TRAUMA & STRESS THERAPY

Healing from Trauma & Stress Through Creative Expression

We provide compassionate, specialized care that helps you process trauma, reduce stress, and reclaim your sense of safety and peace.

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AT START, WE MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE

At START, we understand that trauma lives in the body, not just the mind.

Trauma occurs when we experience events that overwhelm our ability to cope, leaving us feeling unsafe, helpless, or deeply distressed.

These experiences can range from acute incidents like accidents or loss to ongoing situations like chronic stress, childhood adversity, or systemic oppression.

Stress, while a normal part of life, becomes problematic when it's persistent and exceeds our resources to manage it. When stress goes unaddressed, it can affect every aspect of our well-being, from our physical health to our relationships and sense of self.

The good news is that healing is possible. With the right support, you can process what you've been through, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and move toward a life defined by resilience rather than survival.

OUR APPROACH TO TRAUMA & STRESS

We integrate creative arts therapies with evidence-based therapeutic approaches to address the whole person, creating space for healing that goes beyond words alone.

Evidence-Based Modalities

We utilize proven approaches, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process traumatic memories

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) to work with different parts of yourself with compassion

Building Resilience

Healing from trauma isn't just about processing the past. It's about cultivating strength, rediscovering joy, and creating a future aligned with your values and dreams.

Creative Arts Therapies

When words aren't enough, the arts provide alternative pathways for healing:

  • Art Therapy to externalize and process difficult emotions safely

  • Music Therapy to regulate your nervous system and access buried feelings

  • Drama and Dance Movement Therapy to reconnect with your body and explore new ways of being

  • Writing and Poetry Therapy to give voice to your story on your terms

Trauma-Informed Care

We create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you set the pace. Our therapists are trained to recognize the impact of trauma and prioritize your sense of safety, choice, and empowerment throughout the therapeutic process.

Nervous System Regulation

We help you develop tools to calm your body's stress response, including breathwork, grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, and somatic awareness.

Post-traumatic Growth

Beyond Resilience Healing isn't just about bouncing back. It's about becoming someone new. Post-traumatic growth goes beyond resilience by discovering strengths you didn't know you had, developing deeper relationships, finding new meaning in life, and sometimes even feeling more alive than before.

You Don't Have To Carry This Alone

Let's explore how therapy can help you find peace and reclaim your life.

start your healing journey

Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy for Trauma & Stress

You might benefit from working with one of our trauma and stress specialists if you're experiencing:

→ If any of these resonate with you, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Therapy can provide the tools, insight, and compassionate space you need to heal.

Recurring nightmares or intrusive memories of past events

Physical symptoms without a clear medical cause

Feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you

Feeling constantly anxious, worried, or on edge

Avoidance of reminders of traumatic experiences

Struggling to trust others or maintain healthy relationships

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About Trauma & Stress

  • Stress is a natural response to challenging situations and typically resolves when the stressor is removed. Trauma occurs when an experience overwhelms your ability to cope, leaving lasting impacts on how you think, feel, and relate to the world. While all trauma involves stress, not all stress is traumatic.

  • This varies greatly depending on the individual and the nature of the trauma. Some people find relief in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll work collaboratively with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

  • Trauma doesn't have an expiration date. Whether your experiences happened recently or decades ago, therapy can help. It's never too late to heal and reclaim your life.

  • You don't need to label your experiences to deserve support. If something you went through is affecting your life now, that's enough. We're here to help you process what you've been through, whatever you choose to call it.

  • We accept several insurance plans, including Cigna, MagnaCare, and HealthFirst. We also provide "Superbills" if you'd like to seek out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance company. See our fees/insurance page for details.

  • Simply reach out. You can go through a consultation to help you find the right therapist and determine if our approach is a good fit for your needs or you can go directly to intake.

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

You've carried this weight long enough. Let's work together to help you find
relief, build resilience, and create a life where you feel safe, seen, and whole.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY