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What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to deeply distressing or disturbing experiences that can leave lasting effects on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. These can include physical or sexual abuse or assault, accidents, natural disasters, witnessing violence, loss or grief, medical trauma, and emotional or psychological abuse, as well as other experiences.

How Trauma
Can Affect You

If you have lived through trauma, you may experience a range of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can be distressing and disruptive to your life. These often include:

Intrusive memories

You might have flashbacks, nightmares, or recurring thoughts about the traumatic event.

Avoidance

You might find yourself steering clear of thoughts or memories about the trauma, as well as real-life reminders of the trauma such as specific places, people, or activities.

Negative changes in thinking & mood

You may feel detached or different from others, have negative thoughts about yourself, the world, or other people, or find it difficult to experience joy or pleasure.

Changes in emotional reactions

You might feel constantly on edge, experience irritability or anger outbursts, and have trouble concentrating.

How NYCBT Can Help

At NYCBT, we specialize in understanding the diverse impacts of trauma and providing personalized, effective therapies to help you recover and regain control over your life. Your therapist will work with you to explore and process distressing memories and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. As our approach emphasizes building resilience and fostering a sense of empowerment, you’ll also learn practical coping skills to manage your symptoms and help you regain a sense of control over your emotions and your life.
We use these approaches that are considered the “gold standard” in treating trauma and PTSD:

Cognitive Processing
Therapy (CPT)

CPT helps you understand and challenge inaccurate and unhelpful beliefs about yourself and the world following trauma. By exploring the meaning of the traumatic event and its impact, you can reshape your thoughts and reactions.

Prolonged

Exposure (PE)

PE aims to reduce the distress associated with memories of the traumatic event through gradual, controlled exposure to these memories as well as to reminders of the trauma. This approach helps decrease avoidance behaviors and fosters emotional processing and healing.

DBT PE

DBT PE is a specialized type of trauma treatment for people who struggle with multiple, severe, or complex problems, including those who are at high risk for suicide or self-harm. This approach integrates Prolonged Exposure therapy within the framework of comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

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Conjoint Behavioral Couples
Therapy (CBCT)

If you or your partner have PTSD or are recovering from trauma, this form of couples therapy focuses on improving communication, rebuilding intimacy, and addressing how trauma and PTSD impact your relationship dynamics, offering structured support tailored to your needs.

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