Trauma & PTSD

Trauma is an emotional response to deeply distressing or harmful experiences. It can result from events such as accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, or serious medical crises. While some people recover naturally over time, others may continue to experience lasting emotional and physical effects.

It is important to understand that trauma affects people differently. What feels overwhelming and disruptive to one person may not affect another in the same way. There is no right or wrong way for trauma response to manifest. At Alliance Psychology, we recognize these differences and provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each person’s unique experience.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the ongoing distress from a past trauma. It typically involves re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts that continue long after the traumatic event has passed.

Unlike short-term stress reactions that fade within days or weeks, PTSD symptoms persist over long periods, disrupt daily life, and often affect work, school, relationships, and overall well-being. Many people with PTSD also experience co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or sleep difficulties.

Trauma and PTSD can affect emotional health, physical well-being, and relationships.

Emotional & Mental Effects

• Persistent fear, anxiety, or feeling “on edge,” even in safe situations
• Guilt or shame connected to the traumatic experience
• Emotional numbness or disconnection from oneself or others
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions due to mental fatigue

Physical Effects

• Chronic headaches, muscle tension, or other stress-related pain
• Digestive issues like nausea, cramping, or stomach discomfort
• Sleep problems like trouble falling asleep, nightmares, or restless nights
• Ongoing fatigue that interferes with daily tasks

Social & Behavioral Impact

• Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger memories of trauma
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities
• Unhealthy coping behaviors like substance use, overeating, or overworking

For more than 25 years, Alliance Psychology has provided trauma-informed care that is accessible, personalized, and grounded in experience. 

• Same-Week Appointments: Same-week appointments are available whenever possible, so you don’t have to wait to begin therapy.
• Flexible Options for Scheduling: In-person therapy in Orem and Spanish Fork, or secure telehealth counseling across Utah.
• Patient-First Approach: We connect you with the therapist whose training and style best match your needs and goals.
• Specialized Team: Our team has advanced training in trauma-focused care.
• Collaborative Care: We coordinate with psychiatrists, primary care providers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive support.
• Rooted in Utah County: A locally owned, veteran-owned practice with more than 25 years of service to the community.

At Alliance Psychology, our care is personalized and focused on long-term healing, offering therapy in a safe, structured space to move forward with greater resilience and confidence.

• Reduce Distressing Symptoms: Lessen the intensity of flashbacks, nightmares, and triggers.
• Build Coping Strategies: Develop effective tools to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions.
• Improve Daily Functioning: Strengthen focus, mood stability, and sleep quality.
• Rebuild Safety & Connection: Restore trust in yourself and others while creating healthier relationships.

Our team uses proven methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma-informed care practices.

Trauma can present in different ways. Our specialists are trained to recognize and treat a wide range of trauma-related conditions.

• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Intense stress symptoms that develop soon after a traumatic event but last less than one month.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Ongoing symptoms lasting more than one month, interfering with daily life.
• Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): Prolonged or repeated trauma, often involving difficulty with trust, relationships, and self-identity.
• Adjustment Disorders: Strong emotional or behavioral reactions to stressful life changes, such as divorce, job loss, or illness.
• Prolonged Grief Disorder: Trauma related to intense grief that continues for an extended period and disrupts daily functioning.
• Unspecified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder: Significant trauma-related symptoms that do not fully meet the criteria for another specific diagnosis but still cause distress and impairment.

Knowing what to expect during treatment can make starting therapy less overwhelming. At Alliance Psychology, we guide you through a structured process designed to support healing at your pace.

• Initial Appointment: Your first appointment is typically scheduled the same week as an intake session, during which you will share your history, concerns, and goals. This gives our therapist a clear understanding of your needs.
• Personalized Treatment Plan: Our therapist creates a plan tailored to the type of trauma you’ve experienced and your recovery goals.
• Ongoing Sessions: Safe, structured therapy sessions focused on processing experiences, building coping strategies, and gradually reducing distressing symptoms. Sessions are available in-person or online, allowing our therapist to build a trusting, consistent relationship with you.
• Collaboration When Needed: If medication or additional support could be beneficial, we can also coordinate with psychiatrists and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care.
• Progress & Review: Throughout therapy, your therapist checks in regularly to measure progress, celebrate improvements, and adjust your plan as needed.

Living with trauma or PTSD can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. With same-week availability, in-person and telehealth options, and a trusted team of trauma specialists, Alliance Psychology makes it easier to start your healing journey.

Call us today at (801) 224-2313 or complete our online form to request your first appointment.