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Therapists answer…

How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?

Stacy HuddlestonS

Stacy Huddleston

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Therapist
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
I support clients with trauma and PTSD by creating a safe, compassionate space to process their experiences. I use evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, and ACT to help reduce symptoms, teach grounding and coping skills, and work toward healing and reclaiming a sense of control.
My path to becoming a therapist is deeply personal. Over the years, I have experienced grief, loss, divorce, trauma, abuse, and major life transitions in my own journey. These experiences not only shaped my understanding of suffering but also deepened my heart for walking with others who find themselves in painful or uncertain seasons. I know firsthand how overwhelming life can feel, and I also see the hope and restoration that can come through faith, healing, and connection. In addition to my personal journey, I have spent many years as a social worker in the hospice field, supporting individuals and families through end-of-life care, loss, and the grieving process. These experiences deepened my calling to create a safe and compassionate space for people in their most vulnerable moments. They also strengthened my belief that healing is possible even in seasons of sorrow, especially when we lean on faith and community. Today, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in supporting individuals through grief, loss, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and faith-centered—grounded in the belief that every person is created in God’s image and deeply loved by Him. At Connect & Restore Therapy, I blend evidence-based practices with Christian values, offering a safe space where you can process your story, rediscover your strength, and move forward with clarity and peace. It is my privilege to walk alongside you, not only as a therapist but also as someone who has walked through valleys and experienced God’s grace and renewal firsthand. Together, we can lean into hope and pursue the healing and restoration God desires for your life. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Shannon BhagwandienS

Shannon Bhagwandien

LPC
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
What's your approach to trauma and PTSD, and what does progress look like for clients?
My approach is characterized by an eclectic style that integrates Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), mindfulness-based techniques, and other customized elements, such as parts work, to alleviate PTSD symptoms. In simpler terms, I enjoy merging aspects from each of these methods, aiming to reshape beliefs formed from traumatic experiences into more adaptable and useful perspectives for daily life. This involves paying attention to physical sensations to lessen the activation caused by trauma-related beliefs (e.g., rapid heartbeat, chest tightness) and focusing on conflicting emotions to bring them into harmony and reduce confusion. Progress in this journey varies for each individual; some may first notice a decrease in physical reactions to trauma triggers before experiencing a shift in feelings about themselves or others. We anticipate subtle yet powerful changes that collectively lead to a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms.
I incorporate my trauma-informed training in all of my sessions to extents only to which my clients are comfortable. I utilize a client-centered approach and interventions that come from other basic trainings I've participated in over the years (e.g., IFS, DBT, etc.) to best support your path to healing, growth, and beyond. My clients find the relaxed nature of their sessions with me to be calming and welcoming for any feelings or thoughts to be shared and talked about.
Tracie DuncanT

Tracie Duncan

LPC
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
What's your approach to trauma and PTSD, and what does progress look like for clients?
My approach to trauma and PTSD is compassionate, trauma-informed, and focused on helping you feel safe and supported throughout the healing process. I recognize that trauma can affect the mind, body, emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Together, we work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, building trust and stability while exploring the experiences and patterns that may be affecting your life today. Progress can look different for everyone. It may include feeling safer in your body, understanding your triggers, managing difficult emotions, improving relationships, developing healthier coping strategies, and feeling more connected to yourself and your life. My goal is not to rush your healing, but to support you in reclaiming your sense of strength, choice, and hope.
I have a deep passion for helping individuals navigate life's toughest challenges and I bring a unique combination of personal experience, professional expertise and a holistic approach to the counseling process, As a survivor of childhood trauma and domestic violence, and as the daughter of a combat Army veteran who struggled with PTSD, I intimately understand the impact that trauma, grief, and mental health struggles can have on every part of your life, Working collaboratively with clients to empower them to reclaim their lives. Helping individuals or couples heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and PTSD. My approach is trauma-informed, all while creating a warm, safe, and compassionate space for clients to explore and heal at their own pace. With the belief that lasting change happens when we address the root causes of suffering, not just the symptoms. I believe in addressing trauma from all angles — body, mind, and spirit. We cannot truly heal one part of ourselves while neglecting the rest. Whether you are facing challenges related to trauma, anxiety, depression, parental alienation, or grief, I am here to support you with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to your healing journey.
Gabrielle CarvajalG

