Trauma is defined not by the event itself, but by your experience of it. Any event perceived as life-threatening or overwhelming — from major events like assault, accidents, or natural disasters to experiences like discrimination, loss, or even significant life transitions — can be traumatic. If you find yourself experiencing persistent anxiety, emotional numbness, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, or avoidance of certain places or topics, these may be signs that a past experience is affecting you. You don’t need to have a specific diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed care. If something from your past is impacting your present life, that’s reason enough to seek support.

Both conditions share similar symptoms — including intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and heightened reactivity — but they differ primarily in duration. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed when symptoms persist for at least 3 days and up to one month following a traumatic event. If symptoms continue beyond one month, the diagnosis may shift to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Early intervention through trauma-informed therapy can be extremely beneficial — the sooner someone receives therapeutic support after a traumatic event, the better the outcome is likely to be.

No — trauma-informed therapy does not require you to recount every detail of your traumatic experience. While processing the trauma is often an important part of healing, the pace and depth of that work is always guided by you. Your therapist will help you build coping skills and establish a sense of safety before any deeper exploration occurs. Some modalities, like EMDR, can help process traumatic memories without requiring detailed verbal recounting. The goal is never to re-traumatize, but to help you develop a new relationship with your experiences so they no longer control your daily life.

The length of therapy varies for each person and depends on several factors: the nature and complexity of the trauma, your personal goals, how long the issues have been present, and your individual pace of healing. Some people may experience significant relief within a few months of focused work, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy — especially when addressing complex or developmental trauma. We regularly check in about your progress and goals, ensuring that therapy continues to serve your needs. There is no “right” timeline for healing.

We use a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. These include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess traumatic memories; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and restructure unhelpful thought patterns; Somatic Experiencing, which addresses how trauma is stored in the body; and Psychodynamic Therapy, which explores how past experiences shape current patterns. Our therapists are trained in multiple modalities and will work with you to determine the best approach — or combination of approaches — for your unique situation.

Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship and is protected by law. Your therapist adheres to strict ethical guidelines regarding the privacy of your information. What you share in session stays between you and your therapist, with limited exceptions required by law — such as situations involving imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or when child abuse is disclosed. Your therapist will discuss these boundaries with you at the beginning of treatment, so you understand exactly how your privacy is protected.

Your first session is focused on building connection and understanding — not diving straight into trauma work. You’ll meet with your therapist, who will take the time to get to know you, your background, and what brings you to therapy. You’ll discuss your goals, ask any questions you may have, and begin establishing the sense of safety and trust that is essential to trauma-informed care. The most important factor in this initial phase is creating a safe space where you feel heard and respected. There is no pressure to share anything you’re not ready to discuss.

Absolutely. Trauma-informed care is beneficial for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, attachment issues, and more. Many of these challenges have roots in past traumatic experiences, even if you don’t initially connect them to trauma. Because this approach looks at the whole person and their history, it can uncover and address underlying patterns that other approaches might miss. Whether or not you identify as a “trauma survivor,” if past experiences are affecting your present well-being, trauma-informed care can help.

Cultural sensitivity is embedded in the trauma-informed approach. We recognize that trauma does not exist in a vacuum — it is shaped by social, cultural, historical, and systemic factors. Racial trauma, discrimination, generational trauma, and the effects of systemic oppression are all acknowledged and addressed in our work. Our therapists are committed to ongoing cultural competency training and strive to create an inclusive, affirming space where your identity, background, and lived experience are respected and valued. Healing looks different for everyone, and we honor that diversity.