Trauma can reshape how you see yourself and the world. Our specialized PTSD therapists, including certified EMDR practitioners, provide a safe, evidence-based path to healing so that your past no longer controls your present.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops when the brain gets stuck processing a deeply distressing experience. It can follow a car accident, military combat, childhood abuse, assault, sudden loss, or witnessing violence. PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is the nervous system doing what it was designed to do, then staying locked in survival mode long after the danger has passed.
It is normal to feel distressed after a frightening event. What distinguishes PTSD from a normal stress response is duration, intensity, and impairment: PTSD symptoms persist beyond one month, significantly interfere with daily life, and are not explained by another cause. If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is PTSD or a natural grief or stress response, a clinical evaluation can clarify that quickly. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD affects roughly 3.6% of U.S. adults in any given year, and effective, evidence-based treatment exists.
Our primary approach is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), one of the most researched and endorsed treatments for PTSD. EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge. Many clients with single-event trauma no longer meet PTSD criteria after just a handful of sessions. The American Psychological Association strongly recommends EMDR alongside trauma-focused CBT as a first-line PTSD treatment.
Most trauma work at Riverside takes place in individual therapy, which allows for the depth and pacing that healing requires. Healing is never forced or rushed, and you are never required to narrate every detail of what happened. For those whose trauma has strained a relationship, couples counseling can be a helpful complement to individual trauma treatment. We can coordinate both if needed.
Riverside has direct experience with veterans and active-duty military facing combat-related PTSD, first responders processing repeated critical incidents, and adults carrying childhood or interpersonal trauma. Complex and multi-event trauma receive the same careful, structured attention as single-incident PTSD. Confidentiality and a non-judgmental environment are guaranteed.
When symptoms are severe, such as significant sleep disruption or intense hyperarousal, our on-staff psychiatrists can evaluate whether medication alongside therapy would help. You receive coordinated, whole-person care under one roof. For a broader look at what the recovery process involves, read our guide on understanding PTSD and the path to recovery. Browse our licensed therapists or use provider matching to find the right fit for your situation.
Tammy brings decades of experience helping trauma survivors reclaim their lives. She specializes in EMDR, complex trauma, and anxiety in adults and adolescents.
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Cara works with adults navigating trauma, PTSD, and life transitions. Her warm, structured approach helps clients feel safe enough to do the deep healing work.
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Dan specializes in trauma-informed care for veterans, first responders, and adults dealing with PTSD, grief, and high-stress occupational trauma.
View Full Profile →PTSD often overlaps with other challenges. We treat the whole picture.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger intense emotional reactions. It's recognized by the WHO, APA, and the VA as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
PTSD symptoms include flashbacks or nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating, persisting more than a month after a traumatic event. A clinical evaluation can clarify whether your symptoms meet the diagnosis and what treatment would help most.
Not necessarily. Treatments like EMDR process trauma without requiring you to narrate every detail. Your therapist will always follow your lead and move at a pace that feels safe. Healing never requires re-traumatization.
We work with survivors of childhood abuse, sexual assault, military and combat trauma, accidents, sudden loss, medical trauma, domestic violence, and more. Complex and multiple traumas receive specialized attention from our experienced team.
Research shows many people with single-event PTSD no longer meet criteria after just a few EMDR sessions. Complex PTSD or multiple traumas typically require more time. Your therapist will discuss realistic expectations at the start of treatment.
Our compassionate team in Ashburn & Leesburg is ready to help. New patients welcome.
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Prefer to call? (703) 724-0200
Same-week appointments available in Ashburn, VA, in person or via telehealth.
