Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Trauma Treatment for All Ages in Raleigh, North Raleigh, and Durham, NC
Going through a traumatic event (something frightening, dangerous, or life-threatening) can deeply impact your sense of safety and well-being. If you're struggling with the effects of trauma, you're not alone, and support is available. Birch Therapy offers several highly effective, research-supported treatment interventions for children and adults who have experienced trauma, including Brainspotting, Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and mindfulness-based therapy.
Understanding Trauma Therapy
Trauma's impact extends beyond immediate emotional responses. It can alter brain function and structure, affecting areas responsible for memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. These changes can lead to heightened stress responses, even in safe environments, as the body remains on high alert, anticipating danger.
Trauma resides in both the body and mind. Triggers reminiscent of the original event can evoke intense reactions, causing individuals to feel threatened even when no immediate danger is present. Recognizing these responses is the first step toward healing and developing strategies to manage them effectively.
Birch Therapy offers several therapeutic approaches for treating trauma and supporting children, teens, and families.
Brainspotting works with emotional and body pain, trauma, dissociation, and other challenging symptoms.
CPP and PCIT focus on strengthening the parent-child relationship for young children.
​TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. Mindfulness-based therapy is integrated with evidence-based approaches.
Birch Therapy also offers Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, and Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) treatment.
Signs You or Your Child May Benefit
Traumatic stress occurs when someone experiences intense emotional or psychological reactions to a traumatic event, such as accidents, abuse, violence, or natural disasters. The effects can linger long after the event. Children who have been exposed to a traumatic event may experience traumatic stress, including:
Common Struggles We Support
Intense and prolonged feelings of emotional distress, depression, or anxiety
Behavioral changes, such as acting out or withdrawal
Difficulties with emotional regulation, such as irritability or mood swings
Loss of previously acquired skills or developmental regression, such as bedwetting or trouble with schoolwork
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Changes in appetite, eating too much or too little
Increased reports of aches and pains, such as stomachaches or headaches
If you or your child is experiencing the effects of trauma, approaches like TF-CBT, CPP, PCIT, Brainspotting, and mindfulness-based therapy can provide an opportunity to better understand the concerns and identify appropriate support. Support and healing are possible.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Trauma therapy helps children, teens, and adults address trauma and trauma-related concerns, explore emotional and behavioral challenges, and support the parent-child relationship.
Trauma Therapy Can Help
Process emotional and body pain, trauma, dissociation, and other challenging symptoms through Brainspotting
Strengthen the parent-child relationship for children ages 0–6 through CPP
Improve the parent-child relationship and reduce disruptive behaviors in young children through PCIT
Address the impact of trauma on children and adolescents through TF-CBT
Mindfulness-based therapy can also support healing by integrating mindfulness with evidence-based approaches. Recognizing trauma responses and developing strategies to manage them is the first step toward healing, for you and your family.
CPP is an intervention for children ages 0–6 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, or behavioral concerns. PCIT is an evidence-based treatment that offers practical tools and measurable progress, whether a child has ADHD, autism, or behavioral challenges without a diagnosis.
Mindfulness-based therapy at Birch Therapy is offered by Claudio Barrientos, a bilingual (English/Spanish) therapist and Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher. He integrates mindfulness with approaches including ACT, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and self-compassion practices.
Our Approach to Care
At Birch Therapy, different therapeutic approaches are available for different needs. Our team of skilled, compassionate trauma therapists helps children, teens, and adults navigate the effects of trauma, and works closely with you and your family to create a safe, welcoming space for healing and growth.
Brainspotting is a focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional and body pain, trauma, dissociation, and other challenging symptoms. TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. It incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques.
What to Expect During Therapy
Each person's experience with therapy is unique. Services are based on the needs of the individual child, teen, adult, or family, and the approach being used, whether that's Brainspotting, CPP, PCIT, TF-CBT, or mindfulness-based therapy.
Initial Consultation
The process begins with connecting with Birch Therapy through a free 15-minute Discovery Call and learning about the available therapy services and team of trauma therapists. For CPP, treatment begins with an extended assessment phase, mostly with the parent or caregiver.
Ongoing Sessions
Therapy sessions depend on the therapeutic approach being used and the individual's needs. TF-CBT is appropriate for children and adolescents ages 3–21 and typically takes 4 to 6 months of weekly therapy, with completion based on mastery. CPP typically takes 8–12 months of weekly therapy. PCIT is effective for children ages 2 to 7 and is especially helpful when other parenting strategies haven't worked.
Individual Involvement
Therapy is centered around the individual's needs and the goals of the service. In TF-CBT, a parent or caregiver is highly involved in the treatment intervention. CPP involves conjoint, play-based sessions with the child, caregiver, and therapist. PCIT focuses on enhancing positive communication and cooperation between parent and child.
Areas We Support
Birch Therapy provides trauma therapy and evidence-based therapeutic approaches for children, teens, adults, and families.
Trauma and PTSD
Early childhood trauma, ages 0–6
Mental health, attachment, and behavioral concerns in young children
Disruptive behaviors in young children, including defiance, aggression, and tantrums
Emotional and body pain, and dissociation
Anxiety and depression
Emotional and behavioral challenges
ADHD, autism, and behavioral challenges without a diagnosis
Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB)
Alongside Brainspotting, CPP, PCIT, TF-CBT, and mindfulness-based therapy, Birch Therapy also offers EMDR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). EMDR is a structured eight-phase protocol designed to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories for adolescents and adults.
Long-Term Benefits of Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy provides children, teens, adults, and families with support for trauma, emotional concerns, and behavioral challenges.
Stronger Connections
Stronger parent-child relationships
Emotional Balance
Improved emotional and behavioral functioning
Positive Communication
Positive communication and increased cooperation at home
Trauma Regulation
Strategies to recognize and manage trauma responses
CPP and PCIT help strengthen the parent-child relationship. TF-CBT and Brainspotting help children and adults work through the effects of traumatic experiences. Healing is possible.
Why Families Choose Birch Therapy
Birch Therapy provides a variety of therapeutic options for trauma and other concerns for children, teens, adults, and families.
We're Experienced
Birch Therapy's team of trauma therapists helps children, teens, and adults navigate the effects of trauma.
We're Individualized
Services are tailored to the needs of each child, teen, adult, and family.
We're Trained
Birch Therapy offers evidence-based approaches, including TF-CBT and PCIT.
We're Community-Focused
Birch Therapy provides neurodivergent-affirming therapy and supports individuals with different needs.
Explore Related Therapy Services
Every individual's needs are different, and Birch Therapy offers a variety of therapeutic options and services for children, teens, young adults, adults, and families.
Start Your Therapy Journey
If you are looking for trauma therapy or PTSD treatment in Raleigh, Durham, or North Raleigh, Birch Therapy's team is ready to connect with you. Whether you or your child is navigating the effects of a traumatic experience, Brainspotting, CPP, PCIT, TF-CBT, or mindfulness-based therapy can provide a safe space to heal and grow.
Contact Birch Therapy to schedule your free 15-minute Discovery Call, learn about the team of trauma therapists, and start your therapeutic journey.