Therapy for Trauma & PTSD/CPTSD Using EMDR

Trauma can affect how you think, feel, relate to others, and experience your body. Sometimes the effects show up right away; sometimes they surface later or become more noticeable during periods of stress or change. You don’t need to have a particular diagnosis or be sure that what happened “counts” as trauma to seek support.

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What is Trauma?

Trauma is an experience (or series of experiences) that overwhelms your ability to cope or feel safe. It can include a single event, such as an accident, assault, medical emergency, or sudden loss, or ongoing experiences such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, bullying, or chronic instability.


People respond to trauma in different ways. You might notice changes in your emotions, beliefs, relationships, or sense of safety without having PTSD or CPTSD. You also don’t need to use the word trauma or have a diagnosis to talk about how an experience is affecting you.


An experience does not have to meet someone else’s definition of “serious enough” for its effects to matter. And experiencing trauma does not automatically mean you will develop PTSD or CPTSD. These terms describe different things: trauma refers to an experience and its effects; PTSD and CPTSD describe patterns of symptoms that can develop after trauma.


Trauma-related distress may show up as:

  • Feeling unsafe or on guard even when you are not in immediate danger
  • Avoiding situations, people, or feelings that bring up difficult memories
  • Feeling emotionally overwhelmed, shut down, numb, or disconnected
  • Struggling with trust, boundaries, closeness, or asking for help
  • Carrying shame, guilt, self-blame, or beliefs that you are broken or powerless
  • Noticing physical stress responses, such as tension, a racing heart, nausea, or feeling frozen
  • Feeling that past experiences are shaping your choices or relationships now

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event. It involves a particular pattern of symptoms that causes significant distress or makes parts of daily life harder. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and symptoms can begin soon after an event or become noticeable later.


A sound, smell, place, date, or interaction can sometimes act as a reminder. Your body may respond with alarm even when you know that you are in the present and not in the original situation. Avoiding reminders may bring short-term relief, but can also make it difficult to feel more freedom in daily life.



PTSD symptoms are often grouped into four areas:

  • Intrusion: Unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or intense emotional and physical reactions to reminders
  • Avoidance: Trying to stay away from thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities connected to what happened
  • Changes in thoughts and mood: Persistent fear, anger, shame, guilt, self-blame, feeling detached, or losing interest in things that used to matter
  • Changes in alertness and reactivity: Feeling on guard, easily startled, irritable, tense, or having difficulty sleeping or concentrating


What is CPTSD?

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a term for a pattern that includes the core symptoms of PTSD along with ongoing difficulties in areas such as emotion regulation, self-concept, and relationships. It may develop following prolonged or repeated trauma, particularly when escape or safety was difficult, but a person’s history alone does not determine whether CPTSD is the right description.


Along with re-experiencing, avoidance, and feeling on guard, CPTSD may involve:

  • Difficulty managing emotions: Emotions may feel intense, hard to settle, or difficult to identify. Some people instead feel numb or shut down.
  • A painful view of yourself: You may carry persistent shame, guilt, or beliefs that you are unworthy, damaged, or responsible for what happened.
  • Relationship difficulties: Trust, closeness, boundaries, conflict, or asking for support may feel especially difficult or unsafe.
  • Feeling disconnected: You may feel distant from other people, your emotions, or your sense of who you are.


Around 70% of people worldwide experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime.

Learn More About PTSD from the World Health Organization

Common questions about therapy

  • How do I know if therapy is right for me?

    You do not need to be in crisis for therapy to be helpful. Many people start therapy because they feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or tired of repeating the same patterns. Therapy can provide support, insight, and practical tools to help life feel more manageable.

  • What can I expect during the first session?

    The first session is focused on getting to know you, understanding what has been going on, and discussing what you hope to get out of therapy. We will also talk about your history, current concerns, and goals for treatment. There is no pressure to share everything immediately; therapy is a process, and we move at a pace that feels comfortable.

  • How often will we meet?

    Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build consistency and momentum in therapy. Depending on your needs and goals, sessions may later become biweekly or adjusted over time.

  • How long does therapy take?

    There is no “right” timeline for therapy. Some people benefit from shorter-term support focused on specific concerns, while others prefer longer-term therapy for deeper emotional work and ongoing growth. The length of therapy depends on your goals, symptoms, and what feels most helpful for you.

  • What types of therapy do you use?

    I use evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, ERP, IFS, ACT, CBT, and DBT. Therapy is individualized, meaning we will work together to find the approach that best fits your needs and goals.

  • Do I need to know exactly what’s wrong before starting therapy?

    Not at all. Many people come to therapy knowing they are struggling but not fully understanding why. Part of the process is helping you better understand your emotions, patterns, stressors, and experiences in a supportive and collaborative way.

  • What if I have trouble opening up?

    That is completely okay. Many people feel nervous starting therapy or struggle with vulnerability, especially if they are used to handling things on their own. Building trust takes time, and there is no expectation to immediately share everything all at once.

  • Is therapy confidential?

    Yes. Therapy is confidential, meaning what you share in sessions stays private except in specific situations required by law, such as safety concerns involving harm to yourself or others, abuse, or court-related requirements. Confidentiality and its limits will be reviewed during the intake process.

  • Do you offer virtual therapy?

    Yes. I provide virtual therapy for clients located in North and South Carolina, as well as in-person sessions in SouthPark Charlotte, NC.

  • Do you accept insurance?

    I currently accept Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I can also provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your insurance plan.

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