Trauma Treatment
Are You Living With Unresolved Trauma Or PTSD?
Do intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks cause you to re-experience traumatic events from your past?
Are you often hypervigilant or easily startled?
Do you avoid certain situations that might remind you of what happened?
A wide range of mental and emotional health concerns stems from unresolved trauma. Whether you survived something violent and dangerous or you sustained long-term neglect or abuse as a child, you may have developed trauma-related symptoms that, on the surface, appear related to other issues like anxiety and depression. For instance, if you are quick to fear or engage in worst-case-scenario thinking, it’s possible that an unprocessed event from your past is perpetuating a cycle of distress in your life.
If symptoms have become severe enough that they are affecting your work, relationships, and daily life, you may have developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is the result of acute, unresolved distress that remains “trapped” in the body, often presenting as physical symptoms like insomnia, trouble breathing, and muscle tension.
No matter your experience or the severity of symptoms, if you live with the adverse effects of trauma, you deserve to feel better. In treatment for trauma and PTSD at Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC, you can receive individualized care to help you function better and achieve a sense of peace.
What Is Trauma, And Who Is Affected By It?
Trauma is something that will impact all of us at some point or another. Defined as any situation that causes us to feel threatened, unsafe, or underprepared, many different kinds of experiences fall under the category of trauma.
There are “Big T” Traumas, which are characterized as major, life-altering, single-incident events in which our sense of security is severely compromised. Examples of Big T Traumas include:
- assaults
- attacks
- significant injuries
- military combat
- domestic violence
- other physically harmful situations.
However, “little t” traumas tend to be more widespread, as they stem from ongoing or accumulating stressors that cause a trauma response. These traumas include:
- any instance of childhood abuse and neglect
- prolonged illness
- the death of a loved one
- or witnessing community violence
In these cases, our sense of physical safety is not always compromised, but our sense of emotional safety is.
Many Civilians Live With PTSD
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “PTSD affects 3.6 percent of the U.S. adult population—about 9 million individuals.” Of those meeting the criteria for PTSD, 37 percent experience severe symptoms.
Unfortunately, our society often perpetuates the expectation that we should simply “get over” a traumatic experience because it happened in the past. Furthermore, there remains an outdated notion that PTSD is a diagnosis that only applies to military veterans. Such misconceptions minimize symptoms of PTSD in the general population, preventing those who suffer from receiving meaningful treatment and care.
The body’s trauma response can become so ingrained that symptoms affect us when we’re awake and asleep. Without ever getting a break from the reminders of what happened, we are likely to feel drained and discouraged.
Yet, treatment with a therapist or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) can be the gateway to overcoming symptoms of trauma for good. By receiving gentle counseling, trauma-informed therapy techniques, and psychiatric medication management services if appropriate, you can enhance your coping skills and feel better.
Treatment For Trauma And PTSD in Portland, OR
Living with unresolved trauma, you may not get many opportunities to feel safe and supported. Our trauma treatment approach is designed to be gentle and effective so that you no longer experience the effects of PTSD. Working together, we can foster a sense of calm and presence in your life.
What to Expect Working with a Trauma Therapist
Alongside proven coping and therapy techniques, treatment for trauma and PTSD at Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC may incorporate psychiatric medication management services with a PMHNP. Antidepressants have been shown to result in positive outcomes when treating symptoms of trauma and PTSD. However, your provider will take many factors into account—including family history and lifestyle—when determining the proper medications for you.
If you’ve lived with the lingering effects of trauma and PTSD long enough, you may not believe that relief is even possible. However, treatment can meaningfully address ongoing trauma-related symptoms, regardless of severity. Working together, you can feel safe and supported to be fully present in the moment instead of stuck in the past.
I thought PTSD was a condition that only affected war veterans.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can occur in anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Examples of traumatic events that result in PTSD include serious accidents, assault or abuse, natural disasters, and other life-altering incidents. Treatment is essential if PTSD symptoms have developed—no matter what the core trauma is.
I’m not the first or only person to experience this kind of trauma—why do I seem to be more impacted than other people?
Our ability to tolerate distress comes from a wide range of unique factors, so our response may look very different from someone who survived the same trauma(s) we did. PTSD symptoms often vary from person to person.
Nevertheless, treatment can help you increase your resiliency. By working with a therapist or PMHNP who will tailor the counseling and/or medication management process to your specific needs and experience, you will be able to build your unique coping toolkit for overcoming symptoms related to trauma and PTSD.
My trauma happened so long ago—why are my symptoms just coming on now? Or why am I still experiencing symptoms all these years later?
When trauma occurs, your brain uses many resources to protect you from emotional, mental, and physical pain. Because of this, PTSD symptoms may be delayed for years as the initial stress response wears off. In these instances, specific triggers may cause people to become aware of suppressed memories years after the traumatic event. Alternatively, symptoms can occur at the time of the trauma and develop into long-term PTSD, with symptoms remaining present for years after the event.
