Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Philadelphia

Understanding Trauma

Most people will experience some form of trauma during their lives. This may include events such as abuse or neglect by a significant other or caregiver, car accidents, the sudden loss of a loved one, exposure to violence, or natural disasters.

While many individuals recover over time with the support of a healthy community, others may experience lingering effects that interfere with daily life. Long after the event, trauma can lead to persistent emotional pain, fear, confusion, or symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

In these cases, the support and guidance of a trauma-informed therapist can be essential to healing.

Trauma Therapy at PCP

When it comes to trauma, that's our specialty and expertise. At Philadelphia Center for Psychotherapy, we have a combined experience of over 40 years in treating complex and acute traumas. Like most clinical issues, we view trauma from a whole-person perspective, paying attention to the details of how trauma has impacted virtually all aspects of every patient's life. We take our time to helping you understand the depth of your trauma, as well as how it might be showing up for you in your relationships, family, and sense of self. In addition to helping you cope with the symptoms of trauma, we work together to try and undo some of the negative experiences you've had as a result of your traumas, and relearn some things about yourself, others, and the world, in order to have a complete and long-lasting healing experience.

Common Trauma Symptoms

The DSM-5 outlines four key categories of trauma symptoms:

Avoidance Symptoms

• Avoiding places, people, or situations that trigger reminders of the trauma
• Emotional numbness, guilt, anxiety, or depression

Re-experiencing Symptoms

• Intrusive thoughts or memories
• Nightmares or flashbacks related to the trauma

Hyper-arousal Symptoms

• Irritability, anger, or hyper-vigilance
• Reckless or self-harming behavior
• Sleep disturbances and difficulty relaxing

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

• Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
• Difficulty recalling aspects of the trauma
• Shifts in behavior, mood, or worldview

What Is PTSD?

Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This could include war, natural disasters, serious accidents, assault, or other life-threatening events.

PTSD affects nearly four percent of U.S. adults and can impact anyone, regardless of age, background, or profession. While it is commonly associated with combat veterans, PTSD is experienced by people across all walks of life. Statistically, women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.

Effective Therapy for Trauma

Psychotherapy is widely recognized as the most effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. A range of therapeutic approaches can be used depending on your specific needs, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Our therapists draw from these and other evidence-based models to create a tailored approach for your healing process.

What Is Post traumatic Growth?

While trauma can be deeply painful, it can also lead to unexpected transformation. This process is known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). With the right support, individuals may experience growth in key areas such as:

• Personal relationships
• Life purpose and direction
• Emotional resilience and strength
• Spiritual beliefs or practices
• Appreciation for life

Therapy can help guide this growth, supporting you in moving not just toward recovery, but toward deeper insight, connection, and personal meaning.

Start Your Healing Journey

If you or someone you care about is experiencing trauma-related symptoms, we are here to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation and begin the path toward healing and renewal.