Trauma

You’ve survived so much.

You don’t have to carry it alone anymore.

Trauma can leave you feeling lost in survival mode. Healing can help you find solid ground again.

Trauma can leave you feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you—hypervigilance, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, numbness, self-criticism, relationship struggles, exhaustion, or a persistent sense that your nervous system never fully relaxes.

At The Heights Counseling and Wellness, we provide trauma-focused therapy for adults in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and via telehealth throughout Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and deeply personalized because healing is not one-size-fits-all.

Whether your experiences involve childhood trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, relationship wounds, grief, chronic stress, medical trauma, or longstanding patterns rooted in survival, therapy can help you reconnect with yourself, your body, your relationships, and your life.

A Personalized, Integrative Approach to Trauma Healing

Trauma affects the mind, body, emotions, beliefs, relationships, and nervous system. Because of this, healing often requires more than one approach.

At The Heights Counseling & Wellness, trauma therapy may integrate multiple evidence-based modalities depending on your needs, goals, and readiness. Together, we create a treatment plan that supports both symptom relief and deeper, lasting healing.

Trauma Therapies at The Heights

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps the brain process distressing memories so they no longer feel emotionally overwhelming. EMDR can reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic experiences while helping you build greater clarity, resilience, and self-trust.

    EMDR may help with:

    • PTSD and complex trauma

    • Anxiety and panic

    • Childhood trauma

    • Relationship wounds

    • Negative self-beliefs

    • Grief and loss

  • IFS therapy helps you understand and heal the different “parts” of yourself that developed in response to life experiences. Instead of fighting against anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, or emotional overwhelm, IFS helps you approach these experiences with compassion and curiosity.

    IFS can support:

    • Trauma recovery

    • Emotional regulation

    • Self-worth and identity healing

    • Relationship patterns

    • Inner conflict and shame

  • Trauma is not only stored in thoughts and memories—it also lives in the body and nervous system. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy helps you become more aware of physical sensations, survival responses, and nervous system patterns so healing can happen on both emotional and physiological levels.

    This approach may help if you experience:

    • Chronic tension or shutdown

    • Dissociation

    • Hypervigilance

    • Anxiety stored in the body

    • Difficulty feeling safe or grounded

  • Deep Brain Reorienting is a gentle, neuroscience-informed therapy that works with the brain’s survival system to help process deeply rooted trauma responses. DBR focuses on the nervous system patterns underneath fight, flight, freeze, and overwhelm.

    DBR may support healing from:

    • PTSD and developmental trauma

    • Chronic stress

    • Emotional numbness

    • Shame and fear responses

    • Nervous system dysregulation

  • CPT is a structured, evidence-based trauma therapy that helps you identify and challenge beliefs that may have formed after traumatic experiences. Together, we examine how trauma may have changed the way you see yourself, others, and the world.

    CPT can help with:

    • PTSD symptoms

    • Shame and guilt

    • Avoidance patterns

    • Negative self-beliefs

    • Anxiety and depression

  • Written Exposure Therapy is a structured trauma treatment that uses guided writing to help process traumatic experiences safely and effectively. WET can help reduce avoidance and emotional distress while building greater resilience and understanding.

  • Clinical Hypnosis is a collaborative, evidence-informed approach that uses focused attention and relaxation to support healing, emotional regulation, and positive change. You remain aware and in control throughout the process.

    Clinical Hypnosis may support:

    • Trauma and PTSD

    • Anxiety and panic

    • Stress reduction

    • Habit change

    • Emotional regulation

    • Confidence and resilience

  • Sometimes experiences are difficult to put into words. Trauma-Focused Art Therapy uses creative expression to help process emotions, increase self-awareness, and support nervous system regulation in a safe and supportive environment.

    No artistic experience is required.

  • Trauma often leaves behind harsh self-criticism, shame, and emotional exhaustion. Self-Compassion Therapy helps you develop a more supportive relationship with yourself through mindfulness, emotional awareness, and self-kindness.

    This work can help you:

    • Reduce self-criticism

    • Build emotional resilience

    • Improve self-worth

    • Strengthen coping skills

    • Feel more connected and grounded

  • Trauma can deeply impact your sense of meaning, identity, and purpose. Meaning Centered Psychotherapy helps you reconnect with what matters most while building resilience, hope, and a greater sense of direction.

  • Biofeedback helps you better understand how your body responds to stress and teaches practical skills for nervous system regulation. Using real-time physiological feedback, biofeedback can help improve awareness, regulation, and resilience.

    Biofeedback may help with:

    • Anxiety and panic

    • Stress and burnout

    • Trauma symptoms

    • Sleep difficulties

    • Chronic pain

    • Emotional regulation

  • Trauma can affect your relationship with food, stress, energy, digestion, and body awareness. Trauma-Informed Nutrition Therapy recognizes the connection between emotional well-being, nervous system regulation, and physical health.

    This approach focuses on nourishment, flexibility, self-trust, and compassionate support—not shame or perfectionism.

  • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy combines ketamine medicine sessions with integrative psychotherapy to support emotional healing, increased flexibility, and meaningful insight. KAP may help individuals who feel stuck in longstanding patterns or who have not found relief through traditional approaches alone.

    KAP may support:

    • Trauma and PTSD

    • Anxiety and depression

    • Emotional numbness

    • Chronic stress

    • Existential distress

    • Self-worth and relationship challenges

Trauma Therapy That Honors Your Pace

Healing from trauma is not about “getting over it.” It’s about creating safety, connection, resilience, and the ability to move through life with greater freedom and self-understanding.

At The Heights Counseling & Wellness, therapy is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to you. We move at a pace that feels supportive—not overwhelming.

You do not have to carry everything alone.

What Trauma Therapy Can Help With

Trauma therapy may support healing from:

  • PTSD and complex trauma

  • Childhood trauma

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Emotional overwhelm

  • Dissociation

  • Shame and self-criticism

  • Burnout and chronic stress

  • Grief and loss

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Nervous system dysregulation

  • Low self-worth

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Emotional numbness

  • Life transitions

What to expect at The Heights Counseling and Wellness

Therapy is collaborative, intentional, and paced to your needs.

Sessions are focused not just on insight—but on helping you experience meaningful, lasting change.

  • In-person sessions in Sewickley, PA

  • Telehealth available in Pennsylvania and Washington, DC

  • Adults age 20+

  • Self-pay practice (superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement)

ready to get started?

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for a different approach to therapy, the trauma therapies at The Heights Counseling and Wellness may be a good next step.

You don’t have to keep carrying this the same way.

There is a way forward—one that unfolds at your pace.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if it feels like a fit.

  • “Kristen's innovative use of techniques like EMDR has been transformative in addressing my past trauma, helping me to navigate my emotions with greater self-compassion. Her tailored approach has empowered me to better manage my depression and anxiety, fostering resilience in the face of life's challenges.”

    -M.S.

  • “Kristen has been the constant I've needed over the years - working with me through the peaks and valleys of my life. Her expertise, guidance, and encouragement has helped me to grow in life changing ways emotionally and spiritually. I actually look forward to counseling sessions with Kristen!”

    -D.S.

  • "Working with Kristen has helped me gain invaluable insights into myself, giving me a deeper understanding of my thoughts and emotions. Her guidance and strategies have empowered me to manage my anxiety better and navigate life with more confidence and clarity."

    -T.C.

Get started today.