Trauma Therapy
Therapy for Trauma, PTSD & C-PTSD:
At its core, exposure to trauma significantly disrupts our sense of self, how we see the world, and our ability to feel safe and cared for. Therapy can be a powerful first step toward restoring a sense of safety and beginning the process of healing. As trauma specialists and survivors, we provide trauma-informed therapy for adults struggling with the lasting effects of childhood trauma, emotional abuse, neglect, relationship trauma, and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Does Trauma Feel Like It’s Controlling Your Life?
Are you constantly on high alert, struggling to sleep despite feeling exhausted?
Do intrusive thoughts keep pulling you back into painful memories?
Does it feel like your external success is masking your internal struggle?
Maybe you're finding it hard to regulate your emotions—lashing out at loved ones or feeling numb and disconnected.
Do you struggle to trust others, fearing abandonment or rejection? Or do you feel you’re un-loveable….constantly crippled by feelings of guilt or shame?
If these experiences sound familiar, you’re not alone. Trauma therapy can help you regain control, feel safe again, and reconnect with the person you want to be.
Trauma Has No Timestamp
Research shows that trauma isn’t stored in the brain like a normal memory—it’s often held in the nervous system as a felt experience. When something in the present reminds the brain of past danger, the body can react as if the trauma is happening right now, even when you logically know you’re safe. This is why trauma can feel so immediate and overwhelming….why certain sounds, interactions, or emotional cues trigger intense reactions that seem to come out of nowhere. It’s not a failure of willpower or insight; it’s the brain doing exactly what it learned to do to survive. Therapy helps the nervous system update those old survival responses so the past no longer hijacks the present.
What Is Complex PTSD?
While many people are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), fewer have heard of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). Many people searching for Complex PTSD therapy in NYC have spent years struggling with symptoms they don’t immediately recognize as trauma-related.
Complex PTSD, often referred to as CPTSD, can develop after repeated or prolonged exposure to trauma, particularly when the trauma occurs within important relationships.
Unlike PTSD, which is often associated with a specific traumatic event, Complex PTSD frequently develops from ongoing experiences such as:
Childhood emotional abuse
Childhood emotional neglect
Growing up with narcissistic parents
Emotionally immature caregivers
Domestic violence
Childhood sexual abuse
Chronic bullying
Long-term relationship abuse
Many adults seeking complex trauma therapy discover that their current struggles are connected to experiences that occurred years or even decades earlier.
PTSD vs CPTSD: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions people ask is, “What is the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?”
While both conditions are trauma-related, there are important distinctions.
PTSD often involves symptoms such as:
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Intrusive memories
Avoidance
Hypervigilance
Complex PTSD can include these symptoms as well but often involves additional challenges related to:
Self-esteem
Emotional regulation
Trust
Relationships
Persistent shame
Identity
Individuals with CPTSD frequently report feeling as though trauma has affected their entire sense of self rather than only specific memories or events.
Childhood Trauma and CPTSD
Research and clinical experience have shown that childhood trauma can significantly impact emotional development, relationships, and nervous system functioning.
Not everyone who experiences childhood trauma develops CPTSD. However, many adults struggling with Complex PTSD describe histories involving:
Emotional neglect
Emotional abuse
Family dysfunction
Parentification
Narcissistic parenting
Unpredictable caregiving
Chronic criticism or invalidation
Understanding the connection between childhood trauma and CPTSD can be an important step toward healing and self-compassion. Read here to learn more about childhood trauma.
Signs of Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
Complex trauma often impacts much more than memories of past events. It can shape how you see yourself, interact with others, and navigate the world.
You may struggle with:
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Many survivors of complex trauma carry a deep sense that something is wrong with them.
You may feel:
Not good enough
Unworthy of love
Fundamentally flawed
Responsible for other people’s feelings
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You may find it difficult to manage intense emotions or feel overwhelmed by emotional experiences.
This can include:
Sudden emotional reactions
Difficulty calming down after conflict
Anxiety that feels difficult to control
Emotional numbness
Persistent feelings of guilt or shame
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Complex trauma often affects attachment and trust.
