Treating PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder develops after exposure to a traumatic event and can affect how you think, how you sleep, how you respond to everyday situations, and how safe you feel in the world. Symptoms can include intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, and avoidance of anything connected to the trauma.
PTSD does not always appear immediately after the event, and it does not always look the way people expect. Some patients come to us knowing exactly what happened. Others know something is wrong but have not connected it to a specific experience. Our approach begins with a thorough evaluation at whatever pace you are comfortable with.
We treat PTSD in adults, adolescents, and children.
How We Evaluate PTSD
Every patient at Everhealth begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. The core process is the same for every condition: a clinical interview, validated assessments completed before your visit, a review of your personal and family history, and a collaborative discussion about findings and next steps.
For PTSD specifically, the evaluation includes a careful exploration of trauma history, conducted at your pace. We assess the pattern and severity of your symptoms, how they affect your daily functioning, whether co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety are present, and what previous treatment you may have tried. We do not push you to disclose more than you are ready to share.
Your pre-visit assessments are tailored based on what you share in your intake. If trauma-related concerns are present, you will receive screening tools relevant to your situation.
How We Treat PTSD
Treatment for PTSD involves managing symptoms while supporting the broader work of recovery. Your provider builds a plan around your specific situation and adjusts it as treatment progresses.
Medication Management
Medication can help manage specific symptoms of PTSD, including sleep disruption, hyperarousal, and intrusive thoughts. Your provider will discuss which options may be appropriate based on your symptoms and history. Medication is not a standalone solution for PTSD, but it can reduce symptom intensity and create space for other parts of treatment to be effective.
Psychoeducation
Understanding what PTSD is and how it works can be genuinely relieving. Your provider helps you make sense of your symptoms, understand why your brain and body respond the way they do, and learn what to expect from treatment. For many patients, this knowledge reduces the shame and confusion that often accompany PTSD.
Lifestyle and Coping Strategies
Sleep disruption, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation are common in PTSD and directly affect quality of life. Your provider works with you on practical strategies to manage these: sleep habits, grounding techniques, stress management, and strategies for navigating triggers in daily life.
Ongoing Monitoring
PTSD treatment is not a straight line. Symptoms can fluctuate, particularly around triggers or stressful periods. Follow-up visits track your progress, adjust medication as needed, and provide consistent support through the process.
Coordination of Care
Trauma-focused therapy is an important component of PTSD treatment for many patients. We do not provide standalone psychotherapy, but we recommend the type of therapy most appropriate for your situation, point you toward resources to find a therapist who specializes in trauma-focused approaches, and provide referrals when needed. If you already have a therapist, we coordinate care with them directly. Medication and therapy often work best together.
Who We Treat
In addition to adults, we treat PTSD in the following age groups, each of which requires a tailored approach.
Children and Adolescents
In children and adolescents, PTSD may show up as behavioral changes, regression, nightmares, difficulty in school, or withdrawal. Evaluation for younger patients includes developmental context and, where appropriate, input from parents or guardians.
Learn more about care for children →Not Sure Where You Stand?
The PCL-5 is a validated screening tool used in clinical practice to measure the severity of PTSD symptoms. It is not a diagnosis, and only a qualified provider can make a clinical determination. But it can give you a starting point.
Take the PCL-5 PTSD Screening →If your results concern you, we are here to help.
Common Questions
Your evaluation is conducted at your pace. We will ask about your trauma history because it is clinically relevant, but you control how much you share and when. We do not push you beyond what you are ready for.
Medication can significantly help manage symptoms, but for many patients, the most effective treatment combines medication with trauma-focused therapy. We help coordinate therapy as part of your overall care plan.
PTSD does not have an expiration date. Whether the trauma happened recently or years ago, treatment can still make a meaningful difference. Many of our patients seek help long after the original event.
We do not provide standalone psychotherapy. When trauma-focused therapy would benefit your treatment, we recommend approaches like EMDR or prolonged exposure, point you toward resources to find a specialist, and provide referrals when needed. If you already have a therapist, we coordinate care with them directly.
Yes. Children can develop PTSD from a range of traumatic experiences. It may look different than in adults, often presenting as behavioral changes, regression, or difficulty in school. We evaluate and treat PTSD in children ages 5 and up.
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If you or someone you care about is dealing with the effects of trauma, the first step is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. It is conducted at your pace, and it is where we begin to build a plan specific to your situation.