Trauma can reshape how a person thinks, feels, and moves through the world — affecting relationships, work, and daily life in ways that are hard to understand or explain. MindWell's licensed clinicians provide evidence-based trauma treatment for adults, adolescents, and children across New York and Vermont, specializing in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), tailored to each person's unique history and pace.
Understanding Trauma & PTSD
Trauma is not just what happened — it is what happens inside a person as a result. Traumatic experiences can fundamentally alter how the brain and body respond to stress, safety, and relationships.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms commonly include intrusive memories or flashbacks, heightened anxiety, avoidance of trauma reminders, difficulty sleeping, and a disrupted sense of safety or trust. These responses are not a sign of weakness — they are the nervous system’s attempt to protect itself.
With the right treatment, recovery is possible. Evidence-based therapies have a strong track record of reducing PTSD symptoms and helping people reclaim their lives.
Common Trauma & PTSD Symptoms
Intrusive Memories
People with trauma & PTSD often experience unwanted and distressing memories of the traumatic event. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional reactions when reminded of the trauma. Such intrusive memories can disrupt daily life and make it difficult to feel safe or at ease.
Avoidance Behaviors
Negative Mood Changes
Trauma & PTSD can cause lasting changes in mood and thoughts. Individuals may feel persistent sadness, guilt, shame, or hopelessness, and often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. These negative shifts can affect relationships and overall quality of life.
Heightened Reactivity
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms often accompany trauma & PTSD, such as headaches, stomach issues, or chronic pain. These symptoms are linked to the body’s stress response and can persist even when there is no immediate danger. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects is important for recovery.
Causes of Trauma & PTSD
Trauma & PTSD can result from experiencing or witnessing distressing events such as accidents, violence, abuse, or sudden loss. Not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, as factors like past experiences, genetics, and available support can influence risk. Understanding the root causes is an important step toward healing and seeking effective, compassionate care.
Effective Treatments for Trauma & PTSD
MindWell specializes in the most researched and effective evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD. Our clinicians are trained in multiple gold-standard approaches and work with each client to determine which treatment is the best fit for their history, symptoms, and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma often creates stuck patterns of thinking — beliefs like “I am not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “I can never trust anyone again.” CPT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that directly targets these trauma-related thoughts and helps clients develop a more accurate and balanced understanding of what happened and its aftermath.
- CPT focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs shaped by trauma, building skills to manage distressing thoughts and emotions, and processing the meaning of the traumatic experience in a way that reduces its hold on daily life. CPT is one of the most well-researched treatments for PTSD and has demonstrated strong outcomes across a wide range of trauma types.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
- Avoidance is one of the most common — and most limiting — responses to trauma. While avoiding reminders of a traumatic event may feel protective in the short term, it reinforces the brain’s message that those memories are dangerous and prevents natural recovery from occurring.
- Prolonged Exposure is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps clients gradually and safely confront trauma-related memories, situations, and feelings they have been avoiding. Through repeated exposure in a controlled and supportive environment, the nervous system learns that these reminders are not dangerous — and their power diminishes over time. PE has decades of research behind it and is considered one of the most effective treatments available for PTSD.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- When trauma occurs, the brain can store memories in a raw, fragmented way — which is why a memory from years ago can still feel immediate and overwhelming. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their emotional intensity and become integrated into the past rather than intruding on the present.
- EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — to engage the brain’s natural processing mechanisms while the client focuses on a traumatic memory. Over time, the emotional and physical charge attached to those memories is significantly reduced. Many clients experience meaningful relief more efficiently than with traditional talk therapy alone.
Finding the Right Fit
- No single treatment works the same way for every person. At MindWell, the first step is always a thorough clinical assessment to understand your history, symptoms, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. From there, your clinician will recommend the approach — or combination of approaches — most likely to be effective for you specifically. Throughout treatment, that plan remains flexible. If something isn’t working, we adjust. Our goal is not to fit you into a protocol — it is to find what actually helps you move forward.
Who Can Benefit From Trauma & PTSD Treatment
- Individuals struggling with distress after a traumatic event may benefit from treatment.
- Anyone experiencing intrusive memories, nightmares, or avoidance can seek support.
- People whose daily life or relationships are impacted by trauma symptoms are ideal candidates.
- Those ready to take steps toward healing in a supportive environment can benefit from care.
Benefits of Trauma & PTSD Treatment
Ithaca, NY - Stories
My experience with MindWell has been wonderful. The client coordinating team worked to ensure I met a therapist best suited for my needs, and the clinicians I have seen are caring individuals whose scientific based approach to mental health have helped me tremendously. MindWell has changed therapy for me, and I feel so fortunate to have them here in Ithaca.
- shoshana c.
The pandemic among other things put a strain on our marriage and finding out about MindWell was at the perfect time. After filling out online, we talked to an intake specialist and were matched with a therapist which we are both extremely happy with. It has been a positive experience and we are working everyday to better our relationship and it's because of MindWell that we now know we can make it.
- clara s.
My therapist at MindWell Psychology is an exceptionally skilled counselor. I have faith in her abilities and am convinced that she is able to put customers at ease and give them the impression that they are supported no matter what they are going through.
- robin s.
When our daughter started having some drastic behavior changes, we reached out to MindWell and after the initial intake; she was matched with someone and we are finally seeing some differences in her. She talks openly about how she enjoys going to therapy. So happy with her progress.
- addison b.
Albany, NY - Stories
I am a psychologist in MA and worked with/know personally several of the Psychologists at MindWell including, Christina Colgary, Lizzie O'Rourke, and Emilee Valler. They are remarkable clinicians and I have referred several people in NY to their practice. Highly recommend considering Mindwell for your or your child's therapy needs!
- Rachel M.
This is an overall fantastic and conscientious organization. My family's experience has been nothing but positive. Intake was smooth and scheduling is simple and organized. They were taking new patients which was already an uncommon feature! Our therapist was a perfect match and they were clearly well supported by Mindwell admins and management which allowed them to focus on giving their best.
- A M.
Burlington, VT - Stories
Mindwell has provided excellent in-person and on-line therapy services for members of my family for the last year. We cannot speak highly enough about the professionalism and care provided by the therapist, the patient care coordination team and the Mindwell management team. They have helped turned a difficult situation into something manageable and ultimately positive.
- sarah g.
Therapy at Mindwell has been professional and helpful. Their friendly office staff is a nice bonus!
- K M.
