f you've been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or suspect you might have it, you may be wondering: What is the treatment for PTSD and can therapy truly help? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition, but it's also highly treatable
At A New Start Counseling in San Antonio, we specialize in trauma-informed counseling, including EMDR therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and online PTSD treatment. Understanding your treatment options, including where to get trauma therapy in San Antonio or find providers who offer trauma therapy, can help you make informed decisions about your healing journey and determine when to see a therapist and is the first step toward healing and regaining control of your life. Whether you're coping with trauma from combat, assault, accidents, or childhood experiences, evidence-based treatments like EMDR online therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for trauma have helped millions reclaim their lives. If you've been asking, “Do I need therapy?” because of persistent trauma symptoms, learning about effective treatments can provide both hope and direction.
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This can occur through:
Direct experience
Witnessing trauma happen to others
Learning it happened to a close family member or friend
Repeated exposure to traumatic details (common for first responders or healthcare workers)
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. However, when symptoms last more than a month and significantly interfere with daily life, PTSD may be the diagnosis. Complex PTSD resulting from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood—can include additional symptoms such as emotional dysregulation, low self-worth, and interpersonal difficulties.
Common PTSD Symptoms
PTSD symptoms fall into four primary categories:
Intrusive Memories: flashbacks, nightmares, distressing memories, or strong emotional reactions to reminders
Avoidance: steering clear of thoughts, feelings, people, or places connected to the trauma
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: persistent negative beliefs, self-blame, emotional numbness, detachment, or loss of interest
Changes in Arousal and Reactivity: irritability, angry outbursts, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, sleep issues, or concentration problems
If these symptoms are interfering with your relationships, work, or daily functioning, it may be time to seek professional trauma counseling.
What Is the Treatment for PTSD? Evidence-Based Approaches
The good news is that PTSD is one of the most researched mental health conditions, and we have strong evidence on what treatments work. The most effective therapies help you process the traumatic memory so it no longer holds power over your emotions and daily life.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is among the most effective treatments for PTSD—and with EMDR online therapy, more people can now access it conveniently. Traumatic memories can become “stuck” in the nervous system, remaining unprocessed and continuing to trigger distress. In EMDR sessions, your therapist guides you to recall the traumatic event while engaging in bilateral stimulation—through eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity. Many clients describe the memory as feeling “in the past” rather than something happening in the present.
Key Benefits of EMDR:
No need to verbalize trauma details extensively
Highly effective for both recent and long-term trauma
Proven effective in both in-person and virtual trauma therapy formats
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Trauma
Trauma-focused CBT helps you identify and change the thought patterns and behaviors that maintain PTSD symptoms. In CBT for trauma, you will:
Understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts and reactions
Identify distorted beliefs like “I’m never safe” or “It was my fault”
Learn coping skills for anxiety, anger, and emotional distress
Gradually face trauma-related memories and situations
Develop a more balanced, reality-based perspective on your experiences
This structured, skills-based approach empowers you to rebuild confidence and resume activities you’ve avoided.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy
Prolonged Exposure Therapy is another evidence-based method proven to reduce PTSD symptoms. It’s based on the principle that avoidance maintains fear. Through PE, you gradually and safely confront trauma reminders under professional guidance. You’ll revisit the traumatic memory in a controlled way, helping your brain process it and reduce its power. While the idea of revisiting trauma can seem intimidating, PE is highly collaborative and paced to your readiness. Research consistently shows strong, lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy combines cognitive restructuring with trauma processing. It focuses on identifying “stuck points”—unhelpful beliefs formed after trauma. Common stuck points include excessive guilt, self-blame, or mistrust. Through structured exercises and therapeutic dialogue, CPT helps you challenge these beliefs and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives. Writing about the trauma and its impact is often part of CPT, helping you integrate the experience and move toward acceptance and empowerment.
Trauma-Focused Mindfulness Approaches
While mindfulness alone isn’t a full PTSD treatment, trauma-informed mindfulness practices can support recovery. Mindfulness helps you:
Stay grounded in the present moment
Manage emotional intensity
Reduce hypervigilance
Strengthen your mind-body connection
These techniques are often used alongside EMDR, CBT, or PE to enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Medication for PTSD
Therapy is the cornerstone of PTSD treatment, but medication can be a helpful complement. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to help reduce depression, anxiety, and hyperarousal. Medication can make symptoms more manageable while you engage in therapy. Your therapist and prescriber can work together to determine whether medication would benefit your specific situation.
What to Expect in PTSD Treatment
Many people hesitate to begin treatment because they’re unsure what to expect. Here are answers to common questions:
Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail?
Not always. In EMDR, you don’t need to describe trauma in detail. In PE or CPT, memories are revisited gradually and safely.
Can therapy make me feel worse before it gets better?
Processing trauma can temporarily increase distress, but with a trauma-informed therapist, this is managed carefully and leads to lasting healing.
When will I notice improvements?
Many people experience symptom reduction within the first few months of consistent treatment. Over time, triggers lose their intensity and daily functioning improves.
Finding the Right Trauma Therapist
When searching for “trauma therapist near me” or “trauma counseling San Antonio,” ensure your therapist has specialized training in trauma treatment.
Ask questions such as:
What trauma-specific training do you have?
What evidence-based methods do you use?
How do you ensure emotional safety during trauma work?
Do you offer EMDR online therapy or other virtual options?
Is Trauma Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover evidence-based PTSD treatment, including EMDR, CBT, and PE. At A New Start Counseling, we accept: AETNA • Blue Cross Blue Shield • UnitedHealthcare • Cigna • Humana • Medicare • Medicaid • and many other insurance plans. Our team can verify your benefits and help make treatment affordable and accessible.
The Importance of Specialized Trauma Training
Not all therapists are trained in trauma work. For effective PTSD treatment, look for a provider trained in EMDR, CPT, PE, or trauma-focused CBT who practices with trauma-informed principles—prioritizing safety, empowerment, and trust.
When to See a Therapist for PTSD
It may be time to seek trauma counseling if you are:
Avoiding reminders of the trauma
Experiencing frequent nightmares or flashbacks
Feeling on edge or hypervigilant
Struggling with relationships or work
Using substances to cope
Experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts
You don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis—early intervention leads to better outcomes and a faster path to recovery.
Taking the First Step Toward Healing
Understanding treatment options is the first step. Taking action is the next. At A New Start Counseling in San Antonio, our trauma-informed therapists specialize in helping clients heal from PTSD and complex trauma. We offer:
EMDR online therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for trauma
Prolonged Exposure
Cognitive Processing Therapy
In-person and virtual trauma therapy
Our team provides compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive environment—with flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends. We accept most major insurance plans and can help verify your coverage. Contact A New Start Counseling today at (210) 705-1749 or visit www.anscounseling.com to schedule your first appointment.
PTSD is treatable. You don’t have to continue suffering—healing and peace are possible. Reach out today and begin your path toward recovery.