A Path to Healing: Trauma Therapy for Adults

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Trauma Therapy for Adults in NY, NJ & CT

If you are struggling with the after-effects of a traumatic event or ongoing adversity, you are not alone, and effective help is available. Trauma, whether from a single incident or prolonged experiences like abuse or neglect, can have a profound and lasting impact on mental health. Conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and other dissociative disorders are increasingly recognized as serious consequences of trauma. Metro NY DBT Center’s Adult Trauma Program is designed specifically for adults navigating the complex aftermath of such experiences.

Understanding Adult Trauma and Its Impact

Trauma can stem from a wide range of experiences, including accidents, assault, combat exposure, natural disasters, violence, childhood abuse or neglect, or the sudden loss of a loved one. These experiences can have a profound and lasting impact on mental health, as the mind and body adapt to overwhelming stress.

The effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, from general signs of distress to more specific clinical conditions.

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These can include:

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Intense anxiety, fear, and worry

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Persistent intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks

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Changes in self-perception or identity

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Irritability, anger, and significant mood swings

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Difficulty with concentration and memory

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Feelings of detachment, numbness, shame, or guilt

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Difficulties in interpersonal relationships and trust

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Avoidance of people, places, activities, or thoughts related to the trauma

Our clinicians are skilled in identifying and treating specific, complex conditions that can arise from severe or chronic trauma:

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)



PTSD is characterized by intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, hyperarousal (e.g., being easily startled, sleep disturbances), and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli. It typically results from experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

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Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Arising from prolonged trauma, Complex PTSD includes PTSD symptoms plus struggles with self-identity and emotional control. Sufferers often experience unstable relationships and a deep sense of worthlessness and being unsafe.

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Dissociative Disorders

Triggered by severe trauma, these disorders involve a mental detachment from reality. Key features include significant disruptions in memory, identity, and perception, creating a feeling of being disconnected from oneself.

Ultimately, adults affected by trauma frequently struggle with relationships, career performance, physical health, and emotional regulation. Without intervention, these difficulties often persist, making specialized trauma treatment essential for interrupting this cycle and fostering healing.

Our Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment for Adults

At Metro NY DBT Center, our trauma treatment services are grounded in a phased, compassionate, and individualized approach. Effective trauma treatment must be sensitive to the unique needs of each person. Leading approaches include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Our clinicians are trained to work slowly and compassionately to avoid retraumatization. We customize treatment to your specific needs, emphasizing stabilization, emotional safety, and skill-building from the beginning. Our clinicians use empirically validated treatments to address symptoms safely and effectively.

Key modalities we offer include:

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Prolonged Exposure (PE)

One evidence-based approach widely used for PTSD is Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. PE focuses on helping individuals confront trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations in a safe and controlled therapeutic environment. The therapy involves two main components:

  • Imaginal Exposure: Vividly recounting the traumatic experience with your therapist to process the memory and associated emotions.
  • In Vivo Exposure: Gradually engaging with real-world situations, places, or activities that you have been avoiding due to trauma-related fear. The goal of PE is to reduce avoidance, which often maintains PTSD symptoms, by helping you learn that trauma-related memories and reminders, though distressing, are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. Research has shown PE to be highly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving emotional regulation by decreasing avoidance behaviors.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Our EMDR for trauma (NYC/NJ/CT treatment service area) is another widely recognized modality. It is a structured, eight-phase therapy that helps individuals process and reframe traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones). The idea behind EMDR is that traumatic memories can remain "stuck" or unprocessed in the brain due to the overwhelming nature of the experience.

Bilateral stimulation is thought to help integrate these memories into adaptive memory networks, similar to what occurs during REM sleep. EMDR allows individuals to reprocess the trauma in a way that reduces its emotional distress and vividness, facilitating healing and a more adaptive perspective on the traumatic event. Research has shown it to be highly effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, often promoting an efficient recovery process.

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DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)

A promising development is the integration of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Prolonged Exposure, known as DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), developed by Dr. Melanie Harned. This approach combines DBT’s focus on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness with the exposure principles of PE. DBT-PE is particularly beneficial for individuals with complex trauma, significant emotional dysregulation, or co-occurring conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), who may struggle with the intense emotions evoked during traditional PE.

By teaching clients how to utilize DBT skills to manage overwhelming emotions and reduce distress during trauma exposure, DBT-PE enhances the overall effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment and helps individuals build resilience and emotional stability.

How Trauma Therapy Could Help You

Our trauma-focused therapies are designed to produce meaningful, lasting change in your life. Therapy for trauma could help you:

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Reduce symptoms of PTSD, CPTSD, or dissociation, including flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance.

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Decrease feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, shame, and guilt.

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Improve emotion regulation and develop effective coping skills.

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Restore a sense of safety, control, and agency in your life.

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Strengthen interpersonal relationships and improve communication.

