Healing from Complex Trauma is Possible.

Complex PTSD is a response to prolonged or repeated stress, neglect, chaos or trauma, especially during developmental years. Many people don't realize they have C-PTSD because they believe their experiences weren't "traumatic enough"—they might think, "others had it worse" or "at least I wasn't physically abused." The truth is, C-PTSD often develops from less obvious forms of trauma, like growing up with emotionally unavailable parents, feeling chronically unseen or unheard, having to be the "perfect" child, or living in an environment of subtle but persistent emotional neglect.

Unlike single-incident PTSD, C-PTSD stems from ongoing experiences that shape how you see yourself, relate to others, and navigate the world. While traditional PTSD can feel like being stuck in a specific traumatic memory, C-PTSD often feels like being stuck in a state of constant overwhelm, disconnection, or survival mode. Your symptoms aren't character flaws or personal failings—they're normal responses to abnormal amounts of stress and struggle that your nervous system had to endure.

While PTSD typically develops from a single traumatic event, C-PTSD stems from prolonged exposure to stressful situations that you can’t escape. This ongoing trauma impacts your self-worth, your ability to regulate emotions, and your relationship patterns. C-PTSD often includes additional symptoms like difficulty with trust, chronic shame, and challenges maintaining healthy relationships—areas that might not be as significantly impacted with PTSD.

Yes, healing from Complex PTSD is absolutely possible. While the journey looks different for everyone, therapy can help you develop new patterns of being in the world and relating to others, heal old wounds, and create a life that feels authentic and purposeful. Healing is a lifelong process, not a one time event, and with the right support, you can transform your trauma responses into a life lived with more joy, freedom and ease.

Healing from complex trauma is a unique journey for each person. While some people notice improvements in their symptoms within a few months, deep healing typically occurs over a longer period. We generally recommend committing to at least 6-12 months of regular sessions to create lasting change. 

Therapy can help you understand your experiences, develop tools for emotional regulation, and build a foundation of self-trust and self-love that you'll carry with you long after therapy ends. Think of therapy as a training ground where you'll learn skills and insights that will support your continued growth and healing journey throughout your life. It’s helpful to remember that you're not just managing symptoms—you're rewiring patterns that may have developed over years or decades, and building new capacities for living an intentional and purposeful life.

Our approach to C-PTSD therapy is gentle and paced according to your needs. Initial sessions focus on establishing safety and understanding your unique experiences. As therapy progresses, you'll learn tools for nervous system regulation, explore relationship patterns, and gradually process trauma at a pace that feels manageable. 

We integrate various therapeutic modalities to support your healing journey, including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Attachment-Focused Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Depth Therapy

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Existential Therapy

• Hakomi Therapy

• Holistic Therapy

• Humanistic Therapy

• Integrative Psychotherapy

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

• Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAP)

• Mindfulness Therapy

• Narrative Therapy

• Polyvagal Therapy

• Psychedelic Integration Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Relational Therapy

• Solution-Focused Therapy

• Somatic Therapy

• Spiritual Therapy

• Transpersonal Therapy

• Trauma-Informed Therapy

Your therapy journey will integrate both traditional talk therapy and body-based practices to support your healing on all levels—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Your therapist will work with you to determine which approaches best support your unique healing journey.

No, you don't need to remember specific traumatic events to heal from C-PTSD. Many people have implicit memories—body-based memories without clear narratives—or gaps in their memory due to trauma. Our approach honors whatever level of memory or awareness you have, focusing on healing the impact of trauma rather than requiring detailed recall of events.

Many people with C-PTSD question whether their experiences "count" as trauma, especially if they didn't experience obvious abuse. If you're experiencing symptoms like difficulty with relationships, emotional regulation challenges, or feeling chronically stressed or unsafe, it's worth exploring with a trauma-informed therapist. We can help you understand your experiences and determine the most helpful path forward.

When seeking therapy for Complex PTSD, it's helpful to work with a licensed therapist who has specific training in trauma-informed care and understands the nuances of complex trauma. All of our therapists here at The Holistic Counseling Center are licensed mental health professionals with advanced training in trauma therapy, somatic approaches, and holistic mental health modalities.

Taking the first step toward healing can feel overwhelming, but we've made the process simple and supportive. Here's how to begin your healing journey:

1. Schedule a Free Consultation Call
Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation call with our team. During this call, we'll:

• Listen to what's bringing you to therapy

• Answer any questions you have about our approach

• Discuss which of our therapists might be the best fit

• Review practical details like fees, insurance, and scheduling

2. Your First Session If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first therapy session. Your initial session is an opportunity to:

• Share your story in a safe, non-judgmental space

• Explore what’s possible in therapy, and set some goals

• Learn what tools you can start using to support your mind, body, heart and spirit

• Create a personalized treatment plan that honors your unique struggles, goals and personality

3. Moving Forward After your first session, we'll establish a regular therapy schedule that works for you. While weekly sessions are recommended initially to help establish safety and momentum in your healing journey, we understand that everyone's circumstances are different and will work with you to find a rhythm that feels supportive and sustainable.

Ready to begin? You can schedule your free consultation call by:

• Booking directly through our website

• Calling or texting us at 916.467.9539

• Emailing us at admin@theholisticcounseling.center

We know reaching out for support takes courage, especially when you're dealing with complex trauma. We're honored to be part of your healing journey.

We offer both in-person and online trauma therapy in multiple locations. We provide in-person sessions in:

• El Dorado Hills (near Sacramento and Folsom)

• San Francisco

• Santa Cruz

We also offer online therapy throughout California and several other states including:

• Colorado

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Florida

• Missouri

• Utah

• Idaho

• Washington

• Pennsylvania

Still have questions? Text us or schedule a free consultation call to find out if we can support you in your location.