Trauma Therapy
Difficult or overwhelming experiences can continue to affect how you feel, think, and respond long after they’ve happened. Therapy can help you process what you’ve experienced, better understand your reactions, and develop healthier ways to feel safe, connected, and in control.
Does This Sound Like You?
Trauma can affect your emotions, relationships, and sense of safety in ways that may be difficult to understand. You may recognize some of these experiences:
Feeling on Edge
Feeling tense or unable to relax.
Unwanted Memories
Memories return unexpectedly.
Avoiding Reminders
Avoiding reminders of what happened.
Feeling Disconnected
Feeling numb or disconnected.
Trouble Trusting
Struggling to trust others.
Strong Reactions
Emotions or reactions feel intense.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can help you better understand how past experiences may be affecting you today, develop healthier ways of coping, and begin feeling more grounded and in control.
Understand Your Reactions
Learn how trauma can influence your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
Build Coping Skills
Develop practical tools for managing difficult emotions, triggers, and overwhelming moments.
Restore a Sense of Safety
Work toward feeling more secure, grounded, and comfortable in your everyday life.
Reconnect With Yourself
Strengthen your sense of identity, confidence, and connection with yourself and others.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy
At Positive Minds Therapy, we understand that trauma affects everyone differently. Our approach is compassionate, personalized, and focused on helping you feel supported while developing skills to manage the ways past experiences may be affecting your life today.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Develop healthier responses to trauma.
Trauma-Informed Care
Compassionate care focused on healing.
Mindfulness & Grounding
Stay present and feel more grounded.
Personalized Care
Therapy tailored to your needs and goals.
Trauma & Related Challenges
Trauma can affect many areas of your emotional well-being and everyday life. Understanding how past experiences may connect with current challenges can help us develop a more personalized approach to treatment.
Why Choose Positive Minds Therapy?
Finding the right therapist is about more than credentials—it's about feeling understood, supported, and confident that you're receiving personalized care. At Positive Minds Therapy, we're committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment in a welcoming environment where lasting change is possible.
Carefully Matched Therapists
Find a therapist whose experience and approach fit your needs.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Therapy tailored to your goals, experiences, and needs.
In-Person & Virtual Therapy
Choose the flexibility of secure online sessions or meet with your therapist in our comfortable Patchogue office.
Flexible Scheduling
We offer daytime and evening appointments to help therapy fit into your busy schedule.
Meet Our Therapists
A Supportive Environment
We provide a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable being yourself.
Evidence-Based Care
We use proven therapeutic approaches tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Meet Our Therapists
Finding the right therapist is one of the most important parts of the healing process. Our team provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs and goals. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, stress, or other life challenges, we're here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Explore a specialty below to learn more.
Justin Benson, LCSW-R
Founder & Clinical Director
Doris Minder, LMSW, CASAC-T
Licensed Therapist • Bilingual
Katherine Arita, LMSW
Licensed Therapist • Bilingual
Anxiety • Trauma • Life Transitions
• Emotional Regulation
Hugh O'Henry, LMSW
Licensed Therapist
Anxiety • Depression • Trauma
• Grief • Relationships
Natasha Cruz, LMSW
Licensed Therapist • Bilingual
Anxiety • Depression • ADHD
• Trauma • Relationships
Genna Somers, LCSW
Licensed Therapist & Clinical Supervisor
Anxiety • OCD • Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if trauma may still be affecting me?
Trauma can show up in different ways, including feeling on edge, avoiding reminders, difficulty trusting others, unwanted memories, emotional numbness, or strong reactions to certain situations.
2. Can therapy help with past trauma?
Yes. Therapy can help you understand how past experiences may be affecting you today, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward feeling more grounded and in control.
3. Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. Trauma therapy should move at a pace that feels manageable. Your therapist will work with you to build trust and coping skills without expecting you to share everything before you're ready.
4. What is trauma-informed therapy?
Trauma-informed therapy recognizes how difficult experiences can affect your emotions, behaviors, relationships, and sense of safety. Treatment emphasizes understanding, collaboration, and individualized support.
5. Can trauma cause anxiety or depression?
Trauma can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic stress, sleep difficulties, and relationship concerns. Your therapist will consider the full picture when developing your treatment plan.
6. Do I need to have PTSD to benefit from trauma therapy?
No. Difficult experiences can continue to affect you even without a PTSD diagnosis. Therapy can be helpful whenever past experiences are interfering with your well-being or everyday life.
7. How do I get started with trauma therapy?
Complete our intake form and tell us a little about what you're experiencing. We'll help match you with a therapist based on your needs and current availability.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you're looking for trauma therapy in Patchogue or online support anywhere in New York, our team is here to provide compassionate, personalized support at a pace that feels right for you.
Have questions? Contact our office and we'll help you find the therapist that's right for you.