Trauma Therapy in Virginia Beach
Trauma-informed therapy for adults navigating the lasting effects of difficult experiences. We offer compassionate, evidence-based care—including EMDR—to help you feel safer, more connected, and move forward with greater confidence.
EMDR Available
Virginia Beach
Telehealth Option
Insurance Accepted
Trauma can continue to affect you long after the event has passed.
Trauma isn't defined only by what happened to you—it's also about how your mind and body responded to experiences that felt overwhelming, frightening, or impossible to cope with. While some people develop symptoms immediately, others don't recognize the effects until months or even years later.
You may find yourself constantly on alert, avoiding certain situations, struggling to trust others, or feeling emotionally disconnected. Others experience anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, difficulty sleeping, or a persistent sense that something is "wrong," even when life appears stable.
These reactions are not signs of weakness. They are often the nervous system's attempt to protect you after experiencing something that felt unsafe. With the right support, your brain and body can begin to heal, allowing you to feel more present, connected, and in control of your life again. Evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, trauma-focused cognitive therapies, and other trauma-informed treatments can help reduce symptoms and support recovery.
You may recognize some of these experiences:
Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
Difficulty relaxing, even when you’re safe
Avoiding certain places, people, or memories
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
Panic attacks or persistent anxiety
Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Shame, guilt, or harsh self-criticism
Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships
Feeling “stuck” despite wanting to move forward
Healing is Possible
Healing from trauma doesn't mean forgetting what happened or pretending it didn't affect you. It means reducing the power those experiences continue to have over your daily life. With the right support, many people find they can feel calmer, sleep better, strengthen relationships, and respond to life's challenges with greater confidence instead of fear.
Therapy provides a safe, collaborative space to process difficult experiences at your own pace. As your nervous system begins to recognize that you're no longer in danger, it becomes possible to experience more moments of calm, connection, and joy. Healing isn't about becoming someone different—it's about feeling more like yourself again.
Whether your trauma stems from a single event or years of difficult experiences, meaningful change is possible. Our role is to help you build the tools, insight, and resilience needed to move forward with greater confidence and hope.
Our Approach
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma. Rather than repeatedly revisiting painful memories, EMDR helps the brain process them in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and allows new, healthier beliefs to develop.
Personalized Care
No two people experience trauma in the same way. We take time to understand your story, your strengths, and what healing means to you. Treatment is collaborative, individualized, and paced in a way that feels safe and manageable.
Trauma-Informed
Healing begins with feeling understood. We recognize how trauma affects the nervous system, relationships, and sense of self, and we approach therapy with compassion, curiosity, and respect. Our goal is to create an environment where you feel supported—not judged—as you move forward.
Depending on your needs, therapy may also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, somatic interventions, and other evidence-based approaches. We work together to determine which strategies best support your goals and healing.
Meet Our Trauma Therapists
Healing happens through a strong therapeutic relationship. Our trauma therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique experiences and goals. Whether you're processing a recent event or long-standing trauma, we're here to help you move forward at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
Rebecca Parthun, LPC
Melissa Addessi, LPC
Holli Sokolick, RIC
Kim Hudson, RIC
Anna Driver, RIC
Mackenzie Collins, Intern
Frequently Asked Questions
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Trauma therapy is a specialized form of counseling that helps people process and heal from overwhelming or distressing experiences. Treatment focuses not only on understanding what happened but also on reducing the emotional, physical, and relational effects trauma may continue to have on your daily life.
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No. You are never required to share details before you're ready. Trauma therapy moves at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you. Building a sense of safety and trust is often the first step, and your therapist will work collaboratively with you throughout the process.
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EMDR is an effective, evidence-based treatment for many people experiencing the effects of trauma, but it isn't the right approach for every situation or every stage of therapy. Your therapist will help determine whether EMDR or another evidence-based approach best fits your needs, goals, and readiness.
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Trauma can continue to affect the nervous system long after an event has passed. Many people seek therapy years—or even decades—after difficult experiences and still experience meaningful healing. It is never "too late" to begin processing what you've been carrying.
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Many people question whether their experiences "count" as trauma. If an experience continues to affect your emotions, relationships, sense of safety, or daily life, it deserves attention and care. Therapy isn't about comparing your experiences to someone else's—it's about understanding how they've affected you.
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Healing looks different for everyone. Some people notice meaningful improvements within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term therapy, particularly when working through complex or long-standing trauma. Together, you'll regularly review your goals and adjust treatment as your needs evolve.
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Yes. We accept many major insurance plans, both commercial and Medicaid.
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Yes. We offer virtual therapy sessions across Virginia, in addition to our in-office sessions in Virginia Beach. Teletherapy is fully secure and HIPAA-compliant.
Related Services
Anxiety Therapy
Learn practical strategies to calm your nervous system and reduce persistent worry.
Depression Therapy
Reconnect with hope, purpose, and the parts of life that matter most.
Individual Therapy
Personalized therapy tailored to your unique experiences, goals, and values.
EMDR Therapy
An evidence-based approach that helps the brain process traumatic and distressing memories.
Ready to Begin?
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you've been carrying the effects of trauma for a long time. Whether you're ready to begin now or simply have questions about the process, we're here to help.
Our therapists provide compassionate, trauma-informed care in a safe and supportive environment. Together, we'll work toward helping you feel more connected, more confident, and more like yourself again.
“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”