No matter your experience or the severity of your symptoms, individualized therapy and/or psychiatric medication management can greatly enhance your ability to cope with PTSD. Our providers will work closely with you to identify your needs and treatment goals so that we target your unique experience of trauma.
Commonly Asked Questions about Trauma Therapy & PTSD Counseling
How Do I Know If I Need Trauma Counseling?
You might consider trauma counseling if certain experiences—whether from long ago or more recent—still seem to shape how you respond to stress, relationships, or daily challenges. You may feel like you’re in survival mode more often than not, find yourself avoiding reminders of the past, or experience emotional ups and downs that don’t seem to match the situation at hand.
Even if you’re unsure whether what you went through “counts” as trauma, your emotional responses are valid. Many people seek help when they notice they’re unusually irritable, emotionally numb, or having trouble feeling safe—even in otherwise calm environments. Trauma counseling isn’t just for those with a diagnosis—it’s for anyone looking to feel more grounded and in control of their present.
What Type of Counseling Is Best for Trauma?
The best trauma counseling is one that honors your story, respects your pace, and integrates techniques that consider how trauma affects both the brain and body. Common evidence-informed approaches include:
Trauma-Focused CBT, which helps reframe distressing beliefs tied to traumatic experiences.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel so intense.
Somatic therapies, which focus on how trauma is held in the body and help you release it through movement, breath, or awareness.
At Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC, your therapist or PMHNP will work with you to find the approach—or combination of approaches—that feels most helpful. Our trauma-informed care is always personalized, and therapy may be paired with psychiatric medication support when appropriate.
How Do Therapists Heal Trauma?
Therapists don’t “fix” trauma—they help you understand how it’s showing up in your current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can relate to it differently. The healing process often begins with creating a sense of safety in the therapy space. From there, you’ll work at your own pace to understand how your mind and body have been protecting you, often in ways that no longer serve you.
Your therapist might support you in:
- Identifying triggers and patterns in how your trauma response shows up.
- Processing difficult memories without feeling re-traumatized.
- Building tools to stay present during stressful moments.
- Reconnecting with a sense of agency, self-worth, and emotional stability.
Over time, the goal is to help you feel more in control of your responses and more connected to the life you want to lead.
How Do You Break Out of the Trauma Cycle?
Many people find themselves caught in what feels like a loop—experiencing the same emotional patterns, survival strategies, or relationship dynamics over and over again. This is often the result of the nervous system trying to protect you from harm based on past experiences.
Breaking that cycle starts with awareness. Therapy can help you notice when your body is in a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. Once you start recognizing these states, you can begin to pause, reflect, and choose responses that reflect your present—not your past.
The process isn’t linear, and it’s not about “getting over it.” It’s about building your capacity to stay grounded when faced with reminders of what happened—so those reminders lose their grip on your daily life.
What Are Signs of Unhealed Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma can leave behind patterns that persist long into adulthood. Some signs may include:
- Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships.
- A tendency to blame yourself when things go wrong.
- Emotional outbursts or emotional numbness.
- Feeling like you’re always “on guard” or anticipating something bad.
- Chronic shame or a sense of being fundamentally flawed.
These experiences aren’t character flaws—they’re survival strategies that helped you cope with early stress. Therapy can help you understand where these responses come from and give you tools to soften their hold so you can relate to yourself and others with more compassion and ease.
Why Is Childhood Trauma So Hard to Overcome?
Because early life experiences shape how we see the world, ourselves, and our relationships, trauma during these foundational years can deeply influence emotional development. When trauma happens in childhood, the brain and nervous system adapt to help you survive. These adaptations—like shutting down feelings or scanning for danger—can become long-term patterns.
Overcoming childhood trauma involves gently working through both the emotional impact and the protective beliefs that were formed. Healing isn’t about going back in time—it’s about understanding how your past shaped you and learning how to feel safer in the present.
How to Heal From Childhood Trauma?
Healing childhood trauma often starts with recognizing that what you went through mattered—even if others dismissed it or you’ve tried to downplay it. From there, therapy can help you:
- Develop insight into how the past may be shaping current patterns.
- Process painful memories at a pace that feels manageable.
- Reconnect with your emotions in a safe, supported environment.
- Build healthier relationships with others—and with yourself.
This kind of healing can take time, but it’s possible. You don’t need to have all the answers to begin—you just need a willingness to explore what’s been difficult, and a space that feels safe enough to do so.
What Is the Difference Between PTSD and C-PTSD?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) typically stems from a single overwhelming experience, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster.
Common symptoms include flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, nightmares, and feeling “on edge.”
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) develops in response to prolonged or repeated trauma, often involving relationships—such as childhood abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. In addition to traditional PTSD symptoms, C-PTSD often includes:
- Difficulty with emotional regulation.