Gabrielle Carvajal

LPC-A
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
What's your approach to trauma and PTSD, and what does progress look like for clients?
I take a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that honors each client’s lived experience, identity, and individual pace. We work together to understand how trauma may be affecting your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and sense of safety while building practical tools for coping and regulation. Progress may look like feeling more grounded, recognizing triggers, developing greater self-compassion, strengthening relationships, and feeling more empowered in your daily life.
I am an LGBTQIA+ and neuro affirming counselor. I work with teenagers, adults, and children (case-by-case basis). I have extensive experience working with individuals with eating disorders (especially binge eating and those with varied disordered eating habits). I also work in the areas of trauma, ADHD, adult autism, anxiety, depression, bipolar, life transitions, identity exploration, and disenfranchised grief/loss. My counseling approach is de-colonial, strengths-based, and rooted in relational cultural therapy. I believe human growth occurs through safe, mutual connections, while honoring a person’s cultural experience through individual and broader systemic lenses. By the same token, I believe diagnosing holds its value and utilize evidence-based diagnosis when appropriate. I integrate counseling interventions to fit my clients’ needs. I have experience utilizing CBT, ACT, DBT, attachment theory, somatic therapy, and expressive therapy, such as art and gardening. **I operate on a sliding scale fee basis, so rates are flexible with a minimum of $50 per session.
Kadrea ForteK

Kadrea Forte

LMFT
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
What's your approach to trauma and PTSD, and what does progress look like for clients?
I take a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that focuses on creating safety, understanding the root of what you’re experiencing, and moving at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Using approaches such as IFS, CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and compassion-focused therapy, we can gently explore difficult experiences while building healthy coping tools. Progress may look like feeling more grounded, understanding yourself more deeply, managing triggers with greater confidence, and feeling more empowered in your relationships and daily life.
Are you experiencing any challenges or roadblocks that life is throwing at you right now? Are you in need of a safe sanctuary with non judgmental support through anxieties,fears,or traumas? Do you find it hard to manage your interpersonal relationships, work,and fit in self care? Seeking therapy can feel so scary, it takes so much courage and strength to step out of your comfort zone. My job is to be on the passenger side of your therapy journey, helping you find the answers within, and giving you tools to support you along the way. I am open minded, empathetic, compassionate,and have a non judgemental approach to care. I can help you find the root of your problems and dive deep to support you with finding the answers within. I like to challenge my clients, but utilizing a gentle approach. I am certified in mindfulness practices and I lean into a holistic/spiritual lens to mental health Care. I consider myself eclectic and utilize several theoretical approaches to care such as :CBT,ACT,IFS, and compassion focused.
Kirk HendersonK

Kirk Henderson

LPC
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
What's your approach to trauma and PTSD, and what does progress look like for clients?
My approach to trauma is compassionate, structured, and focused on creating a sense of safety and trust. I recognize that trauma can affect how we think, feel, relate to others, and respond to situations long after the original experience has passed. I use evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy, to help clients process difficult experiences and develop healthier ways of responding. Progress looks different for everyone. For some, it may mean feeling less overwhelmed by memories or triggers; for others, it may involve rebuilding trust, improving relationships, developing stronger emotional regulation, or feeling more confident and present in daily life. We move at a pace that feels manageable, with the goal of helping you gain greater understanding, resilience, and a renewed sense of control over your life.
Kirk Henderson, LPC-MHSP | CCTS-I I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist based in Spring Hill, Tennessee. My wife Lesley and I have been married 39 years, and together we're proud parents of three grown children and grandparents to grandson Asher. I bring over 30 years of pastoral ministry experience to my work, along with professional counseling practice since 2017. I specialize in helping clients navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, narcissistic abuse recovery, and major life transitions such as separation, divorce, and infidelity recovery. To help clients process trauma and work toward lasting change, I utilize evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Narrative Therapy. For clients who desire a faith-integrated approach, I'm happy to incorporate that into our work together — though I warmly welcome and support clients from all backgrounds and beliefs. Whatever brings you through the door, my goal is to walk alongside you toward healing, wholeness, and clarity of direction. Find out more at www.hendersoncounseling.net