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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

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

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Sue McCray

Hear from Sue McCray, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Sue McCray's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people with PTSD/trauma therapy is to use a trauma-focused CBT approach. I feel it is important to have a gentle approach to PTSD because of the sensitivity involved with trauma. I allow my clients to guide how intensive the therapy sessions are with mindfulness around the touchiness of the subjects discussed.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I teach the following tools in PTSD/ trauma therapy:

  • Mindfulness
  • Emotional regulation
  • Grounding
  • Coping skills
  • Relaxation techniques

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy when the client has a decrease in symptoms via their self-report, a noticeable increase in functioning, and the ability to discuss trauma subjects with a decreased negative emotional response.

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

Clients can supplement with time in PTSD/trauma therapy by:

  • Journaling
  • Reading “The Body Keeps the Score”
  • Spending time relaxing in nature
  • Practicing mindfulness
  • Working through a PTSD workbook

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

To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, someone can write down what they would like me to know about the experiences that have impacted them and what my clients have done thus far to cope with the trauma.

Starting Trauma therapy

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on treating the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals. Trauma therapy helps people process and heal from their trauma by guiding them through their trauma in a compassionate and supportive way, allowing clients to feel the full scope of what happened to them and eventually move on from the event(s). This process helps people who have experienced trauma find ways to feel safe in their lives.

How does trauma therapy work?

Trauma therapy will often require individuals to walk through their experiences in a controlled and compassionate setting (unless the client has a dissociative disorder) so that they can fully process the event, an activity that will allow them to move on from what happened and feel safe again. Thriveworks Norfolk therapists will also help clients learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms outside of therapy.

Is trauma therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks trauma counseling in Norfolk, VA is conducted both in person and online through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does trauma therapy last?

If an individual is working through a single event that occurred during adulthood, they may only need a few months of treatment. However, in instances of childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events, therapy may continue over the course of years. Trauma therapy usually ends when the client believes they have met their therapeutic goals, however long that takes to occur. Thriveworks therapists in Norfolk, VA will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.

Need more help deciding?

Trauma Therapy in Norfolk, VA — Trauma Therapists and PTSD Counselors

An abusive relationship is just an example of what a traumatic experience is. Maddie’s experience shows just some of the ways in which an abusive relationship can affect you during and after you’ve broken up. Trauma is associated with an event or experience that causes someone severe psychological distress. Like in Maddie’s case, it can also leave you struggling to move on.

If you are a victim and survivor of trauma, consider working with a trauma therapist at Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling. We have therapists, counselors, and psychologists who specialize in helping people heal from their traumatic experiences. We want to help you get back to a healthy, happy, and more successful version of yourself. If you are ready to get started, just give us a call.

What to Expect in Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy is designed to create a safe and open place for clients to talk with their therapist, counselor, or psychologist. The process is often difficult because you will be sharing your thoughts and emotions associated with the traumatic event in your life. Trauma therapists and PTSD therapists have the same goal in mind: They want to help you heal and/or gain closure from your trauma.

Your Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling trauma therapist will guide you in opening up about your trauma, processing it, exploring your emotions, and coping with symptoms. Some common symptoms associated with trauma and PTSD include:

  • Flashback
  • Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, hypersomnia, and nightmares
  • Self-destruction
  • Hypervigilance
  • Emotional detachment
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Hostility
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability

The emotions you have may develop quickly or slowly. It all depends on your unique situation and the experience you had. Regardless, your therapist will work with you to process these difficult emotions safely and as slowly as you need. Let us help you navigate this journey.

How Can a Trauma Therapist or Psychologist Help Me?

As we just mentioned, we understand that every person’s situation is unique. That’s why your therapist will help you make important progress in healing from your past experiences and move forward at a pace that feels right to you. In addition, your therapist will help you:

  1. Identify your trauma and understand the psychology of trauma
  2. Open up and express your feelings related to your experience
  3. Better manage your symptoms associated with your trauma or PTSD
  4. Learn new tools and skills for coping and controlling your moods
  5. Feel happy and excited about life once again

In order to achieve these goals, your therapist may use a variety of different methods and techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the more common methods used to help people in their healing journey. It allows the person to correct any harmful thought patterns and process their feelings related to the incident. Specific strategies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure are just a few examples.

Get Started with a Trauma Therapist at Thriveworks Norfolk, VA

Trauma, regardless of the specific event, makes living your normal life very difficult. Don’t wait any longer to press play on the life you want. Let us help you start enjoying life again.

To get started, give us a call at (757) 317-4315 and a scheduling specialist will set you up with an appointment that fits your schedule. You can also schedule your appointment online through our booking portal. We offer our clients evening and weekend sessions in addition to our normal daytime hours. Also, we have online counseling available because we understand that sometimes it’s hard to find the time to get into a session.

We look forward to hearing from you soon and starting this journey of healing together.

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 Norfolk therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Norfolk
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

Thriveworks Norfolk has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Virginia.

4.5 Thriveworks Norfolk reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Norfolk is located on Hampton Blvd, near the intersection with Redgate Avenue and the Midtown Tunnel. The building is nestled between the Elizabeth River and the historic Ghent residential district, just down the street from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Phone number

(757) 280-4736

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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