Trauma Therapy
therapy for trauma
Trauma is what happens when overwhelming experiences leave us feeling unsafe, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode.
We provide trauma therapy in Bozeman and online across Montana for those needing support processing trauma at a pace that feels safe and grounded. Whether the trauma is recent or something you experienced long ago, our therapists are here to walk alongside you. When trauma responses persist over time, they may develop into PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). With the right support, healing is possible.
Signs Trauma May Be Impacting You
Trauma can affect your thoughts, nervous system, sleep, relationships, and sense of safety. People seeking therapy for trauma often reach out because they are experiencing symptoms such as:
Flashbacks or Intrusive Thoughts: Reliving the traumatic event or having uncontrollable, distressing memories.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks: A heightened sense of fear or anxiety, even when there is no immediate threat.
Hypervigilance: Constantly feeling on edge, overly alert, or easily startled.
Avoidance: Avoiding situations, places, or people that are reminders of the trauma.
Depression or Numbness: Feeling detached from reality, a loss of interest in activities, or overwhelming sadness.
Difficulty Trusting Others: Struggling to trust people, often because of past betrayals or harm.
Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having nightmares related to the traumatic event.
Substance Abuse: Using alcohol or drugs as a way to numb or escape the pain of the trauma.
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach issues, chronic pain, or other stress-related ailments.
Self-Blame and Guilt: Feeling responsible for what happened, even if it wasn’t your fault.
How We Work with Trauma
Trauma isn't just what happened—it's how it lingers in your body and mind. Depending on your needs, your therapist may help you work with trauma in the body, identify trauma-related thought patterns, and build safety, trust, and regulation over time.
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Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Therapy focuses on the body's sensations and the way trauma is stored physically in the nervous system. Through gentle, controlled techniques, the therapist helps the individual safely complete natural fight, flight, or freeze responses, allowing the nervous system to restore balance and well being.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT can help identify and challenge negative beliefs, such as feeling unworthy, unsafe, or helpless. By changing these thoughts and developing healthier coping mechanisms, you can reduce feelings of anxiety, guilt, and depression, and learn to cope more effectively.
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Trauma-Informed Counseling
Trauma-informed counseling is an approach that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma while prioritizing safety, trust, and respect in the healing process. A trauma-informed therapist will not encourage processing until you are ready, and will focus on creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where healing can take place.
Our Bozeman Trauma Therapists
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Lauren Boland, LCSW
In our work together, I’ll call into action the knowledge and strategies from somatic, mindfulness, attachment, and developmental theories for your work in anxiety, transitions, neurodivergence, and trauma.
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Sarah Webb, LCSW
I work with burnout, anxiety, rage, postpartum, birth trauma, attachment, and healthy coping in women. With expert training in Somatic, Mindfulness, and Attachment, I get to the core quickly so therapy has big impact.
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Logan Shrader, LCSW
I work with children ages 6 to 16 to build skills and strategies for thriving in school and family. I specialize in play therapy, CBT, and attachment, as well as supporting neurodivergence. I also work with men who are new to the “dad” role.
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Tori Kenyon McKay, LCSW
I have a naturally playful and professional approach. My clinical past has allowed me to develop confidence and skills working with all genders ages 16 to 35. I feel at my most skilled when I’m working with life transitions, trauma, anxiety, and depression.
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Becky Johnston, LCSW
I create a relaxed and casual space for adult women navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, burnout, or big life changes. If you're feeling stuck, I’m here to help you feel more like you and create the path to a future that looks inviting.
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Ellie Jorgensen, LCPC
I work with adults and children to navigate life’s twists and turns. I specialize in synergetic play therapy, CBT, and ERP, focusing on challenges like childhood behavioral concerns, attachment, postpartum depression, trauma, anxiety, and OCD.
Our therapists are “Neurodiverse Informed”, which is to say that we all have training and skills to work with a range of folks on the neurodiverse spectrum from ADD/ADHD, gifted, and high functioning autism. We fully celebrate the Neuro-Spicey and the Bright and Quirky!
“profound insights…”
“This experience taught me that feeling the sensations in my body that accompany my emotional distress can give me profound insights that help me on my journey to better mental health.”
— ILLUMINATE CLIENT
Frequently Asked Trauma Therapy Questions
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma therapy?
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No. You do not need a formal PTSD diagnosis to begin trauma therapy. Many people seek support because they feel reactive, on edge, disconnected, or chronically overwhelmed. A therapist can help you understand what you are experiencing and what kind of support fits.
What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
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Trauma is the experience of something overwhelming, frightening, or deeply distressing that impacts the nervous system and daily functioning. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health diagnosis that can develop after a traumatic event and symptoms last over time, significantly interfering with all aspects of life. In other words, not everyone who has experienced trauma has PTSD, but trauma can still have lasting effects and still deserve care.
Can trauma therapy help if what happened was long ago?
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Yes. Trauma therapy can still help, even if what happened was years ago. Some people notice that old experiences continue to affect relationships, sleep, mood, sense of safety, or how their body responds to stress. Treatment can still be effective long after the original event, and it is not too late to start.
Curious about trauma therapy?
Whether you're healing from trauma or PTSD, or need a safe place to process what happened, our team is here to help.