Trauma & PTSD

The majority of people will experience a traumatic event during their lives, and struggling in the aftermath of trauma is normal.

I view posttraumatic stress as a normal human reaction to a traumatic event. Unfortunately, in some cases, these stress reactions can persist and interfere with your ability to live the life that you want. In some situations, this can rise to the level of a diagnosable problem, which is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is not your fault, and with treatment, you have a very good chance of improving.

I have been working with trauma survivors for over fifteen years, including victims of sexual violence, domestic/partner abuse, military and law enforcement members (and their families), 9/11 first responders, and those who lost loved ones under traumatic and unexpected circumstances. Reaching out can be incredibly frightening, and I believe that people must have a choice in how they get better, and at what pace.

I am highly trained in several of the most research-supported treatments that exist for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, which are two types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specifically developed for survivors of trauma.There is significant research evidence that supports the effectiveness of these treatments in reducing symptoms of PTSD. However, these are not the only options, and for some people, they may not feel like the best fit.

Another form of psychotherapy which has been adapted for use with PTSD is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). IPT for PTSD has shown promising effectiveness in research studies, and does not require directly discussing or imagining the details of your traumatic experience. For some people, this feels more comfortable. I have expertise in IPT as well, and supervise psychiatric residents and predoctoral psychology interns who are learning to use this treatment.

Together, we will set personalized treatment goals and will decide what type of treatment will best meet your unique needs and preferences.

We will always proceed at a pace that feels comfortable, in order to decrease your symptoms, improve your overall functioning, and help you move forward.