The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include: Flashbacks and distressing memories of the traumatic event, Nightmares and sleep disturbances, Intense anxiety and irritability, Avoidance of reminders of the trauma, Negative changes in mood and thought patterns, Increased arousal, like difficulty concentrating or exaggerated startle response

What is your go-to approach for PTSD/trauma therapy?

My therapeutic approaches for helping people in PTSD and trauma therapy include narrative therapy, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and art therapy. I believe that people are the greatest experts in their own stories and have witnessed profound healing and empowerment when clients are supported in using writing, art, and imagination to reshape their emotional relationships with past experiences.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I use the expressive arts in PTSD/trauma therapyâprimarily visual art, but also creative writing, music, play, and dance/movement when these forms of expression and healing resonate with clients. I also use trauma-focused cognitive behavioral strategies and solution-focused approaches when supporting clients seeking short-term treatment for specific trauma responses.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I believe meaningful progress can look wildly different from person to person and is best defined by the client. That said, I would consider the following to be signs of meaningful healing: increased comfortability talking about or engaging with topics, people, or places related to the trauma; increased sense of emotional or physical safety; increased sense of confidence or independence; decreased feelings of shame, guilt, or fear related to trauma; decrease in suicidal ideation or safety concerns; and increased ability to identify and utilize effective coping skills to soothe trauma responses.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy?

Clients can effectively supplement their therapeutic PTSD/trauma work by journaling about their emotions and experiences. Journaling as part of PTSD/trauma therapy can help clients identify relational, thought, or emotional patterns, as well as increase self-compassion and recognition of healing. Increasing self-care routines is another important opportunity for clients to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy workâit can feel artificial at first, but it becomes a powerful act of self-love and support over time and is incredibly effective toward long-term healing.

What should someone do to prepare for starting PTSD/trauma therapy?

Clients may prepare for PTSD/trauma therapy treatment by identifying friends and family who are part of their support system, journaling or beginning to use a mood tracker app, and thinking about possible goals for treatment to share with their therapist. Sometimes, clients realize which preparations could have been helpful after they begin treatment. I support revisiting those actions or temporarily changing the pace or depth of treatment if it helps the client feel more prepared/readyâit is all part of the greater therapeutic process. Healing is not linear!

Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer PTSD & trauma therapy in Cambridge, MA

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Counseling approaches & specialties

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) ADHD therapy Anger management therapy Anxiety therapy Christian counseling Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Depression counseling Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) Eating disorders EMDR therapy Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) Grief & loss counseling Humanistic therapy Insomnia therapy LGBTQIA+ counseling Life transitions counseling Motivational interviewing Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy (OCDT) Person-centered therapy (PCT) Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) Strength-based therapy Stress management therapy Trauma/PTSD therapy
Our Providers
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Cambridge, MA therapy

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Common approaches to Trauma/PTSD therapy

Starting Trauma/PTSD therapy

What is PTSD/trauma therapy?

At Thriveworks, Trauma/PTSD therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.

How does PTSD/trauma therapy work?

Our Thriveworks providers use Trauma/PTSD therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:

Flashbacks and distressing memories of the traumatic event
Nightmares and sleep disturbances
Intense anxiety and irritability
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
Negative changes in mood and thought patterns
Increased arousal, like difficulty concentrating or exaggerated startle response

How do you overcome PTSD triggers?

The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.

What type of therapist is best for PTSD?

In most cases, a therapist who specializes in Trauma/PTSD therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.

Is PTSD/trauma therapy conducted in person or online?

PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long should you go to therapy for PTSD?

If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.

How successful is therapy for PTSD?

The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual’s symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.

Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Insurance options

Self-pay costs

Our Massachusetts therapists and counselors accept 31 insurance plans

Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)
Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS
Carelon
Cigna | Evernorth
Cigna | Evernorth EAP
Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage
Compsych
Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage
First Health Network

Self-pay costs at Cambridge

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Thriveworks Cambridge reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.

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★★★★★

I have been working with Melissa Bryant for more than a year. I feel that over time our therapy sessions have been extremely beneficial for me. I intend to continue working with Melissa for the foreseeable future. She’s a peach!

Read more I have been working with Melissa Bryant for more than a year. I feel that over time our therapy sessions have been extremely beneficial for me. I intend to continue working with Melissa for the foreseeable future. She’s a peach!

Cambridge Jun 2021