You may experience:
Fear of abandonment
Difficulty trusting others
Attraction to unhealthy relationships
People pleasing
Difficulty setting boundaries
Fear of vulnerability
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Many survivors feel constantly on guard, even when there is no immediate danger.
You may:
Overanalyze situations
Expect the worst
Struggle to relax
Feel responsible for preventing problems
Constantly scan for signs of rejection or conflict
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Many trauma survivors learn that achievement, caretaking, or pleasing others helped them stay safe.
As adults this may appear as:
Perfectionism
Overworking
Difficulty saying no
People pleasing
Fear of disappointing others
Difficulty prioritizing your own needs
These patterns are often adaptive survival strategies rather than personality flaws.
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Unlike traditional flashbacks, emotional flashbacks may not involve vivid memories of past events. Instead, individuals suddenly experience overwhelming feelings such as shame, fear, panic, helplessness, or rejection that seem disproportionate to the current situation.
During an emotional flashback, a person may feel as though they are reliving the emotional experience of childhood without consciously realizing it.
Common triggers may include:
Criticism
Conflict
Perceived rejection
Disappointment
Authority figures
Relationship challenges
Many adults with complex trauma describe feeling emotionally transported back to childhood patterns of fear, shame, or helplessness despite knowing intellectually that they are safe.
Negative Self-Beliefs
One of the most painful and often overlooked effects of Complex PTSD is the development of deeply ingrained negative beliefs about oneself.
Children naturally look to caregivers to understand who they are and how the world works. When a child grows up experiencing emotional abuse, neglect, chronic criticism, rejection, or invalidation, they may begin to internalize harmful messages about their worth and identity.
Over time, these experiences can lead to beliefs such as:
“I’m not good enough.”
“Something is wrong with me.”
“I don’t matter.”
“I’m a burden.”
“I have to earn love and acceptance.”
“My needs aren’t important.”
“People will eventually leave me.”
“I can’t trust myself.”
These beliefs often persist into adulthood, influencing relationships, career decisions, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
Even when there is evidence to the contrary, individuals may struggle to recognize their strengths, accept compliments, trust their judgment, or feel deserving of healthy relationships and success.
Many people describe an ongoing inner critic that constantly questions their worth, magnifies mistakes, or sets impossible standards.
These negative self-beliefs are not signs of weakness or personal failure. They are often the result of repeated experiences that shaped how a person learned to view themselves during critical developmental years.
Through trauma-informed therapy, individuals can begin identifying these beliefs, understanding where they came from, and developing a more balanced, compassionate, and accurate sense of self.
Our Trauma Specialties
We specialize in helping high achievers heal from trauma, PTSD & CPTSD to thrive and fully connect with themselves and others.
We have expertise in the following:
Childhood Trauma/Abuse (emotional neglect, physical and emotional abuse)
Sexual Abuse or Assault (in childhood and/or adulthood)
Identity-based trauma (discrimination or maltreatment due to your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and disabilities).
Medical Trauma (childbirth, chronic illness, cancer survivorship, neurologic & autoimmune issues)
Relational Trauma (relationships & attachment, narcissistic abuse, grief/loss)
Domestic violence
Grief following traumatic events
Trauma-related anxiety and panic
Perfectionism and people pleasing related to trauma
TESTIMONIALS
Trauma Therapy With EMTG
Living with PTSD or Complex PTSD can feel exhausting. Many people spend years trying to manage symptoms on their own without realizing how deeply trauma can affect their emotions, relationships, self-esteem, and nervous system.
Healing from trauma is not about forgetting what happened or forcing yourself to “move on.” It is about understanding how past experiences continue to affect your life today and developing new ways to respond to those experiences with greater safety, self-compassion, and resilience. Here’s what we’ll focus on:
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Learn about how trauma affects your mind and body, and why it’s been so hard to move past it.
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We’ll identify the "stuck points" in your thinking, such as “I’m bad” or “It’s my fault,” and work through these distorted beliefs.
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Together, we’ll develop healthier ways to manage triggers and anxiety. We’ll also work on identifying and managing emotional flashbacks
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Telling your story in a safe space helps you make sense of what happened and begin the healing process.
