Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy for healing and security virtually throughout Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii, with in-person availability in Seattle and Tacoma.

WHAT IS TRAUMA THERAPY?

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of counseling that helps individuals heal from experiences that continue to affect their emotional, physical, and relational well-being. Trauma can result from a single distressing event or from ongoing experiences such as childhood adversity, abuse, neglect, difficult relationships, grief, medical trauma, discrimination, or other experiences that left you feeling overwhelmed or unsafe.

Trauma doesn't look the same for everyone. For some, it may show up as anxiety, intrusive memories, or difficulty trusting others. For others, it can look like perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional numbness, trouble setting boundaries, or feeling constantly on edge. These responses are not signs that something is wrong with you, they're often ways your mind and body learned to adapt and protect you during difficult experiences.

Trauma therapy provides a safe, supportive space to better understand how your past may be influencing your present. Rather than forcing you to relive painful memories, therapy moves at a pace that feels comfortable and empowering. Together, you and your therapist will work to strengthen coping skills, process difficult experiences, and build a greater sense of safety, self-compassion, and connection.

At The Collective, our therapists use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs and goals. Healing isn't about forgetting what happened, it's about reducing the hold those experiences have on your life so you can move forward with greater resilience, confidence, and hope.

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Signs Trauma May Still Be Affecting You

Trauma can show up in many different ways, including:

  • Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or constantly on edge

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Flashbacks or intrusive memories

  • Nightmares or difficulty sleeping

  • Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected

  • Avoiding certain people, places, or situations

  • Feeling easily startled

  • Shame, guilt, or self-blame

  • Trouble regulating emotions

  • Difficulty feeling safe in relationships

  • Chronic people-pleasing or perfectionism

  • Physical symptoms such as tension or chronic pain

Sometimes people don't realize these experiences are connected to trauma until they begin therapy.

FIND YOUR THERAPIST

Our Approach to Trauma Therapy

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing.

At The Collective, each therapist brings their own training, personality, and areas of expertise while sharing a commitment to trauma-informed, compassionate care. Therapy is tailored to your unique experiences, goals, and readiness.

Depending on your therapist and your needs, sessions may incorporate approaches such as:

  • Trauma-informed therapy

  • EMDR

  • Somatic therapy

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Attachment-focused therapy

  • Mindfulness and nervous system regulation

  • Cognitive and emotional processing

Our therapists work collaboratively with you to create a space where healing feels empowering rather than overwhelming.

Imagine What's Possible

  • Imagine waking up without feeling like you're constantly bracing for something to go wrong.

  • Imagine feeling more connected to yourself instead of stuck in survival mode.

  • Imagine trusting your emotions, your instincts, and the people you've chosen to let into your life.

  • Imagine responding to life's challenges with greater confidence instead of fear, overwhelm, or self-doubt.

Healing doesn't mean forgetting your past—it means reclaiming your present. Trauma therapy can help you feel more grounded, build healthier relationships, and create a life where your experiences no longer define what is possible for your future.

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Our therapists work with individuals experiencing a wide range of traumatic experiences, including:

  • Childhood trauma

  • Sexual trauma

  • Religious trauma

  • Relationship trauma

  • Emotional abuse

  • Physical abuse

  • Medical trauma

  • Grief and traumatic loss

  • Complex trauma (C-PTSD)

  • PTSD

  • Attachment wounds

  • Minority stress and identity-based trauma

Every person's story is unique, and every person deserves compassionate, individualized care.

Who We Support

Our Trauma Therapists

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Austin Cresap (She/Her)

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Bailey Cheshire (They/She/He)

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Cat Buckley (She/They)

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JP Taylor (He/Him)

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Madisyn Roberts (She/Her)

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Mel Kohler (They/She)

Frequently Asked Questions

about Trauma Therapy

  • Trauma therapy is a specialized form of counseling that helps individuals process difficult experiences, reduce the emotional and physical effects of trauma, and develop healthier ways of coping. Therapy is tailored to your needs and moves at a pace that feels safe and manageable.Affirming therapy is not about changing who you are, it is about creating a space where you can explore your experiences, heal from painful messages or experiences, and build a stronger connection with yourself. Your identity is respected, valued, and welcomed as an important part of who you are.

  • Our therapists work with many forms of trauma, including childhood trauma, sexual trauma, religious trauma, relationship trauma, medical trauma, grief, complex trauma, and other experiences that continue to affect your daily life.

  • Each therapist at The Collective has their own specialties and approach to trauma therapy. We encourage you to explore our therapist profiles to find someone whose experience and personality feel like the right fit for your healing journey.

  • Many people think trauma only refers to life-threatening events, but trauma can result from any experience that felt overwhelming, frightening, or left a lasting emotional impact. If past experiences continue to affect your relationships, emotions, self-esteem, or daily life, trauma therapy may be beneficial. You don't need a specific diagnosis or a "big enough" story to deserve support.

  • Yes. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals carry painful experiences related to messages they received about identity, relationships, sexuality, or gender from family, communities, or religious environments.

    Therapy can help you process the impact of those experiences, explore your own beliefs and values, heal from shame, and develop a relationship with yourself that feels authentic and compassionate. Your therapist will meet you where you are and support you in creating a life that aligns with your own values and sense of self.

  • Each therapist at The Collective has their own training and areas of expertise. Depending on your goals and the therapist you work with, treatment may incorporate trauma-informed therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, attachment-based therapy, mindfulness, or other evidence-based approaches designed to support healing.

  • Absolutely. Trauma can influence how we connect with others, communicate, trust, set boundaries, and respond during conflict. You may find yourself pulling away, fearing abandonment, people-pleasing, or struggling to feel emotionally safe. Trauma therapy can help you better understand these patterns and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.

Begin Trauma Therapy

Healing doesn't require you to have all the answers before you begin.

If you're ready to better understand your experiences, reconnect with yourself, and move toward a life that feels more grounded and fulfilling, The Collective is here to support you.

Explore our therapists to find the right fit and take the first step toward healing.

FIND YOUR THERAPIST
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