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Discover how starting therapy with a Trauma/PTSD can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Laura Burlingame Lee

Hear from Laura Burlingame Lee, Psychologist (Psychologist)

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

My preferred approaches in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and brief exposure therapy accompanied by self-regulation training because these interventions have consistently demonstrated excellent results, not only in my practice, but also in the PTSD treatment outcome literature.

My go-to approach for working with PTSD/trauma therapy is to first establish trust. Because people who have been traumatized often struggle with trusting others, creating safety and trust are essential. Beyond that, I will use reprocessing, CBT, and/or IFS techniques to help.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

Along with brief exposure, I teach clients self-regulation skills including grounding, mindfulness meditation, square breathing, and deep muscle relaxation.

For working with trauma/PTSD, I teach how to recognize safety (or feeling “safer”), how to relax the body, how to counteract thoughts of being in danger or of being unsafe if not accurate in the here and now, and how to make a conscious choice to trust others who have shown themselves to be safe.

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

During treatment, I repeatedly administer self-report measures such as the “PTSD Checklist - DSM-5-TR” to assess all principal PTSD signs and symptoms. In this way, my client and I have documented evidence of their improvement in therapy.

I know a client is making meaningful progress in trauma/PTSD therapy when they report a reduction in intensity and frequency of trauma symptoms, increased ability to cope with and come to terms with triggers and the events that caused the trauma, and reduced reactivity to triggers and other reminders of the traumatic event(s).

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

Clients can supplement their work in my office by taking all medications as prescribed, eating well, maintaining a consistent sleeping routine, and avoiding alcohol and other mind-altering substances.

Clients can supplement their PTSD/trauma therapy sessions by reading about recovering from trauma and by keeping track of frequency/intensity of triggers as well as what helped them manage or reduce reaction to the triggers/reminders.

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

For their first PTSD/trauma session, clients should bring a commitment to honesty and the willingness to work hard.

To prepare for the first session working with PTSD/trauma, clients can take time to write down (as is tolerable) what happened that led to PTSD/trauma symptoms, what symptoms they experience and how intense they get, and what has helped/not helped them in the past.

Starting Trauma/PTSD therapy

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.

Our Meridian therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross of Idaho | BCBS

  • BrightPath

  • BrightPath Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Meridian
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

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

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Thriveworks Meridian reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I have been meeting with Matt for almost 2 years now, and he's helped me get in touch with myself and understand who I am, as well as provided great tools to apply to my life for future improvement and coping. I have benefited greatly from my regular meetings with Matt and I can't speak highly enough about him as a counselor and psychological mentor.
Read more I have been meeting with Matt for almost 2 years now, and he's helped me get in touch with myself and understand who I am, as well as provided great tools to apply to my life for future improvement and coping. I have benefited greatly from my regular meetings with Matt and I can't speak highly enough about him as a counselor and psychological mentor.
Meridian Jan 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Meridian is located at 26 S Baltic Pl Suite 150, Meridian, ID 83642, off E. Franklin Rd.

Phone number

(208) 504-1377

Languages spoken by ID providers

  • English
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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