Trauma Therapy

Most people will go through something traumatic in their lifetime whether it was an event or a specific experience that shakes their sense of safety, trust, or control. For some, the effects of trauma are immediate and obvious. For others, the impact shows up more gradually through trouble sleeping, sudden mood shifts, difficulty connecting with others, or a sense that something just isn’t right. Even when the event is in the past, its emotional footprint can remain.

Trauma looks different for everyone. If something you’ve been through is making it harder to function or feel like yourself, therapy can help. At Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Assessment Associates (CBTAA), we specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments to help people overcome traumatic experiences and regain control.

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What is Trauma?

Trauma is the emotional and physiological response to an overwhelming event or series of events. These experiences may threaten your physical or emotional safety, or they may simply exceed your capacity to cope in the moment. Trauma can come from a single, clearly defined incident, or it can build slowly over time, shaped by repeated exposure to harm, stress, or instability.

It’s not the event alone that determines whether something is traumatic, it’s how that experience is processed and remembered. Two people can live through the same situation and walk away with completely different emotional realities. Trauma is deeply personal. Some people feel the effects immediately. Others may not recognize the full impact until months or years later. In either case, the experience can affect your thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and sense of self.

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Types of Trauma We Treat

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 70% of people globally will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime. At CBTAA, we work with people across the full spectrum of trauma, whether it stems from a single event or the gradual buildup of experiences that have become too heavy to carry.

You don’t need a specific label or diagnosis to begin healing. Many people come to us unsure of where they fit, and that’s absolutely okay. Whether you’re feeling stuck after something recent or still processing events from years ago, we’ll work together to understand what’s going on and develop a treatment plan that supports your healing.

Even if your experience doesn’t fit neatly into one of the categories below, it still matters. If something in your past is making it harder to feel safe, connected, or at ease today, trauma-informed therapy can help.

Acute Trauma: The impact of a single overwhelming event, like an accident, assault, or natural disaster.

Chronic Trauma: Long-term exposure to distress, such as ongoing emotional abuse, neglect, or unstable living environments.

Complex Trauma: Repeated or layered traumatic experiences, often beginning in childhood and involving close relationships.

Developmental Trauma: Early disruptions in caregiving, emotional safety, or attachment that continue to affect emotional regulation and relationships.

Relationship Trauma: Harm caused by toxic dynamics, emotional manipulation, abandonment, or domestic violence.

Medical Trauma: Emotional distress stemming from serious illnesses, invasive procedures, or extended medical treatment.

Identity-Based Trauma: The lasting mental health effects of systemic racism, discrimination, or marginalization based on gender, sexuality, or cultural identity.

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How Trauma Affects Mental Health

The effects of trauma aren’t always straightforward. While some people develop clear signs of a trauma-related disorder, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), many others experience a range of emotional and behavioral symptoms that don’t fit neatly into any one diagnosis. That doesn’t make them less real or less important to treat.

Trauma can influence the way you interpret situations, manage stress, or interact with others. You might find yourself avoiding certain places or people, feeling overly alert or irritable, or withdrawing emotionally from your relationships. You may have trouble sleeping, concentrating, or trusting others. Sometimes trauma leads to more internal symptoms—like shame, self-blame, or chronic self-doubt. Other times, it manifests in outward behaviors, such as substance use, impulsivity, or difficulty managing anger. In many cases, trauma contributes to other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, attachment challenges, and emotional dysregulation.

It’s also important to note that trauma can contribute to or overlap with many other mental health conditions. These can include depression, anxiety, attachment challenges, emotional dysregulation, and beyond. Even when there is no formal diagnosis, trauma often leaves a lasting imprint on your nervous system, your relationships, and your sense of identity.

The good news is that with the right support, those patterns can be understood, managed, and changed. Therapy creates a space to untangle how trauma has affected you and to begin building new ways of coping, relating, and moving forward.

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Recognizing the Signs of Trauma

Many people live with the effects of trauma for years before recognizing what they’re going through. You might feel constantly on edge, unsure why you’re so reactive to certain situations, or exhausted from trying to hold everything together. Others describe feeling numb or disconnected, like they’re watching life happen from the outside in.

You may notice changes in your sleep, mood, or appetite. You might avoid things that once brought you joy, or isolate yourself from friends and family. You might struggle to relax, even in safe environments, or feel like something bad is always about to happen. Sometimes trauma shows up in physical symptoms like chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal distress, with no clear medical explanation.

These responses are not signs of weakness. They are your mind and body’s way of trying to stay safe. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and create new ones that support your well-being, rather than keeping you stuck in survival mode.

