Trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s not limited to life-threatening events or dramatic news headlines. For many people, trauma shows up as a feeling that something isn’t quite right—trouble sleeping, feeling emotionally distant or numb, struggling to trust others, or overreacting in everyday situations.

At Keystone Therapy Group, we specialize in helping people safely explore and heal from trauma & PTSD so they can move forward with clarity, connection, and confidence. If you’re wondering whether past experiences might be affecting your life now, or if you’re already aware of trauma but don’t know how to begin the healing process, this guide is for you.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional and physiological response to an overwhelming or distressing experience that feels threatening to your sense of safety, control, or identity. While some trauma is caused by a single event—such as a car accident, assault, or medical emergency—other trauma builds over time, even beginning in childhood—such as abuse or neglect.

Some examples of trauma may include experiences less often identified as traumatic:

• Loss of a loved one
• Bullying or emotional invalidation
• Growing up in a home with conflict, addiction, or mental illness
• Sudden loss of a job or home
• Medical trauma or chronic illness
• Experiences of racism, marginalization, or discrimination

It’s important to remember that everyone responds to trauma differently. You don’t need to justify or compare your experience to others. I often share this simile with my clients: “If you are lying in a hospital bed with a broken arm in a cast, does your arm hurt? Yes. If someone in the bed next to yours is in a full-body cast with many broken bones, does their body hurt? Yes. Does your hurt any less because they are in ‘more’ pain than you? No!” If it still hurts, it matters.

Types of Trauma

Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes. Most often, you might hear it referred to as Acute, Chronic, Complex, and “High-Functioning”.

Acute trauma is caused by a single incident can be just as impactful and overwhelming as ongoing trauma. It can trigger intense emotions and have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health. 

Chronic trauma, such as repeated domestic violence or abuse, can have devastating effects on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. The prolonged exposure to harmful experiences can make it difficult for a person to cope and heal. 

Complex trauma, or C-PTSD, can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual. These traumatic events are often deeply personal and invasive, and individuals may experience them multiple times, compounding the effects. 

People who exhibit symptoms of trauma, such as PTSD or C-PTSD, while appearing to function well in their daily lives, are often referred to as having “high-functioning trauma.” Although it is not an official diagnosis, these individuals may successfully navigate daily tasks and relationships, yet still face ongoing challenges related to their traumatic experiences.

Signs You May Be Carrying Unresolved Trauma

Trauma often shows up in subtle, chronic ways, like a lingering feeling in the back of your mind. You might even notice it more as a tension or discomfort in your body. You might notice:

• Trouble sleeping or relaxing
• Irritability or emotional outbursts
• Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships
• Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from your body
• Anxiety, hypervigilance, or being easily startled
• Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares
• Shame, guilt, or negative self-beliefs

Sometimes people assume these symptoms are “just how I am,” or it’s often misdiagnosed as anxiety, but that’s always the case. These patterns are responses to the dangerous event you experienced, not personality traits—and they can be healed through therapy with a trauma specialist.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an ongoing emotional and physiological response to an experienced or perceived event creating a threat of death, injury, or violence towards the individual, where symptoms continue for at least one month after the traumatic event. The individual experiences the following symptoms:

• Recurrent, involuntary, intrusive memories, dreams, and/or flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Intense or prolonged psychological or physiological reactions to cues that symbolize the traumatic event
• Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event (avoiding memories, places, people, or activities associated with the event)
• Negative alterations in thoughts or mood associated with the traumatic event (unable to remember parts or all of the traumatic event)
• Persistent negative thoughts about the self, or blaming the self for the event
• Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
• Loss of interest or participation in activities that were previously enjoyed
• Feelings of detachment from others
• Inability or struggles to experience positive emotions
• Changes in behaviors:
  • Irritable behavior and angry outbursts
  • Reckless or destructive behavior
  • Hypervigilance
  • Exaggerated startle response
  • Difficulty with concentration
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Someone with PTSD may experience some of these symptoms and not others. The symptoms also may shift or change over time. Recognizing these symptoms as a diagnosis of PTSD allows your therapist to identify how your brain is still working to keep you safe from the traumatic event and create a specialized approach to working with you to heal your trauma and decrease your symptoms.

