Trauma-focused Treatment

PTSD & Trauma Treatment

Trauma can leave you feeling on edge, disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer make sense. You may be avoiding reminders of what happened, reliving the event in your mind, or feeling like your body is constantly bracing for danger.

PTSD is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign that your nervous system has been pushed beyond what it could handle. The good news is that PTSD is highly treatable, and several evidence‑based therapies can help you regain safety, confidence, and control.

I offer three gold‑standard treatments for PTSD: Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Trauma‑Focused CBT (TF‑CBT). Each approach is effective, and we’ll work together to determine which one best fits your needs

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged Exposure was developed by Edna Foa, Ph.D. to treat symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The treatment, commonly used in cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on teaching individuals how to confront situations, feelings and memories related to trauma. By confronting trauma-related stimuli, you can decrease your PTSD symptoms.

PE therapy has four components:

1. Imaginal Exposure: gradual exposure to traumatic memories in session by repeatedly talking and thinking in detail about what happened to you.

2. In-vivo Exposure: gradual exposure to situations, objects, or people you've been avoiding because they remind you of your trauma.

3. Psychoeducation: general information regarding symptoms of PTSD and factors that maintain PTSD symptoms.

4. Breathing retraining: breathing strategies for the management of anxiety

Research has found that PE is highly effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. In fact, studies have found that the treatment improves symptoms of PTSD in 80% to 90% of people who complete it.

If you are wondering if PE is the best treatment approach for you, feel free to reach out and schedule a phone consultation. I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have!

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a structured, cognitive‑behavioral treatment that focuses on how trauma changes the way you see yourself, others, and the world. After trauma, people often develop “stuck points” — rigid beliefs like “I should have stopped it,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “I’m permanently damaged.”

CPT helps you:

Identify and challenge trauma‑related beliefs
Reduce guilt, shame, and self‑blame
Develop more balanced, flexible ways of understanding what happened
Rebuild a sense of safety, trust, power, and control

CPT is especially helpful when the trauma has led to strong cognitive or emotional reactions such as shame, self‑criticism, or beliefs about vulnerability and danger.

Trauma‑Focused CBT (TF‑CBT)

TF‑CBT is an evidence‑based treatment for children, teens, and their caregivers. It integrates cognitive‑behavioral strategies with trauma‑sensitive interventions to help young people process what happened and regain a sense of safety.

TF‑CBT includes:

Psychoeducation for both child and caregiver
Skills for managing anxiety, anger, and trauma reminders
Gradual processing of the trauma memory
Parenting strategies to support healing at home
Strengthening communication and connection

TF‑CBT is highly effective for youth who have experienced abuse, accidents, medical trauma, community violence, or other overwhelming events.

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Each of these therapies is effective, but they work in slightly different ways. During our initial sessions, we’ll discuss:

Your symptoms
Your trauma history
Your goals
What feels manageable and safe for you

Together, we’ll choose the approach that best fits your needs and your nervous system. I’m here to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward healing. Contact me directly at 631-319-0942 or via e-mail (admin@drcecilyportillo.com) for further information.