therapists have learned specific techniques and approaches that are proven to help with PTSD, trauma reactions, and related symptoms. They understand how trauma affects the brain and body, and they know how to help clients heal.

For trauma, you'll want to find a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma treatment. This could be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW or LICSW), psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist – as long as they have training in trauma-focused therapies. The most important thing is that they use evidence-based treatments specifically designed for trauma and PTSD.

Trauma therapy typically costs between $175-$250 per 50-minute session on average. Some therapists charge less, others charge more based on their experience and specialization. ART sessions are typically 90 minutes long and cost $375 per session in my practice. While I don't directly bill insurance, I can provide you with a "Superbill" that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

There are several excellent trauma therapies that research shows work well. The "gold standard" treatments include Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and EMDR. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a newer, promising approach that often works faster than traditional methods – typically in 1-5 sessions instead of 8-15 sessions. The best therapy for you depends on your specific situation, preferences, and what feels most comfortable.

Both EMDR and CBT-based trauma therapies (like Cognitive Processing Therapy) are effective for treating trauma. EMDR often works faster and doesn't require as much talking about details of your trauma. CBT approaches help you understand and change trauma-related thoughts and behaviors. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) combines the best elements of both — it uses eye movements like EMDR but is more directive and often works even faster, typically requiring fewer sessions than either EMDR or CBT approaches.

The research-backed "gold standard" treatments for PTSD include Prolonged Exposure therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and EMDR. These have the most research support and are recommended by major organizations. However, these treatments can take 8-15 sessions and have higher dropout rates in real-world settings. That's where newer approaches like ART show promise – offering similar effectiveness but often in fewer sessions.

Choose a therapist who is licensed, has specific trauma training, and feels like a good fit for you personally. Consider practical factors like location, cost, and availability. Most importantly, trust your gut — you should feel safe and understood with your therapist.

LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This means the person has completed a master's degree in social work, completed supervised clinical training, and passed a licensing exam. LCSWs are fully qualified to provide therapy, including trauma treatment, and can diagnose mental health conditions. It's one of the most common licenses for therapists.

For anxiety, look for a therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is the most research-supported treatment for anxiety disorders. If your anxiety is related to past trauma, then a trauma specialist using approaches like EMDR or ART might be most helpful. The key is finding someone who understands anxiety and uses proven methods to treat it.

Avoid telling someone with PTSD to "just get over it" or "move on." Don't pressure them to talk about their trauma before they're ready. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that might startle them. Don't take their symptoms personally if they seem withdrawn or irritable. Instead, be patient, supportive, and encourage them to seek professional help when they're ready.

The most successful therapies for PTSD are trauma-focused treatments like Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and EMDR. Success rates vary, but these approaches help about 50-70% of people significantly reduce their PTSD symptoms. Newer approaches like ART are showing promising results with potentially faster timelines — often requiring fewer sessions while achieving similar outcomes.

While there's no instant fix for PTSD, some techniques can help in the moment: deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques (like naming 5 things you can see, 4 you can hear, etc.), progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness. However, lasting relief typically requires professional treatment. ART can often provide significant relief relatively quickly — sometimes in just a few sessions.

PTSD can be worsened by avoiding treatment, using alcohol or drugs to cope, isolating yourself from support, experiencing additional stressful events, and not taking care of your basic needs (sleep, nutrition, exercise). Certain anniversaries, locations, or reminders of the trauma can also temporarily worsen symptoms. This is why professional treatment is so important.

As a therapist, I don't prescribe medication, but I can share that certain antidepressants (particularly SSRIs like sertraline and paroxetine) are FDA-approved for PTSD. Medication decisions should always be made with a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor. Many people find that therapy alone is effective, while others benefit from combining therapy with medication.

Untreated PTSD often gets worse over time and can lead to other problems like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and physical health issues. It can affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life. The good news is that PTSD is very treatable – even if you've had symptoms for years, effective treatment can help you recover and reclaim your life.

A PTSD episode can vary from person to person, but common signs include flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again), panic attacks with rapid heartbeat and sweating, severe anxiety or fear, feeling disconnected from reality, angry outbursts, or suddenly becoming very withdrawn. Some people might freeze up and feel unable to move or speak. Episodes can be triggered by reminders of the trauma — certain sounds, smells, places, or situations. It's important to remember that these episodes are temporary, even though they feel overwhelming in the moment.