What is Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)?

Complex trauma (C-PTSD) is similar to PTSD in experiencing the same above symptoms to experienced or perceived trauma but is not officially recognized in the DSM-5-TR as a formal diagnosis. So why do we recognize it as different from PTSD? While PTSD is the reaction to a singular traumatic event, C-PTSD is the reaction to ongoing, prolonged, or repeated trauma, often by someone close to you or whom you trusted.

This is most often seen in individuals who experienced ongoing abuse and/or neglect in:

• Childhood abuse
• Domestic violence
• Sexual trafficking or slavery
• War or community violence
• Refugee experiences

People with C-PTSD also experience additional symptoms alongside those of PTSD, including difficulty with emotion regulation, issues with identity or the sense of self, and ongoing issues with relationships. C-PTSD can frequently be traced back to Attachment Issues with parents/caretakers who caused the abuse/neglect.

The Process of Healing from Trauma

While “healing from trauma” means the same thing to each person (more below), the approach actually differs for each person depending on your experienced trauma, ongoing symptoms, and current environment.

How Therapy Helps Heal from Trauma

At Keystone Therapy Group, we use evidence-based, compassionate approaches to trauma therapy. Healing doesn’t mean reliving your past. It means learning how your experiences shaped your nervous system and your relationships—and creating a new path forward.

In order to truly provide the best care possible, every single one of our therapists is a trauma-certified professional.

Our Trauma-Informed Approaches to Treating Trauma and PTSD:

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Helps you understand your attachment patterns and build safer, more connected relationships.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaches skills to respond to painful memories and emotions with self-compassion and mindfulness.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns tied to trauma.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Teaches you skills for how to manage and regulate emotions, especially helpful for trauma survivors.

We work with both individuals and couples, in-person at our Burke, VA office or virtually across Virginia.

Choosing the Right Therapist for Trauma Support

Finding the right therapist is one of the most important steps in healing from trauma. Trauma work requires trust, emotional safety, and specialized care. Not every therapist is trained to address trauma in a way that supports the depth and complexity of what you’re carrying. Working with someone who understands the nuances of trauma can make the difference between feeling stuck and finally beginning to heal.

Whether you’re seeking support for a specific event or struggling with symptoms that have lingered for years, it’s worth taking the time to choose a therapist who is the right fit for your needs.

Questions to Ask When Looking for a Trauma Therapist

If you’re ready to begin therapy, asking the right questions can help you find someone who is not only qualified but also the right match for your personality and goals. Here are some helpful questions to guide your search:

• Do you specialize in treating trauma or PTSD?
  • Many therapists work with trauma, but not all are trained in evidence-based trauma treatment. Ask about their training and experience with trauma-related issues.
• What approaches or modalities do you use for trauma?
  • Look for therapists who use approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or other trauma-informed modalities. Some may also be trained in EMDR or somatic practices.
• Have you worked with clients who have experienced [insert relevant issue, e.g., childhood trauma, abuse, military trauma]?
  • This helps you get a sense of whether their experience aligns with your needs. Be specific!
• How do you create a safe space for clients who are sharing painful or vulnerable experiences?
  • A good trauma therapist will prioritize safety, consent, and pacing, and should be able to explain how they do so.
• Are you certified in any trauma-specific treatment models?
  • Certifications like Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) or training through trauma-focused organizations can be a sign of advanced expertise.
• What can I expect in the first few sessions?
  • Understanding the process can ease anxiety about starting therapy and help you feel more prepared.

Remember: your comfort and sense of connection matter. Even a highly trained therapist may not be the best fit if you don’t feel safe and understood. It’s okay to trust your gut.

Why Specialization Matters

Trauma affects the mind and body in deeply layered ways. Therapists who specialize in trauma understand how symptoms like anxiety, dissociation, relationship conflict, or chronic stress may all be connected to past experiences—even those you may not immediately recognize as trauma.

