Not your average therapy! Enjoy open access to our studio. All materials provided for a variety of mindful and creative outlets from crochet to freeform painting, but anyone is welcome to bring their own materials as well. Expressive modalities have been known to help soothe somatic stress responses and help foster self-efficacy and mindfulness, so please join us for the opportunity to learn new skills in an interactive and relaxed environment. RSVP, space is limited. See website for more info: njverdantandvisionary.wordpress.com APRIL 5TH: Sketchbook Saturdays! Come create an art journal page with us!
Hosted by Dr. Rikki Lyn McCarthy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, DBH, LCSW, ExAT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Somerset, NJ 08873
My specializations include complex trauma, whole-person therapy, and anxiety.
Welcome to Verdant Therapy & The Visionary Studio LLC! I'm so glad you decided to seek therapy. No matter if your challenges are deeper traumas and healing or just an honest attempt to improve stress management, we can work collaboratively to generate individualized goals and healthy habits catered to your specific needs and lifestyle. Depending on your preference, you can anticipate comfortable talk therapy or expressive arts therapies to help you along either virtually or in our homey office space. It is my intention to help you achieve and thrive regardless of the task(s) at hand. No leather couches here!
See more therapy options for Somerset County
Trauma and PTSD Support Groups
When should I seek treatment for trauma?
Not everyone who undergoes trauma needs therapy to heal, but many do. If, after experiencing a traumatic event, you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, dissociation, irritability, or emotional numbness—especially if these symptoms last more than a month and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning—you may benefit from seeking out therapy with a trauma-informed provider.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Different types of therapy for trauma unfold on different timelines. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, for example, each take about three months, while trauma-informed CBT may last anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. Other approaches, especially those that are less structured or that incorporate elements from multiple modalities, may be more open-ended, though many patients report feeling better within the first few months of treatment.
What happens if trauma is left untreated?
Unaddressed trauma can have serious—even devastating—effects on relationships, career, and day-to-day functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead people to distrust or lash out at others, making it difficult to maintain intimate relationships; it can also trigger symptoms such as flashbacks or hyperreactivity that can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively, personally and/or professionally. Some sufferers turn to drugs to find relief. Symptoms may lessen on their own with time, but there is no guarantee that PTSD will resolve on its own.
Can PTSD come back after treatment?
It is possible for PTSD symptoms to recur months or years after successful treatment. This is because, like most mental health disorders, it is not possible to “cure” PTSD, and stressful life events may cause symptoms to recur in even the most resilient individuals. There is no shame in re-experiencing PTSD symptoms nor in returning to therapy when such relapses occur; indeed, many forms of trauma therapy explicitly encourage periodic “maintenance sessions” to reinforce coping skills and ensure that symptoms stay manageable.