Therapy For Trauma in St. Louis, MO
Trauma can leave an indelible mark on an individual's psyche. Those who have endured traumatic events may find themselves haunted by persistent, distressing memories and emotions. This could manifest as hypervigilance, a constant feeling of being on edge, or emotional numbness. Individuals often struggle with intrusive thoughts that disrupt their daily routines, making it difficult to maintain relationships or perform at work. Trauma can also result in physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, and a weakened immune system, further complicating an already challenging situation.
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Most people have heard the term fight, flight, or freeze when talking about trauma. This is how our body responds when faced with traumatic events. Unfortunately, those who experience symptoms of trauma continue to have this response when faced with situations that remind them of the traumatic event.

The most minor thing can trigger you and bring you right back to that horrible moment in time.
These flashbacks cause intense anxiety, fear, and anger. The nightmares make it hard to sleep. Your emotions are all over the place. You never know when something will set you off and how you will react, but it doesn’t feel good afterward. Being around people is overwhelming. You worry about something terrible happening again, constantly feel on guard, and easily startle around loud sounds or people getting too close to you.
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It’s hard to trust others, so you keep to yourself and push them away. You start avoiding things that trigger you, hoping it will improve things. It doesn’t. Your world is just smaller. Plus, now you miss the things you don’t do but are even more afraid of doing them. This isn’t the life you want.
But there’s hope. Trauma can be effectively treated! By starting to look for a therapist, you are taking a massive step towards improving your mental health! At GBHC, our therapists have worked with many people who are also processing trauma and helped them break through the pain and hopelessness!
Recognizing the Need for Therapy
Determining the need for therapy can sometimes be difficult, especially when coping mechanisms seem sufficient. However, if you find that memories of the traumatic event are overwhelming and persistent, affecting your ability to live a normal life, it may be time to seek professional help. Indicators include feelings of intense fear, anger, or sadness that do not subside, avoiding people or places that remind you of the trauma, and experiencing flashbacks or nightmares. When these symptoms interfere with your ability to function day-to-day, professional therapy can provide the necessary support.
Why Seek Therapy
Therapy offers a structured approach to processing and healing from trauma. It's an opportunity to understand and manage the profound impact that traumatic experiences have on your mental health. Professional therapists can help you navigate the complex emotions tied to your trauma and work through the psychological barriers that it creates. Seeking therapy is not just about managing symptoms; it's about reclaiming control over your life and breaking free from the constraints that trauma imposes.
What Should I Expect From Therapy?
When you start trauma therapy at GBHC, the journey begins with an in-depth evaluation. This initial stage is crucial as it allows the therapist to understand your unique experiences and tailor the treatment accordingly. During therapy sessions, you will be encouraged to talk about your traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled environment. This process may involve various therapeutic techniques designed to help you process these memories without becoming overwhelmed.
The Therapy Process
Trauma therapy can include a range of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, and other therapy options. These methods are designed to help you confront and integrate traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge. Therapy will also focus on developing coping strategies to handle everyday triggers and stressors, promoting stability and safety.
Therapy Can Only Benefit You
Engaging in trauma therapy offers profound benefits. It helps reduce the intensity and frequency of trauma-related symptoms, allowing for better emotional regulation and overall mental health. Therapy supports the development of healthy coping mechanisms, which can alleviate stress and improve resilience. Additionally, working through trauma in therapy can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and foster stronger, more supportive relationships. Over time, many individuals find that they are able to return to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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Do you offer both virtual and in-person sessions?Yes. Our office offers sessions in St. Louis and virtual therapy services across Missouri.
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Do you have evening and weekend availability?At this time, we do not offer weekend appointments. We have a limited number of evening slots. Please contact our office to inquire about availability if you need an evening time. Preference for evening availability is given to current clients, so if you can start with daytime appointments, you will have first availability when evenings become available.
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Do you accept insurance?We have therapists who accept Anthem BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR insurance plans. Please contact our office to see which therapist have availability and accept your health insurance. Dr. Ritchie does not accept any insurance. The cost of sessions varies for each insurance plan. We recommend contacting your insurance to determine if you need to meet your deductible or if there is a copayment/coinsurance for services.
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With what age ranges do you work?We work with people 13 years and older for therapy. We offer assessments for people three years and older.
If you are ready to address the impact of trauma in your life, the next steps are straightforward. Contact GBH Consultants to schedule a free phone consultation. This first meeting is an opportunity to discuss your experiences and outline your therapy goals. Following this, a thorough assessment will be conducted to create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your specific needs.
Once your treatment plan is established, you will begin regular therapy sessions aimed at providing continuous support and progress monitoring. Your therapist will help you navigate through the complexities of trauma recovery, making adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary to ensure effective outcomes.
Next Steps in the Therapy Process