Trauma & PTSD Recovery: Healing in a Safe Space

Offering in-person therapy for trauma & PTSD in Massapequa Park, NY
Offering online therapy for trauma & PTSD in New York
If you find yourself constantly on edge, struggling with intrusive memories, or feeling disconnected from the world around you, you may be experiencing the lasting effects of trauma. Trauma isn't just about what happened "to" you; it’s about how your nervous system has adapted to survive.

​We provide specialized, trauma-informed care designed to help you process the past, regulate your nervous system, and reclaim your sense of safety.

What is trauma?

Trauma can cause an emotional and physiological response to an event or series of events that are deeply distressing or life-threatening. It overwhelms the brain's ability to cope, often leaving the body in a state of "fight, flight, or freeze" long after the danger has passed.

When people hear the term "PTSD" or "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder", they often think that it can only apply to people who have been soldiers at war. However, this is not the case. Trauma, as defined in the DSM-V-TR, is the experience of actual or threatened death, or the experience of sexual abuse.

Trauma can also include things that do not fall within that description but still cause some of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Bullying at school or work, going through a divorce, or emotional/verbal abuse can fit a different description of trauma. In the world of therapy these are often referred to as "small t" traumas.

Whether your experience of trauma fits the DSM criteria or not does not change the way in which your therapist at Healing & Growth Counseling will consider your experiences and your therapy.

​The following is a list of different types of trauma that you or a loved one may have experienced:

Single Incident Trauma (Acute Trauma)

This results from a single stressful or dangerous event, such as a car accident, a natural disaster, a sudden medical emergency, or a physical assault. Even a one-time event can leave a lasting imprint on your mental health. Sometimes a one-time event can also open up old wounds that you may have thought were already healed.

Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)

Complex trauma stems from exposure to multiple, repeated, or prolonged traumatic events—often within a specific relationship or environment. This might include ongoing domestic instability, systemic oppression, or long-term medical challenges. It can also include living with or being in a relationship with a person who is physically, emotionally, and/or sexually abusive. Complex trauma often impacts one’s sense of self-worth and ability to trust others.

Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences

Trauma that occurs during the formative years—such as neglect, abuse, or the loss of a caregiver—can shape how the brain develops. Childhood trauma often resurfaces in adulthood as difficulty with emotional regulation or chronic "people-pleasing" as a survival mechanism.

Medical Trauma

For many in the disability community, medical trauma is a lived reality. This can include traumatic births, dismissive healthcare experiences (medical gaslighting), or the psychological impact of a life-altering diagnosis or surgery.

Secondary Trauma

You don’t have to be the primary person involved in an event to be affected by it. Secondary trauma occurs when you are frequently exposed to the traumatic stories or pain of others. This is common among:
  • Family Caregivers: Watching a loved one struggle with a chronic illness or the aftermath of a TBI.
  • Healthcare Professionals & First Responders: Those who witness medical emergencies daily.
  • The "Support System": Friends or partners of trauma survivors who "carry" the weight of their loved one's experience.
Symptoms often mirror PTSD, including feeling "on edge," emotional exhaustion, and a shifting worldview.

What therapy is best for trauma?

There is no "one size fits all" for healing, but evidence-based practices are essential for trauma recovery. We utilize specialized modalities that address how trauma is stored in both the brain and the body.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR is a gold-standard, evidence-based therapy specifically designed to treat PTSD and trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to help the brain "reprocess" traumatic memories. This allows the memory to be stored more adaptively, significantly reducing the emotional distress and physical "charge" associated with the past. For more information about EMDR, check out our EMDR Service Page here.

Trauma-Informed CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you identify the "stuck points" or negative beliefs you have developed because of the trauma. We work to gently shift these patterns to foster hope and resilience.

Somatic (Body-Based) Awareness

​Trauma often lives in the body as chronic tension or "unexplained" physical pain. We incorporate grounding techniques that help you reconnect with your body safely, allowing you to regulate your nervous system in real-time. This is particularly helpful for those navigating medical trauma.

Narrative Therapy

​This approach allows you to "re-author" your story. Instead of being defined by the events that happened to you, we help you integrate your experiences into a narrative of survival, agency, and strength.

Online Therapy in NY for Trauma

Online therapy in NY can be effective in treating trauma and PTSD. If you have a safe enough and comfortable enough space that is private to engage in your sessions, then it is possible to heal from your trauma and grow towards your goals without coming to a therapy office. Our online therapists are trained and experienced in providing online therapy for trauma and PTSD.

Our online therapists are able to use any of the treatment modalities described above to help you in working past your trauma. They will work with you to identify which modality, or modalities, would be best based on your current situation and symptoms.

Questions about Therapy for PTSD & Trauma?

Call us at (516) 406-8991. Speak with a therapist to answer your questions about therapy for trauma.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment for Trauma Therapy?

Fill out our Contact Form, or use our online portal to check availability in real time and request an initial appointment.