Sacramento Trauma Therapy  and PTSD Counseling

Trauma can shake your foundation and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, others, or the present moment. But therapy can help you begin to feel whole again. Our experienced trauma therapists offer personalized care for those looking to heal from the past and build stronger connections in daily life.

Trauma Counseling That Meets You Where You Are

Trauma can show up in many forms: emotional shutdown, panic, flashbacks, or trust issues that won't let up. We don't rush your process or make assumptions. Our therapists work with what feels safe, helping you move at a pace that supports healing rather than retraumatization. You're not expected to tell everything right away. Instead, we build safety together. Many clients come in unsure if what they experienced "counts" as trauma. If something continues to affect your daily life, it matters, and we will meet you there.

Help for PTSD, Complex Trauma, and More

Some trauma stems from a single event, but oftentimes, it does not. Ongoing childhood stress, emotional neglect, chronic illness, sexual assault, or toxic relationships can have deep and lasting effects. Whether you've been formally diagnosed with PTSD or have just started to recognize the symptoms-nightmares, hypervigilance, dissociation, or chronic fear-we take your concerns seriously. Our work helps you begin to reconnect with your body, reduce symptoms, and begin to reclaim a sense of safety that may have felt unreachable.

What Trauma Therapy Looks Like

Trauma therapy focuses on helping you understand how past experiences continue to shape your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. We use relational, narrative, and insight-oriented approaches rooted in trauma-informed care. Sessions may include identifying triggers, exploring meaning, processing painful memories, and developing safer patterns in daily life. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that respects your pace and comfort level, ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout the healing journey.

The Impact of Trauma on Daily Life

You may not always connect your current struggles to trauma, especially when those patterns have followed you for years. Chronic anxiety, irritability, insomnia, panic attacks, or difficulty concentrating are common signs. Some people feel numb and detached; others feel overwhelmed by emotion. Trauma can shape your worldview and influence how you respond to stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Understanding that these responses are adaptations—not flaws—is a powerful part of the healing process.

Rebuilding Connection  and Trust

Trauma often makes it hard to feel close to others. It can interfere with intimacy, increase conflict, or cause you to withdraw from people you care about. If you've been through betrayal, violence, or abandonment, those wounds can affect how you trust, how you argue, and how you ask for help. We support individuals, couples, and families in navigating these dynamics. For some, that means learning how to communicate more openly. For others, it's about building a relationship with yourself that feels safe and steady again.

You Deserve a Better Trauma Therapy Experience

We offer consultations, therapist matching, and future group sessions (in addition to traditional therapy sessions) to help you receive the kind of care that fits your life, your preferences, and your goals.

FAQs About Trauma and PTSD Therapy in Sacramento

• How Do I Know If Trauma Therapy Is Right for Me?

  If you're dealing with emotional reactivity, anxiety, sleep disruptions, or a sense that something painful still lingers, trauma therapy may help. You don't need a formal diagnosis. If part of you feels stuck or overwhelmed, therapy offers space to begin making sense of it.

• What Happens in a Trauma Therapy Session?

  Sessions look different for everyone. Some days focus on building coping tools or grounding techniques, while others may gently explore memories or emotional patterns. The process is collaborative, and we check in often to make sure it feels manageable.

• Do I Have to Talk About Everything Right Away?

  Not at all. You stay in charge of your story. Many people start with current symptoms or day-to-day struggles and only talk about past events when it feels safe to do so. There's no expectation to relive anything you're not ready to revisit.

• Can Trauma Therapy Help With Anxiety or Panic Attacks?

  Yes. Many people experience anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance after trauma. Therapy helps you notice the signs earlier, understand where they come from, and respond in ways that feel grounding instead of overwhelming.

• What If I Can't Remember Everything Clearly?

  That's okay. Traumatic memory can be fragmented or confusing. Therapy doesn't require a full timeline to be effective. We work with the feelings, sensations, and experiences that are available to you now.

• Is Trauma Therapy Only for Extreme or Life-Threatening Events?

  No. Trauma can come from many sources, including relational harm, emotional neglect, chronic stress, or experiences that felt overwhelming at the time. If something disrupted your sense of safety or connection, we take that seriously.

• How Do I Know If What I Experienced Was "Really Trauma"?

  If it still affects your relationships, sense of self, or day-to-day life, it matters. We don't gatekeep trauma. The work isn't about comparing pain—it's about understanding your response and finding ways to heal.

• What If I've Already Done Therapy Before?

  That's common. You may have developed skills but still feel unresolved in certain areas. Trauma therapy at Embrace can build on what you've already done and offer new perspectives or approaches.

• Can You Help With Dissociation or Feeling Numb?

  Yes. Numbness, disconnection, or feeling "checked out" are common trauma responses. We help you notice those patterns gently and explore ways to feel more present without becoming overwhelmed.

• Is Virtual Trauma Therapy Effective?

  Yes. For many clients, virtual therapy offers a sense of safety and control. We create a focused, private space where meaningful work still happens—even through a screen.

• Do You Work With Childhood Trauma or Long-Term Abuse?

  Yes. Our therapists have experience supporting clients through early trauma, family dysfunction, and long-term patterns of harm. We understand the complexity and hold space for it without rushing or minimizing your experience.

• Do You Take Insurance?

  We are a private-pay practice. However, we do provide superbills that many clients use to request out-of-network reimbursement. Therapist rates vary depending on experience and training.