PTSD and Trauma
PTSD Therapy in Arlington, VA, Washington DC, Maryland & Throughout Virginia
Compassionate Trauma Therapy for PTSD, Childhood Trauma, and Difficult Life Experiences
Trauma can affect the way you think, feel, relate to others, and experience the world around you. Even years after a traumatic event, memories, emotions, and physical reactions can continue to impact daily life.
I provide PTSD therapy and trauma-focused psychotherapy for adults throughout Arlington, Virginia, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and across Virginia through secure telehealth services.
Whether you are struggling with the effects of childhood trauma, relationship trauma, military experiences, accidents, violence, grief, or other overwhelming life events, therapy can help you process what happened and move toward healing.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While many people recover naturally over time, others continue to experience symptoms that interfere with relationships, work, sleep, and emotional well-being.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
Intrusive memories
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Anxiety and hypervigilance
Difficulty relaxing
Emotional numbness
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
Irritability or anger
Sleep disturbances
Difficulty trusting others
Feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
Trauma affects people differently. Some individuals experience clear PTSD symptoms, while others struggle with chronic anxiety, relationship difficulties, emotional reactivity, or a persistent sense of disconnection without immediately recognizing the role trauma may be playing.
A Psychodynamic Approach to Trauma Therapy
Trauma is not only something that happened in the past. It often continues to influence present-day emotions, relationships, self-esteem, and coping patterns.
My approach is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which helps clients understand how past experiences continue to shape current emotional struggles.
Together, we may explore:
Childhood experiences and attachment patterns
Relationship trauma
Family dynamics
Unresolved grief and loss
Shame and self-criticism
Emotional avoidance
Difficulties with trust and intimacy
Repetitive relationship patterns
Rather than simply managing symptoms, psychodynamic therapy seeks to create deeper and more lasting change by addressing the emotional roots of distress.
Childhood Trauma Therapy
Many adults seeking therapy discover that current struggles are connected to experiences from earlier in life.
Childhood trauma can include:
Emotional abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Chronic criticism
Parental conflict
Emotional abandonment
Growing up in unpredictable or unsafe environments
Even when these experiences occurred years ago, they can continue to affect self-worth, relationships, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Therapy provides an opportunity to better understand these experiences and their ongoing impact.
Trauma and Relationships
Trauma often affects how people connect with others.
Individuals with a history of trauma may experience:
Difficulty trusting others
Fear of vulnerability
Emotional withdrawal
Intense relationship conflicts
Difficulty setting boundaries
Challenges with intimacy
Understanding these patterns can help create healthier and more secure relationships.
For clients working through trauma-related relationship concerns, therapy may include exploration of attachment dynamics, communication patterns, and emotional connection.
PTSD, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation
Many trauma survivors experience symptoms that overlap with anxiety, depression, anger, or chronic stress.
Trauma may contribute to:
Panic attacks
Persistent worry
Emotional overwhelm
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of emptiness
Chronic stress responses
Therapy helps clients develop a greater understanding of these reactions while building healthier ways of responding to emotional distress.
Who I Help
I work with adults experiencing:
PTSD
Childhood trauma
Complex trauma
Relationship trauma
Anxiety related to trauma
Emotional regulation difficulties
Grief and loss
Stress related to difficult life experiences
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each client's unique experiences and goals.
PTSD Therapy in Arlington, VA and Beyond
I provide therapy for clients in:
Arlington, VA
Alexandria, VA
Fairfax, VA
McLean, VA
Falls Church, VA
Reston, VA
Vienna, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
Richmond, VA
Washington, DC
Bethesda, MD
Rockville, MD
Silver Spring, MD
Throughout Virginia, Maryland and DC via telehealth
Whether you are dealing with recent trauma, longstanding PTSD symptoms, or the effects of difficult childhood experiences, therapy can help you better understand your experiences and move toward healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
Trauma refers to an overwhelming experience or series of experiences. PTSD is a specific condition that may develop following trauma and involves symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories.
Can childhood experiences cause PTSD symptoms later in life?
Yes. Early experiences can continue to influence emotional well-being, relationships, and stress responses well into adulthood.
Is psychodynamic therapy effective for trauma?
Psychodynamic therapy can help individuals understand how traumatic experiences continue to affect present-day emotions, relationships, and patterns of coping while supporting long-term healing and growth.
Do you offer virtual trauma therapy?
Yes. Secure online therapy is available for clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.
Get Started
If trauma, PTSD symptoms, anxiety, or difficult life experiences are affecting your daily life or relationships, therapy can help.
Reach out today to get set up in our secure client portal and book your first therapy session.