Photo of William Chad Garrett, PMHNP, BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
William Chad Garrett
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP, BC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Boston, MA 02215
When you are suffering, you want help now, not one month from now. If symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or insomnia are negatively affecting your life, follow the link to my website and click the "Request Consultation" button to get started.
When you are suffering, you want help now, not one month from now. If symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or insomnia are negatively affecting your life, follow the link to my website and click the "Request Consultation" button to get started.
(508) 715-6690 View (508) 715-6690
Photo of Donald Schiermer MD PhD, MD, PhD, MPH, Psychiatrist
Donald Schiermer MD PhD
Psychiatrist, MD, PhD, MPH
Verified Verified
Boston, MA 02215
You need help, but are unsure where to turn. Wary of doctors, suspicious of drugs to which you think you could get "addicted," unbelieving that anyone could know you well enough to help. You may already be taking medicine, but aren't convinced it is the best one for you, or even helping at all. As a clinical psychologist and family physician trained in psychopharmacology, I apply an unusual and broad background to help identify and clarify what is "stuck" for you right now. Discovering ways to feel free of anxiety, depression, anger or hate is our business together.
You need help, but are unsure where to turn. Wary of doctors, suspicious of drugs to which you think you could get "addicted," unbelieving that anyone could know you well enough to help. You may already be taking medicine, but aren't convinced it is the best one for you, or even helping at all. As a clinical psychologist and family physician trained in psychopharmacology, I apply an unusual and broad background to help identify and clarify what is "stuck" for you right now. Discovering ways to feel free of anxiety, depression, anger or hate is our business together.
(617) 648-9482 View (617) 648-9482
Trauma and PTSD Psychiatrists

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.