FAQs

  • .Trauma-informed care means a therapist has a general understanding of how trauma affects people and the importance of creating a non judgmental space where you feel safe, supportive and respected. This approach helps prevent further harm and makes sure your experience is met with compassion and understanding.

    Trauma-specific care, on the other hand, is about specialized treatment designed specifically for healing trauma. This means using proven therapies that directly address the impact of trauma or PTSD. A trauma specialist clinicians should have advanced training to guide you through healing with methods like Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR, Prolonged Exposure and more.

    At Bella Health, trauma-informed care is how we approach all our work to keep you safe and supported. Trauma-specific care is the expert treatment we offer when trauma is the main challenge you’re facing.

  • Bella Health is a specialty PTSD practice rather than a single-modality practice. While Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most widely recognized trauma therapies, it is not the only effective treatment for PTSD.

    Research has identified several highly effective trauma-focused therapies, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, Prolonged Exposure (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) serves as the primary clinical foundation of Bella Health because of its extensive research support and strong recommendations from organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Center for PTSD, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS).

    Treatment recommendations are individualized and made collaboratively during consultation and intake based on symptoms, goals, treatment history, preferences, and clinical presentation.

  • Bella Health starts with a consultation and screening process that is typically 1-2 sessions to explore your current need areas, answer questions you have and determine if our services are a good fit for what you are looking for. If our services do not seem the best fit, we spend time reviewing recommendations and resources.

    If it is determined to be a good fit (which often it is!) we continue with an intake gathering some history, a better understanding of life events that led to the trauma responses, maintaining and triggering factors, symptom assessments, value exploration, goal setting and treatment planning. This is typically 1-2 sessions to assure we have a quality treatment path that best matches your priorities and preferences.

    Often folks will enter right into a treatment after the intake process is complete. On some occasions it is determined more safety planning, skills training or rapport building is needed.

  • Most likely. That is up to you. Bella Health can be an adjunct therapy in addition to regular talk therapist or a specialist of a different kind (e.g. eating disorder or OCD specialist).

  • That depends on your goals, progress, and preferences. Many clients complete treatment and no longer feel they need ongoing therapy. Others choose to transition to a longer-term support therapist for continued personal growth, life transitions, or general mental health support.

    Some clients return periodically for "booster" sessions to maintain gains, navigate new challenges, or support continued post-traumatic growth. In some cases, treatment may shift from symptom-focused trauma recovery toward exploring relationships, values, identity, meaning, and building a life beyond survival mode.

    Recommendations are individualized and discussed collaboratively throughout the treatment process.

  • Everyone’s recipe for what leads to healing and recovery is different. And, sometimes it’s all in the timing. Luckily there are many different options out there and we can discuss them during the consultation and evaluation process.

  • The short answer is yes. These are all common diagnoses associated with trauma. While these therapies may not directly address your co-occurring issue, you may still notice improvements in these areas. If you are having active symptoms related to another issue, it would be ideal for you to have support in place to treat those areas (e.g. eating disorder specialist/team, AA, NA, Sponsor, group therapy, case manager, etc.). Our services are often used in adjunct to other things. We can discuss this further during our first visit.

  • Not usually. All the services offered through Bella Health are designed to be short-term but with long lasting results.

    The length of time you are in therapy with Bella Health depends your treatment plan and goals.

  • Bella health does not offer after-hours support. We can develop a wellness or safety plan that will identify crisis and after hours resources should you need additional support after hours.

    If you are often struggling with your safety or often in crisis, we may discuss other skills, resources, or supports that may be more beneficial to you right now.

    Having good supports. resources, and skills in place to help you through the process are always recommended.

  • Do you experience bothersome and intrusive thoughts or memories? Do you find yourself avoiding things, people, and your own feelings? Have you noticed often feeling tense or emotionally numb? Do you notice yourself thinking really negatively about yourself, others, or the world? If you said “yes” to any of these, you may be experiencing PTSD.

    Are you feeling motivated to make a change? If yes, contact us!

    Even if you don’t meet the exact criteria for PTSD, some of these therapies might still be of benefit to you. Through a thorough consultation, we can further assess your symptoms, goals and desires and explore treatment options.