Photo of Gladys Smith, Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri
Gladys Smith
Licensed Professional Counselor, PsyD, LPC, NCC, MAC, CCMHC
Verified Verified
Clayton, MO 63105  (Online Only)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as as foundation to address trauma and victimization.
I have extensive training in trauma, addiction, depression and anxiety, as well as stress and adjustment. I address the whole person in treatment planning. Individuals that work with me are empowered and encourages to meet their selected goal to achieve balance in their lives. We work together to form goals and I help you navigate the journey to wellness. We will use the body as a resource, as well as art, movement and poetry if a person chooses.This is a veteran owned business. I served 27 years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic), I work with first Responders and thrir families, veterans and MST.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as as foundation to address trauma and victimization.
I have extensive training in trauma, addiction, depression and anxiety, as well as stress and adjustment. I address the whole person in treatment planning. Individuals that work with me are empowered and encourages to meet their selected goal to achieve balance in their lives. We work together to form goals and I help you navigate the journey to wellness. We will use the body as a resource, as well as art, movement and poetry if a person chooses.This is a veteran owned business. I served 27 years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic), I work with first Responders and thrir families, veterans and MST.
(314) 300-0370 View (314) 300-0370
Photo of Family Therapy of the Ozarks, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Missouri
Family Therapy of the Ozarks
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CCDP-D, MSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Springfield, MO 65804
I have been extensively trained to understand how trauma affects the pathways in the brain that leads to anxiety, depression, poor decision making, broken relationships, loss of jobs, sleeping and eating disorders.
I look forward to working with clients whose life path may have created difficulties for them that has led them not be the best of who they can be. Each individual's path may have been sprinkled with physical or emotional abuse, neglect, assault, grief and loss, domestic violence, marital or parental discord or a myriad of other situations. Sometimes these life paths create in my clients a feeling of hopeless and loss of self-worth, sometimes these path end with someone needing to determine a plan to leave an unsafe living situation. Sometimes these paths lead to turning to substances and illegal drugs to cope with the internal turmoil and pain. It is my privlege to work with clients to help them identify and bring forth the best of who they are and what they want for their life, their family and their future through their own individual strengths.
I have been extensively trained to understand how trauma affects the pathways in the brain that leads to anxiety, depression, poor decision making, broken relationships, loss of jobs, sleeping and eating disorders.
I look forward to working with clients whose life path may have created difficulties for them that has led them not be the best of who they can be. Each individual's path may have been sprinkled with physical or emotional abuse, neglect, assault, grief and loss, domestic violence, marital or parental discord or a myriad of other situations. Sometimes these life paths create in my clients a feeling of hopeless and loss of self-worth, sometimes these path end with someone needing to determine a plan to leave an unsafe living situation. Sometimes these paths lead to turning to substances and illegal drugs to cope with the internal turmoil and pain. It is my privlege to work with clients to help them identify and bring forth the best of who they are and what they want for their life, their family and their future through their own individual strengths.
(417) 497-3016 View (417) 497-3016

Trauma and PTSD Therapists

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.