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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.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
LGBTQIA+, Behavioral Issues, Men’s Issues, Self Esteem, Sex Therapy, +10 more

As a multi-ethnic black woman and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I understand various perspectives from racial issues, trauma, sexuality, LGBT, and milit... As a multi-ethnic black woman and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I understand various perspectives from racial issues, trauma, sexuality, LGBT, and military. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, +1 more

69 more therapists available in Virginia

Give us a call to schedule your next appointment, or browse through our full list of available providers.

Kelly Conner

Hear from Kelly Conner, Counselor (Resident In Counseling)

View Kelly Conner's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping children and families with PTSD/trauma therapy is trauma-focused CBT. I see the best benefit in TF-CBT because it helps children and families cope and process trauma.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I teach the following tools in trauma therapy: psychoeducation, parenting skills, relaxation skills, identification and regulation of emotions, cognitive coping, trauma narration, and processing, to name a few.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in trauma therapy when the client and family are having less distress in their lives and when they start enjoying activities again.

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

Clients can supplement their time in trauma therapy by learning appropriate coping skills and how to express and talk about their emotions appropriately.

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

To prepare for their first session, someone can be familiar with the term “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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA (Great Neck)—Trauma and PTSD Therapists

Have you ever been in an abusive relationship? Have you lived through a natural disaster? Do you have a history of being bullied in grade school? These are traumatic experiences that can have long-term effects on your life. By definition, trauma is a disturbing or distressing experience. And it can change life as you know it.

It is important that victims of trauma get the help and support that they need, especially if they exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you are a victim of trauma, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Virginia Beach, VA (Great Neck) to schedule a trauma therapy appointment. We have therapists that specialize in helping people who have experienced trauma. These professionals have helped many trauma victims cope with their PTSD symptoms, process their experience, and ultimately live better. Give us a call at (757) 347-3155 when you’re ready to schedule an appointment.

What Are PTSD Symptoms?

As we briefly explained above, trauma is a disturbing or distressing experience, of which often has a psychological impact on the individual. Examples of trauma include physical assault, mental or emotional abuse, surviving a natural disaster, losing a loved one, getting bullied, and so on. Those who experience a traumatic event often struggle to function normally; for example, they fail to focus at work or school, or they become distracted in conversations with others.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be diagnosed if an individual presents specific symptoms for at least a month, post-trauma. The main symptoms of PTSD are:

  • The individual has nightmares or flashbacks to the traumatic experience, which causes significant distress
  • He or she avoids going places and doing things that might trigger bad memories
  • The individual has difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and/or becomes irritable

Victims of trauma might feel disconnected from reality, lose interest in the things and people they care about, and even engage in dangerous behavior. Additionally, they might feel guilty, fearful, or angry. The symptoms vary from person to person.

How Does Trauma Therapy Work?

Trauma therapy is designed to help trauma victims process their experience and remedy the psychological damage it has caused. The ultimate goal is to assist clients in reaching a happy place again and being able to function normally.

As with the trauma and PTSD symptoms, trauma treatment can vary as well. The type of treatment that is right for you will depend on your needs! However, there are a few common approaches:

  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT)
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Psychodynamic therapy

Schedule Trauma Therapy at Thriveworks Virginia Beach, VA (Great Neck)

Have you witnessed a disturbing or distressing event that just stuck with you? Do you think you could benefit from working with a trauma therapist or PTSD therapist? Consider working with a trauma or PTSD therapist at Thriveworks Virginia Beach, VA (Great Neck). We have therapists who specialize in helping people who have experienced trauma as well as those who have gone on to develop PTSD symptoms.

If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, just give us a call at (757) 347-3155. We will have flexible scheduling options for you to choose from, including evening and weekend sessions. Additionally, we accept most major insurance plans. Keep these benefits in mind, and reach out to us if you have any questions. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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 Virginia Beach therapists and counselors accept 28 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 Virginia Beach
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 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I really like my therapist Patricia Colby. She is so easy to talk to, and has a flexible schedule. She is understanding and really puts you at ease.
Read more I really like my therapist Patricia Colby. She is so easy to talk to, and has a flexible schedule. She is understanding and really puts you at ease.
Danielle Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
John McAnulty is by far the best counselor that I have ever experienced. He is kind, compassionate and caring. He heard every word I would say and gave me so many tools that I use to this day to cope with my past struggles. He takes his time to not only listen, but to respond in the most caring way. I will forever be grateful for all he did for my family and I.
Read more John McAnulty is by far the best counselor that I have ever experienced. He is kind, compassionate and caring. He heard every word I would say and gave me so many tools that I use to this day to cope with my past struggles. He takes his time to not only listen, but to respond in the most caring way. I will forever be grateful for all he did for my family and I.
Virginia Beach Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
John McAnulty is a compassionate and caring counselor. Very understanding. I highly recommend him to anyone.
Read more John McAnulty is a compassionate and caring counselor. Very understanding. I highly recommend him to anyone.
Virginia Beach Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve known John McAnulty for several years now. He is a compassionate man and is extremely skilled in putting you at ease in the very first meeting. He helped my husband (and myself) through a very rough time. I am forever grateful to him
Read more I’ve known John McAnulty for several years now. He is a compassionate man and is extremely skilled in putting you at ease in the very first meeting. He helped my husband (and myself) through a very rough time. I am forever grateful to him
Virginia Beach Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
John was so kind and compassionate . He thoroughly helped me walk through my grief issues in a sensitive and kind manner . I was so grateful for his caring a and compassion at such a very trying Time
Read more John was so kind and compassionate . He thoroughly helped me walk through my grief issues in a sensitive and kind manner . I was so grateful for his caring a and compassion at such a very trying Time
Virginia Beach Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
John has not only been my counselor for many years but a true friend. He has great empathy for others especially people suffering from substance abuse. I have had hundreds of hours of counseling over the years and John would be my unequivocal top pick.
Read more John has not only been my counselor for many years but a true friend. He has great empathy for others especially people suffering from substance abuse. I have had hundreds of hours of counseling over the years and John would be my unequivocal top pick.
Virginia Beach Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
It is very easy communicating with John McAnulty. He is empathetic and nonjudgmental. His understanding nature allows a peaceful sense of gratification.
Read more It is very easy communicating with John McAnulty. He is empathetic and nonjudgmental. His understanding nature allows a peaceful sense of gratification.
Virginia Beach Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
John McAnulty is extremely compassionate. I couldn't of asked for a better counselor. He really helped put my mind at ease. I just wanted to Thank him again.
Read more John McAnulty is extremely compassionate. I couldn't of asked for a better counselor. He really helped put my mind at ease. I just wanted to Thank him again.
Virginia Beach Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Virginia Beach is located at the intersection of Old Great Neck Rd and Kenstock Dr. We currently share the building with Chesapeake Bay Realty and across the street you will find Dominion Insurance Group and the Animal Vision Center of Virginia.

Phone number

(757) 520-1312

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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