What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?

Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to a distressing or disturbing event, like an accident, abuse, or a natural disaster. It’s normal to feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed after a traumatic experience, but these feelings usually improve with time and support. PTSD, on the other hand, is a mental health condition that can develop when someone doesn’t fully recover from trauma. It involves ongoing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders, or feeling constantly on edge. Unlike trauma, PTSD significantly interferes with daily life and may require professional treatment to heal.

How do I know if I am dealing with Trauma?

Common signs include feeling constantly anxious, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing sleep disturbances or nightmares, and avoiding reminders of the event. You might also notice that everyday tasks feel harder, or that you’re withdrawing from people or activities you once enjoyed. These feelings are a natural response to a challenging experience, but if they persist or interfere with your daily life, it might be time to seek support.

What happens in trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a safe, supportive space where we work together to help you process and heal from your experiences. We’ll start by understanding what you’ve been through and how it’s impacting your life. From there, we’ll use proven techniques, like EMDR, PE, and CPT to help you confront and reduce the emotional weight of traumatic memories. You’ll learn practical tools to manage triggers and build resilience, so you can regain control over your thoughts and emotions. The goal isn’t to relive your trauma but to help you feel stronger and more at peace in your daily life.

Trauma Therapy

Trauma Therapist in Newport News

And Virtual Through All of VA

Helping those in Newport News who feel trapped by trauma and overwhelming memories so they can reclaim peace, rebuild trust, and regain control of their lives.

Free 15-min Consultation

The Pain of Living with Trauma

Every day feels like a battle you didn’t sign up for. Trauma leaves you feeling unsafe in your own mind. You might avoid certain people or places, or feel a constant sense of dread without knowing why. These feelings can feel isolating, like no one else understands what you’re going through.

As your trauma therapist, I understand how heavy this can feel. You’re not weak for feeling this way. Trauma changes how your mind and body react to the world. The good news is, with the right support, things can get better.

Benefits of Working with a Trauma Therapist

Find Peace of Mind

Learn how to calm your thoughts and stop reliving painful memories.

Emotional Strength

Develop skills to face challenges and feel confident in your ability to handle them.

Reclaim Your Life

Take back the control that trauma has stolen, so you can live the life you deserve.

Free 15-min Consultation

What a Trauma Therapist Does to Help You Heal

Trauma therapy is about helping you process what happened and reduce the grip it has on your life. It’s not just about talking—it’s about using proven techniques that help your mind and body feel safe again.

As a trauma therapist, I specialize in methods like Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches are research-backed and effective for reducing symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related struggles. PE helps you gently face the things that scare you most, while EMDR helps you process past trauma and break the emotional link that keep you stuck in pain.

Studies have shown that trauma therapy can lead to long-term relief, with many clients seeing significant progress in just a few months. You don’t have to relive every detail of your trauma for therapy to work—it’s about creating a space where healing feels possible.

A woman in a floral dress and glasses is standing next to a palm tree.

Why Work with Me as Your Trauma Therapist in Newport News

I’m Katherine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 12 years of experience helping people recover from trauma. I’ve worked with individuals who’ve felt like there was no way out of their pain, and I’ve seen them find relief through targeted, evidence-based approaches.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on what works for you.

Whether it’s working on specific fears or breaking down patterns of avoidance, every step we take will be tailored to your needs. I’m here to guide you through the process, so you never feel like you’re facing this alone.

More About Me

How The Trauma Therapy Process Works

Free Consultation

Start with a no-pressure call where we’ll talk about your goals and how therapy can help.

Personalized Plan

In the first session, I’ll get a clear picture of your symptoms and what’s important to you. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan for therapy.

Ongoing Sessions

We’ll create a plan together based on your specific challenges and what you want to achieve.

What Trauma Therapy Can Do for Your Future

Freedom from Fear: Stop avoiding places, people, or activities because of what happened.

Renewed Confidence: Feel capable of handling life’s challenges with strength and clarity.

A Sense of Peace: Wake up each day without the constant weight of trauma holding you back.

Free 15-min Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy

Curious about what therapy for trauma looks like? Here are answers to some of the most common questions to help you feel more confident about taking the next step.

What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to a distressing or disturbing event, like an accident, abuse, or a natural disaster. It’s normal to feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed after a traumatic experience, but these feelings usually improve with time and support.

PTSD, on the other hand, is a mental health condition that can develop when someone doesn’t fully recover from trauma. It involves ongoing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders, or feeling constantly on edge. Unlike trauma, PTSD significantly interferes with daily life and may require professional treatment to heal.
How do I know if I am dealing with Trauma?
Common signs include feeling constantly anxious, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing sleep disturbances or nightmares, and avoiding reminders of the event.

You might also notice that everyday tasks feel harder, or that you’re withdrawing from people or activities you once enjoyed. These feelings are a natural response to a challenging experience, but if they persist or interfere with your daily life, it might be time to seek support.
What happens in trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy is a safe, supportive space where we work together to help you process and heal from your experiences. We’ll start by understanding what you’ve been through and how it’s impacting your life. From there, we’ll use proven techniques, like EMDR, PE, and CPT to help you confront and reduce the emotional weight of traumatic memories.

You’ll learn practical tools to manage triggers and build resilience, so you can regain control over your thoughts and emotions. The goal isn’t to relive your trauma but to help you feel stronger and more at peace in your daily life.

Take the first step toward a brighter, healthier future today.

You’ve already taken the hardest step by searching for help. As your trauma therapist, I’m here to support you and guide you toward healing. Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s begin this journey toward feeling safe, strong, and whole again.

Free 15-min Consultation