Trauma Therapy and PTSD Treatment
Acute and Complex Trauma Therapy
At LifePath we recognize that exposure to trauma is pervasive in our world, and we are committed to changing the way that we talk about and treat trauma.

The Impact of Trauma
Some common responses and symptoms of acute trauma include:
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
- Sleep disturbances
- Painful depression or crippling anxiety
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
Complex or chronic trauma may show up in similar ways to acute, and may also include experiences such as:
- Chronic feelings of shame or guilt
- Experiencing relationships as either disconnected or chaotic
- Difficulty regulating or expressing emotions
- Difficulty managing impulse control
- Self-injurious behavior
- Difficulty remembering large portions of childhood
- Sense that something is “missing” in you
- Social isolation
- Feeling disconnected from yourself, losing track of time or reality
- Chronic feelings of shame or guilt
- Experiencing relationships as either disconnected or chaotic
- Difficulty regulating or expressing emotions
- Difficulty managing impulse control
- Self-injurious behavior
- Difficulty remembering large portions of childhood
- Sense that something is “missing” in you
- Social isolation
- Feeling disconnected from yourself, losing track of time or reality
You are not broken, you make sense.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy and Healing
We believe that healing from trauma is possible in a safe, connected relationship. Our trauma trained therapists at LifePath will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan and therapy experience that meets you where you are, at a pace that feels safe. While each therapist brings their own specific training and modalities, some common components of the therapy process may include creating safety, psycho-education, evidence-based skill building, trauma-informed processing, and reparative relational experiences. Often after experiencing trauma much of your energy may go towards just trying to survive, cope, and get through. Your therapist will help you make sense of the impact of trauma on your life and work with you to create safety and stabilization. When you are ready, you may engage in trauma-informed processing, processing both cognitively and somatically to make sense of your history and help your brain and body metabolize your experience. Your therapist will help you process painful memories and narratives as they come up with presence and compassion, to help integrate your experiences.
Reach-Out. We Can Help.
Begin Trauma Therapy in Chicago, IL
If you or someone you know is struggling with the impact of acute, chronic, or complex trauma please reach out. We are confident that we can help. Our Chicago, IL psychotherapy practice has caring therapists who specialize in healing trauma.
More Counseling Services
at LifePath Therapy Associates
Our therapists understand that people face a multitude of unique challenges across the lifespan, and we offer therapy services for grief and loss support, anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and complex trauma, gender and sexuality, maternal mental health, young adults, couples work, family therapy, and caregiver support, as well as many other specialized areas of focus. Reach out today to be matched with the therapist who is the best fit for you!