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Enhance daily functioning at work, in social settings, and in personal pursuits.

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Foster resilience, self-compassion, and a renewed hope for the future.

Our Approach to Adult Trauma Treatment at Metro NY DBT Center

Our Adult Trauma Program is structured to provide comprehensive, effective, and safe care, as treatment of PTSD, CPTSD, and dissociative disorders must be comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized. These conditions reflect deep and complex responses to trauma, and recovery is rarely linear.

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Treatment begins with a thorough assessment phase, typically including initial sessions with a trauma therapist to understand your history, symptoms, current coping strategies, and treatment goals.


  • Collaborative Treatment Planning:  We work with you to develop a clear and collaborative treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals, deciding together on the most appropriate therapeutic approach.


  • Weekly Individual Therapy: You will meet for individual therapy sessions (typically 45-90 minutes, depending on the modality, with PE and EMDR sessions often being longer) with your primary therapist to build skills, process traumatic experiences, and work towards your goals.


  • Skills Group Training: When appropriate, participation in DBT skills training groups or other relevant therapy groups can provide additional support for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.


  • Ongoing Consultation & Support: We provide ongoing support and can consult with other providers (with your consent) to ensure coordinated care.

The Metro NY DBT Difference: Expert Trauma-Informed Care for Adults

Choosing Metro NY DBT Center for your trauma treatment means choosing a team committed to the highest standard of care.

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Expertise



Our clinicians have intensive training and practical experience in evidence-based trauma therapies like PE, EMDR, and DBT-PE. We understand the nuances of what is DBT therapy used for in complex trauma.

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Integrated & Collaborative Care


  Our team works together through regular consultation to ensure you receive coordinated and comprehensive mental health services.

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Commitment to Safety


  We prioritize creating a physically and emotionally safe environment, which is the essential foundation for effective trauma work.

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Evidence-Based Hope



We provide structured, proven therapies that offer a clear path toward healing and long-term resilience. Through these interventions, Metro offers the opportunity for healing to people whose lives have been impacted by trauma.

Insurance and Payment Information for Trauma Therapy

Metro NY DBT Center is an "out-of-network" provider and does not participate directly with insurance panels. Clients are responsible for payment at the time of service. We provide detailed invoices that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We encourage you to speak with your insurance provider about your specific benefits for outpatient mental health services, including trauma counseling– NYC/NJ/CT service areas. Please let us know if we can assist you in understanding this process, though we cannot guarantee reimbursement.

Insurance Structure for Adult Trauma Program Services

(Please confirm current fees and CPT codes during your consultation)

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60-minute Intake/Assessment Session
Insurance CPT Code: 90791

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45-minute Individual Therapy Session
Insurance CPT Code: 90834

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60-90 minute Individual PE or EMDR Therapy Session
Insurance CPT Code: 90837

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75-minute Skills Group Session
Insurance CPT Code: 90849 (if applicable)

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Schedule a Trauma Therapy Consultation

It takes courage to seek help for trauma, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our Adult Trauma Program offers a compassionate, effective path to help you process the past, understand its impact, and build a life that feels safe, meaningful, and worth living.

Empower yourself to start the healing process. Contact Metro NY DBT Center to schedule your consultation.

Visit our Contact Page: Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy for Adults

  • What is the difference between Prolonged Exposure (PE) and EMDR?

    Both PE and EMDR are highly effective, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and trauma. PE is a type of CBT cognitive behavioral therapy,a  trauma-focused CBT for adults, that helps individuals gradually and safely confront memories, feelings, and situations to reduce fear and avoidance. EMDR is a distinct therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements) to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional power and vividness. The best therapy for trauma for you will be determined during the comprehensive assessment phase in collaboration with your therapist, considering your specific symptoms, preferences, and history.

  • How do I know if I need trauma therapy?

    If you have experienced one or more distressing events and are experiencing lasting changes in your mood, behavior, sleep, relationships, or ability to function in daily life (e.g., persistent anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, difficulty trusting others, feeling numb), a consultation with a trauma specialist is recommended. You don't need a formal PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or other trauma-informed approaches.

  • Is it safe for me to talk about the trauma in therapy?

    Yes. Our evidence-based therapies are specifically designed to help you process trauma in a way that is gradual, controlled, and safe. Building a strong therapeutic relationship and ensuring you have adequate coping skills are the first and most important steps before directly addressing traumatic memories. Your therapist will work with you to ensure you never feel overwhelmed beyond your capacity to cope.

  • How long does adult trauma treatment take?

    The duration of trauma treatment varies depending on individual needs, the complexity of the trauma, the specific therapy used, and your personal goals. Some structured protocols like PE or EMDR may have a typical range of sessions (e.g., 8-20 sessions), while treatment for CPTSD or dissociative conditions may be longer-term. We will establish a clear treatment plan and discuss estimated timelines with you from the beginning.