Trauma Therapy Approaches I Offer

Written Exposure Therapy

What Is Written Exposure Therapy?

Written Exposure Therapy is designed to help people reduce the lingering impact of traumatic or overwhelming experiences by gently and systematically working with the memories that continue to cause distress. It is a structured, time-limited treatment that typically takes place over 6-8 weekly sessions (45-50-minutes each), making it a good fit for people who want focused help without committing to open-ended therapy.

Written Exposure Therapy involves writing about a traumatic experience in a structured way. You’ll revisit and write about what happened, but this is done gradually, with support, and within a clear framework. Your therapist will help you understand how your experiences have affected you and will guide you through the process step by step.

You do not need to meet criteria for PTSD to benefit from Written Exposure Therapy. For people who have experienced multiple or complex traumas, working through one significant experience often has ripple effects, easing the impact of other related experiences as well.

How Effective Is It?

Research has shown Written Exposure Therapy to be effective in reducing trauma-related symptoms linked to a wide range of experiences, including childhood abuse, physical and sexual assault, accidents, medical trauma, combat trauma, and natural disasters.

Studies comparing Written Exposure Therapy to more time-intensive treatments have found it to be equally effective, with the added benefit that people are more likely to complete the full course of therapy because of its brief and manageable format.

What are the benefits?

Confronting your trauma memory with the support of a therapist can help you feel like a weight has been lifted. You may feel less restricted in your life, and less controlled by your memories. Many people begin to notice benefits during treatment and continue to see improvements long after treatment is over. Written Exposure Therapy can help decrease the number of trauma symptoms you experience and/or reduce the intensity of your symptoms. (You'll see a list of trauma symptoms, below.)

What are the risks?

You might feel some discomfort when writing about trauma-related memories, but I’ll be there to support you and we’ll make sure the work feels manageable. Most people feel better as they continue, and many people who complete Written Exposure Therapy find that the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort.

For more information about Written Exposure Therapy, visit: writtenexposure.com.

Trauma & PTSD: A Brief Overview

Trauma results from experiencing or witnessing a deeply distressing, disturbing, or life-threatening event (or series of events.) It results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have lasting negative effects on a person’s attitudes, behaviors, and overall functioning, as well as their mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual wellbeing. Trauma can stem from single acute events (like accidents) or prolonged exposure (like abuse or neglect.)

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other trauma-related symptoms can develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. People who have experienced trauma may feel stressed or afraid even when they’re no longer in danger, sometimes long after the danger has passed.

Trauma can look many different ways, and people respond differently to similar events. Examples of traumatic events include (but aren’t limited to):

childhood abuse
physical assault
sexual assault or abuse
domestic violence
serious accidents (like car accidents)
medical trauma
war and military combat
natural disasters
severe injury or sudden illness
emotional or verbal abuse
medical trauma
bullying
the sudden death of a loved one

If you’re unsure whether what you experienced qualifies as trauma, that’s understandable. What matters most is how it’s affecting you now, and we can talk it through (and whether this approach is a fit for you) during a brief consultation call.

Symptoms Trauma Therapy Can Help With

Trauma-related symptoms that Written Exposure Therapy can help with may include:

Re-experiencing—having intrusive, unwanted traumatic memories (including flashbacks or nightmares,) or feeling intense distress when reminded of the event. This can make the past feel like the present. Sometimes physical sensations accompany the memories, such as pain, sweating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling sick, or trembling.
Avoidance and Emotional Numbing—finding yourself avoiding places, people, or activities that trigger memories; trying hard to avoid thoughts or feelings related to the event; feeling emotionally numb or detached; lost interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Hyper-arousal (feeling “on edge”) & Reactivity—being easily startled or jumpy, feeling constantly on guard, being irritable or having angry outbursts, having difficulty concentrating, having trouble falling or staying asleep, or sometimes coping in ways that create problems over time (such as increased substance use or other risky behaviors).
Negative Thoughts & Mood—having negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world (e.g., "I am bad," "The world is dangerous"); having persistent feelings of fear, anger, guilt, or shame; having difficulty experiencing positive emotions like joy or satisfaction; feeling hopeless about the future or feeling isolated/alone; having trouble remembering key parts of the traumatic event.

Many people who have experienced trauma also struggle with concerns such as depression, anxiety, or phobias. Trauma can also contribute to physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, chest pain, or stomach aches. It also sometimes leads to problems at work and in relationships.

Not everyone with PTSD has directly experienced a life-threatening event. In some cases, learning that a close friend or family member experienced trauma can lead to PTSD symptoms.

If you’re unsure whether Written Exposure Therapy is a fit for you, we can talk through it during a brief consultation call.

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