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Gradually, we’ll confront the things you’ve been avoiding because of the trauma, allowing you to reclaim parts of your life.
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Whether it’s feeling safe in your body, in your relationships, or in your surroundings, we’ll work on restoring your sense of security.
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We will highlight the effects of unsafe attachments and relationships or unmet emotional needs that can give insight into the patterns or assumptions you may hold today so you can change them.
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For many survivors of complex trauma, therapy also involves learning skills that may not have been modeled during childhood, such as recognizing emotions, communicating needs, trusting others, and developing a healthier relationship with yourself.
Therapeutic Techniques We Use
Our approach to trauma therapy is integrative, using a blend of evidence-based practices that target both the mind and body:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you challenge unhelpful thinking patterns.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a specialized form of CBT for trauma, addresses beliefs tied to your trauma like guilt, shame, or a lack of trust.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills to manage intense emotions and develop emotional regulation.
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an approach designed to help children and adolescents, integrating parents into the healing process when appropriate.
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on making connections between past experiences and their impact on your sense of self or relationships today.
Results From Trauma Therapy
Our clients report:
The ability to sleep again
Fewer or no more nightmares or flashbacks
Releasing feelings of guilt / shame
Rebuilding trust with others and forming healthier, more connected relationships
Changing unwanted relationship patterns such as people pleasing tendencies
Feeling grounded and more at peace in their bodies
A sense of safety and control over their life
Increase in self-esteem and self-worth and new confidence in who they are
Feeling more self-acceptance and living life based on personal values not others’ expectations/desires
With time, you’ll stop feeling like the trauma defines you, and instead, you’ll feel empowered and hopeful about the future.
About Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith
I’m a trauma survivor and trauma specialist with extensive experience helping both adults and children heal from trauma. I’m licensed for in-person therapy in NYC and virtual/online therapy in 41 states.
With a background in trauma research, I’ve spent years studying how trauma impacts the mind and body in childhood and adulthood. My dissertation focused on the physical effects of trauma, particularly how the body stays in a constant state of fight-or-flight, leading to chronic stress and inflammation which is linked to dozens of medical conditions. I’ve worked at trauma-focused treatment centers, including the Regional Diagnostic Treatment Center for Child Abuse, supporting children and families impacted by child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect and violence.
I also have experience in medical trauma, having worked in dozens of various hospital settings, including a cancer institute with survivors facing long-term emotional and physical effects of their treatment. Additionally, I have expertise in providing trauma treatment to those who are neurodiverse. My practice is informed by a deep understanding of how trauma impacts both the body and mind, and how healing needs to be holistic and tailored to one’s unique needs.
Education
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Seton Hall University (Health Psychology & Child/Adolescent Focus)
Psychology Residency, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center
MS in Forensic Psychology, Walden University
Medical School (3 years), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School
BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Credentials
Certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Expertise in relational trauma, childhood trauma, medical trauma, and complex PTSD
Over a decade of experience working with trauma survivors in clinical and research settings
About Vernee Brooks, LPC, LMHC
As a survivor of childhood sexual trauma and other traumas in young adulthood, I have been where you are. I have 10 years of extensive experience helping adults heal from trauma- licensed for therapy in New York, New Jersey & Texas.
The traumas I experienced caused a multitude of trauma responses leading to low self worth, difficulty acquiring and maintaining healthy romantic relationships, people pleasing behaviors and a host of others. That is, until I healed that part of my story. Now, I have spent the last decade aiding others in growing through the scars that trauma leaves behind.
With these years in the field, I have honed my skills in various trauma-informed therapeutic techniques. During this time I worked in Mental Hospitals, Group settings, Inpatient and Outpatient facilities and in home. I help people identify, process, and grow through their past traumas and uncover who they were meant to be outside of their normal reactions to these abnormal events.
Our past traumas do not define us… let’s get to work!
Education
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University
BA in Psychology, Rutgers University
Credentials
Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Expertise in relational trauma, childhood trauma, narcissistic parents, and complex PTSD
Over a decade of experience working with trauma survivors in various clinical settings
About Christine Pacheco, LMSW
I am licensed for therapy in New York.
