Trauma-Focused Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy is a therapeutic approach specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma.
What Is Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Trauma-Focused Therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which trauma and its effects are an important part of the therapeutic process.
Rather than simply focusing on current symptoms, trauma-focused therapy can help you explore how traumatic experiences may be affecting your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and sense of safety.
Trauma-focused therapy can involve different evidence-based approaches depending on your individual needs, goals, and preferences.
The National Center for PTSD identifies trauma-focused psychotherapy as the most effective category of psychotherapy for PTSD, with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and EMDR among the approaches with strong research support.
Trauma-Focused Therapy at The Lighted Path
You don't have to let your past experiences define your future.
At The Lighted Path LLC, we provide compassionate, individualized therapy for New Mexico residents navigating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationships, and life transitions.
Our therapists take a collaborative approach to help you understand your experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and work toward meaningful change.
Insurances We Accept
- BlueCross and BlueShield
- GEHA
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Molina Healthcare
- Optum
- Oxford
-
Presbyterian
-
SUREST
-
UMR
-
UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
What Can Trauma-Focused Therapy Help With?
Trauma-focused therapy may be helpful for people experiencing:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Complex trauma
- Childhood trauma
- Abuse or neglect
- Sexual assault or interpersonal violence
- Domestic violence
- Accidents or serious injuries
- Grief following a traumatic loss
- Natural disasters
- Military or combat-related trauma
- Anxiety related to traumatic experiences
- Depression related to trauma
- Difficulty trusting others
- Relationship challenges
- Emotional or behavioral responses to trauma
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. However, persistent or distressing trauma-related symptoms can be a reason to seek professional support.
Meet our Trauma Focused Therapists
Britt Verstegen, LMSW, LSAA
Therapist | Online Only
Angelika Van Grinsven, MA, LPCC
Therapist | In-Person & Online
Francine Adair, MS, LCSW
Therapist | In-Person & Online
Emily Martin, M.A. Candidate
Therapist Intern | In-Person & Online
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Focused Therapy
What Is Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Trauma-Focused Therapy is psychotherapy that specifically addresses the effects of traumatic experiences. Treatment may help you process trauma, understand trauma-related thoughts and emotions, develop coping skills, and reduce symptoms associated with PTSD and other trauma-related difficulties.
How Does Trauma-Focused Therapy Work?
Trauma-Focused Therapy can use cognitive, emotional, and behavioral techniques to help individuals process traumatic experiences and their effects. Different approaches, including CPT, Prolonged Exposure, and EMDR, use different techniques to address trauma-related symptoms.
Who Can Benefit From Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Trauma-Focused Therapy may benefit people experiencing PTSD or difficulties related to traumatic experiences, including childhood trauma, abuse, accidents, violence, or other distressing events. A therapist can help determine whether a trauma-focused approach is appropriate for your needs.
Is Trauma-Focused Therapy Effective for PTSD?
Yes. Trauma-focused psychotherapies have strong research support for treating PTSD. Current clinical guidance identifies approaches such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and EMDR among evidence-supported treatments for PTSD.
