Trauma Treatment That Understands How Your Brain Changed
The past won't let go. Your brain stays on high alert even when you're safe. If trauma is keeping you stuck, we can help—by treating the neurological changes trauma causes.
Does This Sound Like You?
Trauma isn't just "having bad memories." Here's what it actually does to you:
Hypervigilance
You're always on edge, scanning for danger even when you're safe
Intrusive Memories & Flashbacks
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares you can't control
Avoidance
You avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of what happened
Emotional Numbness
You feel numb, disconnected, or like you're watching your life from outside your body
Fragmented or Overwhelming Memories
You can't remember parts of the traumatic event—or you remember it in vivid, overwhelming detail
Startle Response
Loud noises, certain smells, or unexpected touches make you jump or panic
Trust Issues
You don't trust people—even people who've never hurt you
Constant Sense of Threat
You feel like something terrible is always about to happen
Irritability & Emotional Outbursts
You're irritable, angry, or have emotional outbursts you can't explain
Self-Blame
You blame yourself for what happened, even though logically you know it wasn't your fault
Feeling Unsafe at Home
You struggle to feel safe, even in your own home
What Trauma Does to Your Brain?
Trauma isn't just psychological—it's neurological. When you experience trauma, your brain's threat-detection system (the amygdala) gets stuck in overdrive. Your stress response doesn't turn off. Your brain chemistry changes.
Most providers treat trauma like it's just about "processing emotions." But that's only part of it. At Maison Cura, we treat the brain changes trauma causes—which is why our approach actually works.
The Amygdala (Your Alarm System)
After trauma, your amygdala—the part of your brain that detects threats—becomes overactive. It fires constantly, keeping you in fight-or-flight mode even when there's no danger. This is why you're always on edge.
Glutamate Dysregulation
Trauma disrupts glutamate, a neurotransmitter that regulates your brain's stress response. When glutamate is out of balance, you can't calm down—your nervous system stays activated 24/7.
Hippocampus Shrinkage
Trauma can shrink the hippocampus (the memory center), which is why trauma memories feel fragmented, overwhelming, or frozen in time. Your brain can't process them normally.
Prefrontal Cortex Shutdown
The prefrontal cortex (the rational, thinking part of your brain) goes offline during trauma. This is why you can't "just think your way out" of PTSD—the thinking part of your brain isn't in control.
Cortisol & Stress Hormones
Chronic trauma keeps cortisol (stress hormone) elevated, which damages your body over time: high blood pressure, weakened immune system, digestive issues, chronic pain.
Why Standard Treatments Often Fail
Most trauma treatment focuses only on therapy—talk therapy, EMDR, exposure therapy. Those can help. But if your brain chemistry is still dysregulated, therapy alone won't be enough.
We treat both: the neurological changes (with medication) and the psychological wounds (with therapy referrals). That's why our patients actually get better.
Trauma & PTSD Conditions We Specialize In
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Classic PTSD from a single traumatic event: car accident, assault, combat, natural disaster, sudden loss. Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Trauma from prolonged, repeated experiences: childhood abuse, domestic violence, being held captive, long-term emotional abuse. Causes deeper identity issues, emotional dysregulation, relationship struggles.
Childhood Trauma
Abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, unstable home environments. Often affects how you relate to others, regulate emotions, and view yourself as an adult.
Acute Stress Disorder
Similar to PTSD but occurs within the first month after trauma. If untreated, often becomes full PTSD.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Related Mental Health
Mental health symptoms caused by head injuries: personality changes, mood swings, depression, anxiety, impulse control issues. We treat both the TBI aftermath and the psychiatric symptoms.
Adjustment Disorders
Difficulty coping after a significant life change or stressor: divorce, job loss, serious illness, relocation. More severe than "normal" stress—interferes with functioning.
Dissociative Symptoms
Feeling disconnected from your body, emotions, or reality. Depersonalization (feeling like you're outside your body) or derealization (feeling like the world isn't real). Common in severe trauma.