As someone who’s done her own inner work, I know healing isn’t about perfection. I know this work isn’t just theoretical. I’ve navigated my own struggles and understand how deeply attachment wounds and family conflict can shape the way we see ourselves and relate to others. That lived experience informs how I show up with my clients—with empathy, patience, and a deep respect for how hard this work can be. I support people as they untangle long-standing family dynamics, heal attachment trauma, and learn new ways of connecting that feel safer and more authentic. Therapy, in my view, is a collaborative space where real healing happens when you feel understood, supported, and not alone in the process.
Education
Master of Social Work, Fordham University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Brooklyn College
Credentials
Certified in Trauma-Focused CBT
Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-based therapy, Person-Centered therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for trauma.
Expertise in integration of EMDR & IFS (internal family systems)
Getting Started Together
Many individuals living with PTSD or Complex PTSD worry that they will always feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or trapped in old patterns.
Healing is possible.
With the right support, individuals can learn to understand their trauma responses, develop new coping skills, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful change. We’ll meet you where you are—whether you’ve never spoken about your trauma before, or you’ve been in therapy for years but are still struggling. Our approach is compassionate and collaborative, with a focus on building trust in the therapeutic relationship. Our connection will be one that is authentic and real in which you’ll feel seen, heard and understood.
You don’t have to continue feeling trapped by your past. Trauma therapy can help you feel safe, confident, and free to live the life you were meant to.
NOT READY FOR INDIVIDUAL THERAPY?
No worries- we are also running trauma groups this summer including: 1) ADULT CHILDREN OF NARCISSISTS and 2) DATING GROUP for TRAUMA SURVIVORS. If interested in any of these groups, fill out consult form and we can discuss more.
Trauma, CPTSD & PTSD
FAQs
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C-PTSD is characterized by core features of PTSD, in addition to difficulty with emotion regulation, a persistently negative sense of self, and chronic difficulty in relationships. C-PTSD often occurs after repeated and prolonged exposure or experience of traumatic events, often starting in childhood where escape from the situation was not possible. C-PTSD is not a universally accepted diagnosis - it was only accepted to the ICD-11 in 2018. It recognizes that someone’s experience of trauma may not have a beginning and end, and they must manage the effects of enduring trauma compounded over time.
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Absolutely. Having flashbacks can be really disorienting and terrifying, and it feels even worse if you don’t understand why it’s happening. Sometimes the things you are trying to manage your flashbacks may be unintentionally making them worse. Sometimes we avoid things that might trigger the flashbacks which can really limit your quality of life. By getting professional support on what is happening and learning how to respond in healthy ways, you can regain a sense of control of your body and emotions.
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Flashbacks and nightmares are some common signs of PTSD; however, trauma doesn’t automatically mean PTSD. PTSD is a specific diagnosis given to people who experience a specific combination of active symptoms for over a month following a traumatic event. A trauma isn’t limited to one kind of experience. Sometimes while you are going through something, it doesn’t seem like that big a deal. Calling it “trauma” might feel like overkill—but trauma comes in all shapes and sizes. Anything that has a lasting negative emotional impact can be traumatic. It’s how YOU experienced it.
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Yes! Even if your trauma(s) happened years ago and you’re in a very different place in life, therapy can still be helpful. Sometimes the effects of trauma are obvious, while sometimes they are not—learning more about the range of ways trauma can affect us, can be very illuminating to what you’re going through. Having an outside person give you a different perspective can really help you connect the dots.
Additionally, even though trauma might not impact you right now, certain life experiences/stressors can trigger it such as new relationships, parenthood, grief. When you’re proactive and get the support ahead of time, it helps so that when big life changes occur—your unresolved traumas don’t come out of nowhere. -
Absolutely not. It’s normal to have trouble moving past things that have happened. Nothing is wrong with you. Often people use distraction, avoidance, workaholism to cope but those only provide temporary relief. You just need support in helping you cope with what happened in a healthy way that's sustainable.
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Talking about unresolved trauma may feel painful and bring up a lot of intense feelings at first, but these feelings lessen over time as you learn to process and cope with support.