Specialized trauma therapists have in-depth training in how trauma is stored in the body and how it impacts the nervous system, memory, and emotional regulation. They’re skilled in helping clients work through trauma at a pace that feels manageable, without retraumatizing or overwhelming them.

At Keystone Therapy Group, our team includes licensed professionals with advanced trauma training, including Certified Clinical Trauma Professionals (CCTP) and Level 2 Complex Trauma Professionals. We take a compassionate, personalized approach that honors your lived experience while using effective tools to help you move forward.

What to Expect in Trauma Therapy

You won’t be asked to dive into your most painful experiences on day one. In fact, the first step is simply building a relationship with your therapist, so you feel safe, respected, and in control of the process.

As therapy progresses, we’ll explore:

• How trauma affects your body and brain
• The protective strategies you’ve developed—and how they may be holding you back
• How to create emotional safety and trust (with yourself and others)
• Skills for managing triggers and reconnecting with your sense of self

Healing from trauma doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right support, it does happen. We’ve walked alongside many clients as they rediscovered their voice, boundaries, and strength.

You’re Not Alone: Next Steps Toward Healing

Taking the first step toward healing from trauma can feel overwhelming—and it’s completely normal to have mixed emotions. Whether you’re navigating recent events or carrying wounds from long ago, know this: you don’t have to do it alone. Healing happens in connection—with a therapist who sees you, hears you, and walks with you at your pace.

Trauma therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about understanding what you’ve been through and learning how to reclaim your sense of safety, identity, and strength. If you’re ready to explore support, here’s how to get started.

How to Start Trauma Therapy in Virginia

Starting therapy in Virginia is simple, but choosing a trauma-informed therapist is key. Here’s how to begin:

1. Do your research – Look for therapists who clearly state that they specialize in trauma. Check for advanced certifications or ongoing training in trauma treatment like CCTP or CCTP-II.
2. Verify licensure – Make sure your therapist is licensed in Virginia (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, etc.), especially if you’re planning to use insurance or file for reimbursement.
3. Reach out for a consultation – A brief call or message can give you a sense of whether the therapist might be a good fit. Ask about their approach, availability, and experience with issues similar to yours. You can book your free consultation with a Keystone therapist here.
4. Consider your needs – Are you looking for in-person support, or do you prefer the flexibility of online therapy? Would you feel more comfortable with someone who shares aspects of your identity or background?

Virginia residents have access to both in-person and telehealth trauma therapy at Keystone Therapy Group, so you can choose what feels right for you without sacrificing quality of care.

Working With Keystone Therapy Group

At Keystone Therapy Group, our mission is to provide compassionate, expert care to individuals, couples, and families navigating the impact of trauma. Our therapists are deeply committed to trauma-informed practice and receive ongoing training to stay current with best practices in the field.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore therapy or you’re returning after time away, we welcome you without judgment and meet you where you are. From your first contact to every session, we strive to create a warm, supportive environment that empowers healing.

In-Person and Virtual Therapy Options Available

We understand that everyone’s life looks different. That’s why we offer both in-person therapy at our Burke, Virginia office and secure virtual sessions across the state of Virginia. Whether you prefer the connection of being face-to-face or the flexibility of online support, you’ll receive the same high-quality care.

Our virtual platform is easy to use, confidential, and HIPAA-compliant—making therapy accessible from the comfort of your home, car, or wherever you feel safe. In-person sessions provide a welcoming, calm environment designed with your emotional comfort in mind.

We’re here to help you choose the option that best fits your schedule, lifestyle, and comfort level.

Schedule your Free Consultation with our Trauma Specialists Today!

📍 In-person therapy in Burke / Fairfax Station, Virginia, or virtual sessions statewide.
🧠 Expert care from licensed trauma therapists using EFT, ACT, CBT, and more.
💡 Compassionate, personalized treatment for adults, teens, and couples.