How We Treat Trauma
Trauma-Informed Evaluation
Your first visit lasts 60+ minutes in a safe, non-judgmental space. We review your trauma history (if you’re ready), current symptoms, daily impact, previous treatments, support system, and physical health.
We also assess depression, anxiety, substance use, sleep issues, and chronic pain. You only share what you’re comfortable with safety comes first.
Treat the Brain Changes
We take a targeted approach to trauma-related brain changes. Medications can calm the amygdala to reduce nightmares and hyperarousal, regulate glutamate for severe or treatment-resistant PTSD, and address depression or anxiety that often accompanies trauma.
When needed, we also support sleep so your brain can rest and heal. The goal is to calm your nervous system enough to engage fully in therapy and recovery.
Therapy Referrals
We recommend trauma-focused therapy alongside medication and refer to skilled therapists in TF-CBT, EMDR, prolonged exposure, somatic therapy, or group therapy. We coordinate care so your therapy and medications work together, helping you process trauma safely and effectively.
Ongoing Support & Healing
Trauma healing isn’t linear—there are setbacks, breakthroughs, hard days, and good days. We stay with you through it all, meeting every 2–4 weeks to adjust treatment, monitor symptoms, provide support, celebrate progress, and coordinate with your therapist. Healing takes time, and we’re patient we won’t give up on you.
What Trauma Treatment Looks Like
First Appointment
- Safe, trauma-informed evaluation
- Discussion of symptoms and how trauma affects you
- Review of previous treatments
- Assessment for co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, substance use)
- Initial medication plan if appropriate
- Therapy referrals
- Safety planning if needed
Early Treatment
- Regular visits (every 2-4 weeks)
- Medication adjustments to optimize results
- Coordination with your therapist
- Sleep improvement
- Reduction in hypervigilance and nightmares
- Beginning to feel safer in your body
Ongoing Care
- Continued medication management
- Processing trauma memories in therapy
- Building coping skills and resilience
- Reconnecting with life and relationships
- Reducing avoidance behaviors
- Long-term support until you're thriving
Common Questions About Trauma Treatment
Do I have to talk about what happened to me?
Not right away. We never push you to share details you're not ready to discuss. Trauma treatment starts with safety—feeling safe in your body, safe in the room, safe with your provider. When you're ready, we're here to listen.
Will medication cure my PTSD?
Medication doesn't "cure" PTSD, but it can calm your nervous system enough that you can engage in therapy and healing. Think of it as turning down the volume on your alarm system so you can actually think clearly and process what happened.
What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't work?
That's common. Therapy alone often doesn't work for PTSD because your nervous system is too dysregulated to engage fully. When we treat the brain chemistry first (with medication), therapy becomes much more effective.
How long does trauma treatment take?
It varies. Some people feel significantly better within 3-6 months. Others take a year or more. Complex trauma (C-PTSD) usually takes longer than single-incident trauma. We stay with you as long as it takes.
Can trauma cause physical symptoms?
Absolutely. Trauma commonly causes: chronic pain, digestive issues, headaches, autoimmune flare-ups, high blood pressure, fatigue. We address both the mental and physical impacts of trauma.
What if I don't remember parts of my trauma?
That's normal. The brain often blocks out traumatic memories as a protective mechanism. You don't need to remember every detail to heal. We work with what you do remember and focus on how trauma is affecting you now.
Is it possible to heal from trauma?
Yes. Trauma changes your brain—but your brain can change again. With the right treatment (medication + therapy), people heal from PTSD and go on to live full, meaningful lives. We've seen it happen countless times.
Do you treat childhood trauma in adults?
Yes. Many adults carry unresolved childhood trauma. We specialize in treating how that trauma affects you as an adult—relationships, self-worth, emotional regulation, etc.
Do you accept insurance for trauma treatment?
Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. We verify your coverage before your first appointment.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most appointments are available within days. We understand that when you're ready to get help, waiting months isn't an option.
Ready to Finally Feel Safe Again?
Trauma doesn't have to define your life. Let's treat what it did to your brain—and help you heal.