- Persistent negative self-image.
- Challenges in forming or maintaining relationships.
Both conditions are valid and treatable. At MMBH, we tailor care to your specific needs—whether you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, C-PTSD, or something in between.
Where Is Trauma Stored in the Body?
Trauma doesn’t just live in memories—it can take up residence in your body. You might experience:
- Tension in your shoulders, jaw, or stomach.
- Chronic fatigue or difficulty sleeping.
- Restlessness, shakiness, or feeling frozen.
- Difficulty taking full breaths or relaxing.
These physical sensations are not imagined; they’re signals from your nervous system that it doesn’t feel safe.
Trauma-informed care can help you listen to these signals, regulate your responses, and begin to feel more at home in your body again.
How Do I Know If I’m Suffering From Trauma?
Trauma doesn’t always come with a clear starting point or dramatic memory. It might show up as a general sense of unease, difficulty relaxing, or feeling emotionally stuck. You may have never considered your experiences traumatic, but if something inside you feels unsettled or unresolved, it’s worth exploring.
If your internal world feels heavy, unpredictable, or exhausting, trauma-informed therapy can help you reconnect with yourself and create a path forward that feels lighter and more manageable.
Find Relief From Trauma-Related Symptoms Today
Whether you’ve recently experienced trauma or have been struggling with its impact for years, our team is here to listen and support you. At Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC, our trauma treatment is tailored to address symptoms of trauma and PTSD through proven therapy approaches and/or psychiatric medication management.
- To get started with one of our therapists or PMHNPs, schedule an appointment today or call (207) 316–2609 if you have any questions.
- Learn more about trauma and PTSD by exploring the blog posts written by our therapists.
- Begin your path toward relief, resilience, and renewed well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Practice
Sessions are conducted primarily online via telehealth. If you are interested in meeting with a provider in-person, please contact our office at (207) 316-2609 to discuss availability for in-person sessions.
- In general, we accept:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem, Premera, Regence, etc.)
- CareOregon/Health Share of Oregon
- Cigna
- First Choice Health
- Kaiser Access PPO
- PacificSource
- Providence
- That said, the insurances our providers work with can vary from provider to provider. To learn what insurances a provider accepts, please visit their About page or contact our office at (207) 316-2609. In addition, we recommend that you check with your insurance company prior to initiating services to ensure we are in-network and to determine your patient responsibility for sessions. If at any time we discover we are not in-network with your insurance, you will be responsible for the full costs of all sessions (past and future).
- We do not accept Medicare.
- We do not work with EAPs.
- In addition to the accepted insurances listed above, our services are available to self-pay clients and those with out-of-network benefits.
For individuals using insurance to cover appointments, the cost of appointments is determined by each insurance’s contracted rates with our organization. Thus, the cost of appointments may be notably different than the cost of appointments for individuals who are self-pay. Furthermore, the cost of appointments may vary from session to session depending on several factors to include the length of the appointment and the complexity of the appointment. If you plan to use insurance, our office can provide a better estimate of costs once you provide your insurance information. Please contact us at (207) 316-2609 if you require further assistance.
For individuals who are self-pay:
Rates vary depending on type of service (therapy vs. medication management) and length of session. Please contact our office for additional information.
Payments are completed through our patient portal. Payments can be made using major credit/debit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, etc.) as well as FSAs and HSAs.
Our policy is to collect payments before rendering services. However, we cannot always predict the cost of sessions in advance because services and length of sessions may vary from appointment to appointment. For clients using insurance, you will likely be responsible for either a co-pay or for paying the full costs of sessions until your deductible is met. Please ensure you fully understand your insurance benefits to prevent future billing concerns.
Regardless of your insurance status and payment method, we will always be as up-front with you as possible about the cost of treatment.
We have therapists with immediate availability. To schedule an intake assessment with one of our therapists, please visit our scheduling page.
To inquire about medication management services with our PMHNP, please contact our office at (207) 316-2609.
Clients must cancel or reschedule appointments at least 48 hours before their appointment. If appointments are not canceled or rescheduled with at least 48 hours’ notice, or if clients do not show to their appointment, they will be charged a late cancellation fee of $150. To ensure we treat all clients consistently and ethically and to be respectful of our providers’ time, we must enforce our late cancellation and no-show policy. Fees incurred for late cancellations and no shows are out-of-pockets expenses. They cannot be billed to insurance.
Other Services We Offer in Portland, OR & Surrounding Areas
We offer a variety of services to support your mental health and overall well-being. In addition to trauma therapy, our team of experienced mental health professionals provides care for bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety counseling. We’re dedicated to creating a compassionate, judgment-free space where you can process your experiences and begin to heal. For those who may benefit from an integrative approach, we also offer medication management to ensure your treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs. Whatever you’re navigating, we’re here to walk alongside you with support and care.