Not All Trauma Leads to PTSD—But It Can Still Disrupt Your Life

There is a common misconception that only people with PTSD need trauma therapy. You might not have flashbacks or nightmares. You might function well at work or school. But that doesn’t mean your experience isn’t valid, or that you wouldn’t benefit from support.

The presence or absence of a diagnosis doesn’t determine whether your pain matters. If you’ve been through something difficult and it’s affecting how you feel, how you relate to others, or how you move through the world, therapy can help.

How Therapy Helps with Trauma

Trauma therapy creates a structured and supportive space to understand what you’ve been through, and how it’s affecting your present life. A skilled therapist helps you notice patterns, regulate emotions, and build healthier coping strategies, all while honoring your pace and your goals. The aim is not to relive painful experiences but to gain clarity, control, and confidence in how you respond to them.

For many people, therapy offers something they haven’t had before: a consistent, nonjudgmental space where they don’t have to hide what they’re feeling or pretend they’re okay. Through this process, therapy helps reduce anxiety, increase self-awareness, and rebuild a sense of safety within yourself and your relationships.

How Does CBT Treat Trauma?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most research-supported methods for treating trauma. At CBTAA, we specialize in applying CBT to help clients reframe unhelpful thought patterns, reduce distress, and create long-term, meaningful change.

Trauma can cause you to develop beliefs like “I’m not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” CBT helps you examine those thoughts and develop more balanced, accurate alternatives. Through guided exercises, reflection, and skill-building, you’ll begin to shift the lens through which you view yourself, others, and the world.

Depending on your symptoms and needs, your therapist may also integrate techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, behavioral activation, and exposure-based methods. These approaches are all rooted in the CBT framework, designed to help you process your experiences safely and effectively.

What are the 6 Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care is guided by six foundational principles:

1. Safety: Ensuring physical and emotional safety for clients and staff.
   
   
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust through clear and consistent communication.
   
   
3. Peer Support: Incorporating shared experiences to promote recovery.
   
   
4. Collaboration and Mutuality: Emphasizing partnership and leveling power differences.
   
   
5. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Prioritizing client autonomy and strengths.
   
   
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Recognizing and addressing cultural, historical, and gender-related factors.

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What to Expect in Trauma Therapy

We begin with a thoughtful intake process to get to know your history, goals, and concerns. You don’t have to know exactly what’s wrong, or even be sure whether trauma is the right label. That’s what we’re here to help with.

Early sessions often focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship and creating a sense of emotional safety. This may involve learning strategies to stay grounded, recognize emotional triggers, and manage stress in healthier ways. From there, we gradually explore the deeper layers of your experiences—never before you’re ready, and always with your input and consent.

Trauma therapy doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all script. Some people benefit from short-term treatment focused on specific symptoms, while others do more in-depth work over time. Our clinicians tailor each treatment plan to what will be most effective and sustainable for you.

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How to Find the Right Therapist for Trauma Therapy in NYC

Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your trauma recovery. You want someone you feel safe with—someone who understands what you’ve been through, respects your pace, and has the expertise to help you move forward.

We recommend looking for clinical experts who:

• Specialize in trauma and use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or trauma-informed CBT
  
  
• Have experience working with clients who share aspects of your background or identity, such as age, cultural experiences, or the type of trauma you’ve faced
  
  
• Offer a therapy style that feels collaborative, respectful, and nonjudgmental
  
  
• Take the time to understand your history and create a plan that reflects your specific needs and goals

CBTAA treats clients across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Our offices provide a warm, welcoming space for in-person therapy, and we also offer fully remote sessions for clients who prefer virtual care.

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Trauma Therapy That Fits You

Beginning trauma therapy can feel like a big step, and it is. You don’t have to have it all figured out to start.

What sets CBTAA apart is the quality of our treatment. Our therapists are deeply trained in evidence-based practices and supported by a collaborative clinical team that brings decades of shared insight to each case. From the very beginning, you’ll be cared for by a team that’s committed to doing things the right way, for you.

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, we offer personalized and evidence-based care for children, teens, and adults. Book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our Clinical Coordinations and they will match you with a therapist who best fits your needs and goals.

Explore Our Full Range of Trauma-Related Services

Looking for support with a specific trauma-related concern? CBTAA offers specialized treatment across a range of related conditions and diagnoses. Learn more about:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  
  
• Acute Stress Disorder
  
  
• Childhood Trauma
  
  
• Complex Trauma
  
  
• Developmental Trauma
  
  
• Medical Trauma
  
  
• Grief and Traumatic Loss
  
  
• Relationship or Attachment Trauma
  
  
• Dissociation and Emotional Numbing
  
  
• Identity-Based and Cultural Trauma

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