7 NYC Trauma Therapists in Midtown Manhattan [Available Now]

PTSD is a common, sometimes debilitating psychiatric condition that is triggered in some individuals after either experiencing or witnessing a major traumatic event. Many people will have temporary difficulty adjusting, but they frequently get well with time, good support, and self-care. According to the National Center for PTSD, experiencing trauma is not unusual. Six percent of men and 10 percent of women develop PTSD at some time in their lives.

There are many types of traumas. A direct threat to one’s life, sexual violence, witnessing a death, serious physical injury, and witnessing physical violence to another person are just a few examples. PTSD occurs as a consequence of personal or vicarious exposure to extreme, life-threatening stress and/or serious injury or harm. Although these types of extreme stresses are difficult for everyone who experiences them, not everyone develops PTSD after these kinds of stresses. Risk factors for developing PTSD include but are not limited to: surviving a shocking, frightening, or dangerous event that causes you intense or long-lasting distress childhood trauma seeing another person hurt or killed feeling horror, helplessness, or extreme fear after a traumatizing event lack of support after the traumatizing event added stress related to the loss of a loved one, pain, injury, or job or home loss after the traumatizing event having a history of mental illness or substance abuse risk may be genetic

PTSD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and re-experiencing trauma through flashbacks; efforts to avoid trauma-related thoughts, feelings, places, or people; persistent negative cognition and mood; and hyperarousal manifested as severe anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, and irritability. Symptoms commonly begin within 3 months of the traumatic event but can be delayed for years after the trauma. Other common symptoms include: recurrent nightmares and terrorizing, disturbing memories severe emotional distress severe physical responses to trauma-related thoughts and feelings memory problems difficulty concentrating difficulty with intimate and family relationships feeling emotionally numb frightening easily crushing feelings of shame or guilt suicidal ideation sleep disorders affect 70-91 percent of individuals with PTSD substance abuse

Your TMP provider will diagnose your PTSD based on these four characteristic symptom clusters: re-experiencing, avoidance, reactivity and arousal, and cognition and mood symptoms. These symptoms must last more than one month and be so severe as to interfere with relationships and work.

The primary treatments include psychotherapy and medication. Typically, the prescribed medication is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), similar to what is used to address depression and anxiety disorders. Other medications can treat insomnia, nightmares, and anxiety attacks. If your symptoms include suicidal ideation and substance abuse you may need timely treatment directed towards these symptoms. Existing evidence-based, trauma-focused treatment modalities (such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be effective in treating PTSD. It is important to note that single-event PTSD is common. However, complex traumatic events associated with war, forcible displacement, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence can also cause mental health problems. Studies report that psychological treatments are effective for treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression and improving sleep in people with a history of complex traumas. As mentioned above, individual psychotherapy can be very effective in treating PTSD. There is also great benefit to group therapy. Group therapy allows individuals with similar traumas to validate their experiences; learn from others (e.g. what coping strategies have worked for others); help others, which often reduces one’s own anxiety; and develop supportive and trusting relationships with fellow group members. Your therapist can help you learn resilience which can lead to psychological flexibility, making you more open to new relationships and experiences. Through building effective coping skills, strengthening relationships, and building psychological strength, individuals are better able to face challenges and respond effectively to fear. When you are struggling with overwhelming symptoms of a traumatic event that has lasted for more than one month, contact the experts at The Midtown Practice. We will work with you to design personalized treatments to address your goals and needs.

Yes. We offer in-person trauma therapy at our Midtown Manhattan office at 18 East 48th Street, as well as virtual and hybrid options. Many clients find that in-person sessions support the sense of safety and presence that trauma work often requires, while others prefer the comfort and accessibility of virtual care. You can choose the format that works best for you.

Yes, trauma therapy is often covered by insurance. The Midtown Practice is an out-of-network practice and does not accept insurance directly. However, we provide detailed invoices (superbills) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurer in advance to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits, deductible, and reimbursement rate.