Trauma and PTSD Treatment
Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Adults in Oregon, Washington and Idaho
Trauma doesn’t always look the way people expect. Many of the people I work with are capable, accomplished, and still getting things done, while carrying the effects of something that never fully settled.
How Trauma Can Show Up
You may notice some of these, even years later:
- Memories, images, or nightmares that come back when you don’t want them to
- Avoiding people, places, conversations, or feelings that remind you of what happened
- Feeling on edge, easily startled, or unable to fully relax
- Guilt, shame, or self-blame about what happened
- Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from people you care about
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
You don’t need to be sure that what you went through “counts” as trauma to reach out. We can sort that out together.
Evidence-Based, First-Line Treatment for PTSD
I provide Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), two of the most thoroughly researched treatments for PTSD. Both are recommended as first-line treatments in the major clinical practice guidelines, including those of the American Psychological Association and the VA/Department of Defense.
Both are structured and time-limited. Rather than talking around the trauma indefinitely, we work toward clear goals, and you build skills you can keep using after therapy ends.
To read more about PTSD and how it is treated, see PTSD Treatment Basics from the VA National Center for PTSD.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT focuses on how trauma can change the way you think about yourself, other people, and the world. Together we identify “stuck points,” beliefs such as “it was my fault” or “I can’t trust anyone,” that keep PTSD going, and work toward a more balanced and accurate view.
CPT pays particular attention to safety, trust, power and control, self-esteem, and intimacy. It is often completed in about 12 weekly sessions, with short practice assignments between sessions.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
PE helps you gradually and safely approach the memories, situations, and feelings you’ve been avoiding. Avoidance makes sense in the short term, but over time it keeps fear in place and makes life smaller.
With support, you revisit the trauma memory and step back into avoided parts of daily life at a pace we plan together. PE typically takes 8 to 15 weekly sessions.
What to Expect
We start with an intake and assessment to understand what you’re experiencing and what you want to change. Then we decide together whether PE, CPT, or another approach is the best fit for you.
Treatment is collaborative. I’ll explain each step, check in about how it’s going, and adjust as we go. Many people are surprised by how much can change in a relatively short course of focused work.
Trauma therapy is available in person in Beaverton and by telehealth for adults throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho. I’m in network with United, Aetna, Regence and other plans. See insurance and rates.
Ready to Talk About Next Steps?
A free phone consultation is a good place to start. You don’t need to share details of what happened to get started.