2 Highly Recommended Austin Trauma & PTSD Therapists
Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or inauthentic? You're not alone. Reclaim your voice and story through trauma counseling in a safe, collaborative space.
What “qualifies” as trauma?
Trauma is any deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It’s not just about what happens but how it impacts the nervous system, emotions, and sense of safety. Trauma can be caused by a single event (e.g., an accident, assault, or natural disaster) or by ongoing experiences (e.g., abuse, neglect, discrimination, or chronic post traumatic stress disorder).
What qualifies as trauma is subjective—what’s traumatic for one person may not be for another. However, some common factors include:
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Feeling powerless or helpless during the event.
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Experiencing or witnessing danger to oneself or others.
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The nervous system becomes dysregulated, making it hard to process or integrate the experience.
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Trauma often leaves emotional, psychological, or physical symptoms, such as anxiety, dissociation, hypervigilance, or difficulty trusting others.
Different types of trauma
Trauma is not just about big, obvious events—subtle and persistent stressors (e.g., emotional neglect, microaggressions, or unstable environments) can also be traumatic. Healing often involves processing emotions, restoring a sense of safety, and reconnecting with one’s body and relationships.
How trauma counseling can help
Trauma can impact every aspect of life causing behavioral challenges, making it difficult to feel safe, connected, or in control. At Willow Tree Collective, we offer counseling services focused on providing a compassionate, client-centered approach to healing. Our licensed professional counselors, specialize in helping clients process traumatic experiences, whether from childhood, life transitions, mental health disorders or a single traumatic event.
Potential benefits of trauma therapy include:
Reducing anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and emotional distress
Strengthening coping skills for mental health concerns and mood disorders
Bring understanding to traumatic memories in a safe environment
Addressing relationship issues and attachment patterns
Increasing self-acceptance and personal growth
Healing from trauma is a journey, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Austin therapists are here to provide a safe space and supportive environment where clients heal, reclaim their own lives, and build a healthier future.
Meet our Austin trauma therapists
1. Meg Mattingly, LPC
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I help individuals process the complex and often painful effects of religious trauma and other traumatic events, whether it stems from high-control faith communities, purity culture, spiritual abuse, or struggles with deconstructing beliefs. I support clients in healing journey, reclaiming their inner wisdom, rebuilding trust in themselves, and creating a life aligned with their values. My work is deeply rooted in fostering self-compassion, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Education
Master's in Mental Health Counseling, Seminary of the Southwest
Modalities Used
Narrative Therapy
Ecotherapy
Relational Cultural Theory
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Additional Specialties
Life Transitions
Identity Exploration
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
Climate Anxiety & Eco-Grief
2. Elizabeth Hoang, LPC Associate
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I’m here to offer a safe, supportive space for those healing from trauma. Together, we’ll process your experiences, explore your strengths, and discover your path forward. We’re in this journey together, and I look forward to meeting you!
Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Education
Master's in Mental Health Counseling, Seminary of the Southwest
Additional Specialties
College Students & Young Adults
Life Transitions
Anxiety & Depression
Perfectionism & People Pleasing
Dating & Relationships
FAQs about trauma & PTSD treatment in Austin
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You might benefit from trauma therapy if you:
Struggle with intrusive thoughts or memories of a traumatic event
Experience anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness
Have difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
Feel disconnected from your own life or emotions
Find it hard to cope with daily stressors or life transitions
Even if you don’t identify with all these signs, seeking support from a trauma therapist can help you better understand past experiences, its impact on your mental health and take steps toward healing.
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The main difference between a therapist and a trauma therapist is their focus. While all therapists support mental health and personal growth, trauma therapists specifically help people heal from traumatic experiences in a way that feels safe and empowering. They understand how trauma affects both the mind and body, often showing up as anxiety, emotional distress, or feeling stuck in the past. Instead of just talking through what happened, trauma therapists use approaches that help process painful memories, rebuild a sense of safety, and regain control. If trauma is impacting your daily life, relationships, or sense of well-being, working with a trauma therapist can provide the support and tools to help you move forward.
Key Differences:
Specialized Training: Trauma therapists often receive advanced education in trauma-informed care and therapies to help support the specific needs of their clients.
Focus on the Nervous System: Unlike general therapy, trauma therapy addresses how trauma affects the body and brain, helping clients regulate their nervous system and manage symptoms like anxiety disorders, dissociation, and flashbacks.
Different Therapeutic Modalities: Trauma therapists may incorporate more somatic and experiential modalities to help clients heal and process through their trauma.
A general therapist can support mental health concerns, relationship issues, and life transitions, but if trauma is a central issue, seeking a trauma therapist may provide a more targeted and effective healing process.
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The best therapy for trauma depends on your unique needs, and finding the right trauma therapist can make all the difference. A trauma-informed therapist understands how trauma affects both the mind and body of the individual client and tailors their approach to support in healing. Some of the most effective types of trauma therapy include:
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – Often used by EMDR-trained therapists, this approach helps process traumatic memories using guided eye movements to reduce emotional distress.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) – A structured method used by trauma therapists to help reframe negative thoughts and develop healthy coping strategies.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Taught by DBT-trained therapists, this approach focuses on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance for those struggling with intense emotions.
Somatic & Nature Based Therapy – this approach helps release stored trauma through movement, breathwork, and a deeper connection with nature.
Narrative Therapy & Art Therapy – Creative therapists use these methods to help clients express and reframe their trauma in a way that fosters healing and self-compassion.
At Willow Tree Collective, our trauma therapists draw on a variety of evidence-based approaches to best support each person’s unique journey. Reach out to learn more about their approach.
Ready to reclaim your story? Request your free consultation today.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with one of our Austin trauma therapists. Our counseling services are here to support your personal growth and mental well-being. We're ready to start this journey with you.
