Trauma Specialty Clinic

There is hope for everyone who has experienced trauma. It is not a life sentence. Recovery is possible, and we specialize in helping people build fulfilling lives following traumatic experiences. Research shows that there are highly effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders.

At Evolution Trauma and Wellness, our approaches to trauma treatment include:

• Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation-Narrative Therapy (STAIR-NT)

• Prolonged Exposure (PE)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Written Exposure Therapy (WET)

  
  

Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation-Narrative Therapy (STAIR-NT)

STAIR-NT is a type of cognitive behavior therapy specifically designed for individuals affected by complex trauma. STAIR-NT has two phases. The first part works to teach skills to manage emotions and relationships. The second part is a modified form of prolonged exposure to help you face trauma memories directly. Depending on your specific needs, you might decide to do both phases of STAIR-NT or only one part.

Evolution Trauma and Wellness is the premier clinic for STAIR treatment. Dr. Jackson is the President of the STAIR Institute and has worked with Dr. Marylene Cloitre, the developer of STAIR, since 2007 on multiple outcome studies evaluating STAIR, disseminating STAIR to clinicians in the community, and providing training and consultation to therapists using STAIR. She is one of the authors of the second edition of the STAIR manual, Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Interpersonal Trauma.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Exposure therapy has been used as a behavioral intervention for many years to help people confront their fears. In the case of PTSD, the feared stimuli are traumatic memories, feelings, and situations. When a person has experienced a trauma, it makes sense that the last thing they want to do is think about it or have related feelings. However, this avoidance is what drives PTSD. PE can help you face these fears safely with the support of a caring, trusted therapist, enabling you to move forward with your life and stop being stuck in the past. Our staff has been specifically trained in PE for trauma-related disorders, and we have helped individuals affected by many different types of traumas, including childhood trauma, 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks, car accidents, sexual and physical assaults, and many other types of traumatic experiences. If you would like to learn more about PE, please visit.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE)

DBT-PE was developed so that people who struggle with PTSD in combination with life-threatening behavior and multiple co-occurring problems can still benefit from effective treatment. The treatment has three phases, beginning with traditional DBT, then moving into PE when the client is ready, and then focusing on quality of life issues and consolidating treatment gains. At Evolution Trauma and Wellness, we have been intensively trained in the DBT-PE protocol by Dr. Melanie Harned, who developed this treatment.

Cognitive Processing THerapy (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a well-established treatment for PTSD, with a wealth of research evidence to show its effectiveness in reducing or eliminating symptoms of PTSD. CPT takes place over 10-12 sessions, usually weekly. Through writing assignments, clients work with their therapist to confront and modify their beliefs regarding trauma in order to create emotional and behavioral change. We look in depth at how trauma has affected a survivor’s thoughts about safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy, and then challenge those beliefs in order to improve overall functioning. Clients work closely with their therapist, both in sessions and between sessions, to examine and change their thinking style to create real change. 

Written Exposure THerapy (WET)

Written Exposure Therapy is a brief and effective evidence-based treatment, best used with mild to moderate severity PTSD. We begin by thoroughly evaluating PTSD symptoms and then identify an “index trauma” to work on. The client is then guided in five sessions of writing in detail about the traumatic episode, along with thoughts and feelings about the trauma and how it has impacted their life in terms of self-view, relationships, and overall functioning. The therapist helps the client to process writing material in each session and more sessions can be added if needed for further processing. Research shows that even in this very brief treatment, symptoms of PTSD can be significantly reduced.