In-Person or Virtual options available.

now accepting new Clients

(503) 841-2142

In-person or Virtual Options are Available | Now Accepting New Clients

(503) 841-2142

Individual & Career Counseling:
$85.00–95.00/ Session
Payment is required at the beginning of each session, unless special arrangements are made in advance.

Counseling Rates

Trauma can leave you feeling helpless, disconnected, and emotionally numb. It often weakens your sense of self and creates barriers to experiencing joy and connection.

When left unaddressed, trauma can lead to challenges such as anxiety or depression, making it harder to navigate daily life. However, there is hope. Through trauma counseling, you can reduce symptoms, process your experiences, and begin the journey toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If you’re searching for a compassionate and experienced trauma or PTSD therapist, my office in Tigard serves clients from the surrounding areas. Let’s work together to rebuild your sense of self and help you find the healing you deserve.

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

Finding Hope Through Trauma Counseling

Heal and Rebuild with Trauma Counseling

Are you reliving a harmful event that feels impossible to escape? Do irritability, anger, or difficulty concentrating interfere with your relationships and daily life? These are common signs of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - but you don’t have to face them alone. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, Angelie is here to guide you toward healing and renewal.

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.”
—Benjamin Spock

Proudly Serving Tigard, Lake Oswego, and the Greater Portland Area

Cancellations must be made 24-48 hours in advance to avoid full charges.

Cancellation Policy

Clients wishing to use their insurance will be provided a Statement of Service so they may bill their insurance company directly. Please note the reimbursable amount is set by the insurance company.

Insurance

If you have additional questions, visit my Contact Page to learn more.

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Payment Forms

Typical session length is 50 minutes. Pillars of Hope Counseling also offers 90 minute sessions for couples who may need longer times. Family sessions are 90 minutes.

Rates

  • Being easily startled or frightened.
  • Constantly feeling on edge or overly watchful.
  • Difficulty concentrating or poor quality sleep.
  • Intense mood swings or avoidance of certain places or people.
  • Overwhelming feelings of fear, guilt, or shame.
  • Withdrawing from relationships or changes in eating habits.

Warning Signs of Trauma 

Understanding Trauma and PTSD

Recognizing the Impact of Traumatic Events

Trauma is a mental health concern triggered by a distressing or harmful event, such as an accident, domestic violence, or a natural disaster. According to the American Psychological Association, events like 9/11 or the pandemic have left lasting emotional scars on countless individuals. Other examples include car accidents, sports injuries, or surviving abuse, all of which can have long-term debilitating effects.

It’s normal to feel shock or unrest after a traumatic event. For instance, avoiding a street where an accident occurred for a few months is a natural response. However, when symptoms persist—like experiencing an elevated heart rate so severe you need help to leave the area—it may indicate persistent trauma requiring professional support.

Warning Signs of PTSD

  • Flashbacks or reliving the event as if it’s happening now.
  • Repetitive, distressing images or physical sensations like sweating or nausea.
  • Constant negative thoughts and emotional numbness.
  • Feeling hyperaroused, irritable, or prone to angry outbursts.

How Trauma Counseling Can Help

Trauma often causes feelings of helplessness, emotional numbness, or denial. Left unaddressed, it can lead to anxiety, depression, an inability to engage with family and friends, and other challenges. Through trauma counseling, you’ll have the space and tools to process these emotions, reduce symptoms, and regain control over your life.

Recognizing the Unique Challenges of Trauma and PTSD

While trauma and PTSD are closely related, they are distinct in their nature and impact. Trauma is an emotional response to experiencing or being involved in a life-threatening situation. It may cause feelings of shock, sadness, or anxiety and can lead to symptoms such as avoidance, mood swings, or fear.

On the other hand, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops when the emotional impact of trauma becomes prolonged and more intrusive. PTSD is a mental health condition that emotionally paralyzes individuals, making it difficult to function in daily life.

Understanding the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD

Key Differences

PTSD involves constantly reliving the event through flashbacks, seeing or hearing repetitive distressing images, and feeling hyperaroused or emotionally numb. These symptoms are far more persistent and debilitating, lasting months or even years after the event.

PTSD

Trauma often involves moments of anxiety or unease but doesn’t necessarily interfere with daily functioning. It is a natural emotional response to a distressing event.

Trauma

Research shows that both men and women experience trauma, but studies indicate women are more likely to develop PTSD following a traumatic event. Regardless of gender, trauma counseling can help individuals process their emotions, regain control, and begin the journey to healing.

Who is Affected?

Whether you’re navigating trauma or PTSD, counseling provides the tools and support needed to manage symptoms and reclaim your life. Together, we’ll explore your unique experience and create a personalized plan to help you move forward.

How Trauma Counseling Can Help

Tailored Trauma Counseling for Healing and Recovery

Trauma Counseling treatment involves addressing the emotional, mental, and physical impact of distressing events. By understanding your unique experience, we’ll use proven therapeutic techniques to help you process your emotions, manage triggers, and regain control over your life.

Effective Approaches to Trauma Treatment

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Reaching out for help is a brave and powerful decision. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, I provide a compassionate and supportive space where you can begin your healing journey. Whether you’re dealing with trauma or seeking clarity, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Here’s how to take the next step:

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s work together to help you regain balance and hope.

Courage and Strength Start Here

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on identifying and reframing negative thought patterns. By turning harmful beliefs into positive and constructive ones, CBT helps individuals view their trauma in a healthier way, reducing anxiety and emotional distress.

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What It Entails

CBT enables trauma survivors to leave the event in the past, allowing them to live more fully in the present. This method helps individuals process their emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

For more info on CBT check out The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders.

How It Helps

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help individuals manage intense emotions and reactions tied to trauma. This approach teaches practical coping skills that enhance self-awareness and resilience in everyday life.

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What It Entails

DBT provides structured techniques to reduce emotional overwhelm, manage triggers, and improve distress tolerance. By focusing on balance—accepting emotions while working toward change—this method helps trauma survivors develop healthier responses to stress and emotional pain.

Learn more about DPT. 

How It Helps

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting triggers associated with the traumatic event. For example, a person who was in a car accident might begin by visualizing the scene, progressing to visiting the location, and eventually driving through it.

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What It Entails

This approach reduces the fear tied to specific memories or situations, allowing individuals to reclaim their sense of safety and confidence.

To learn more about exposure therapy review.

How It Helps

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy separates individuals from their trauma, empowering them to rewrite the story of their experience. Tools like journaling and letter writing are often used to help individuals regain control and strength.

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What It Entails

By reframing the trauma through a new narrative, individuals can shift from feeling powerless to feeling empowered, leaving the pain in the past while focusing on the present and future.

Get more information about narrative therapy.

How It Helps

Each therapeutic approach is designed to meet your unique needs and help you process trauma in a safe, supportive environment. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels right for you, empowering you to move forward with strength and resilience.



A Path to Healing

Understanding Your Unique Experience Through Trauma Counseling

Trauma affects everyone differently, and understanding its type can help determine the most effective approach to healing. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, I tailor trauma counseling to meet your individual needs, addressing the specific ways trauma has impacted your life.

Exploring the
Three Types of Trauma

Types of Trauma Counseling Approaches

What It Is
Complex trauma involves exposure to multiple interconnected traumatic events, such as a combination of being robbed, experiencing a car accident, and losing a loved one in a short timeframe. These experiences create layers of emotional and psychological challenges.

How Trauma Counseling Helps
Counseling addresses the compounded impact of these events, helping individuals untangle their emotions and create a roadmap to healing and balance.

 Complex Trauma

What It Is
Chronic trauma results from repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as domestic violence, long-term abuse, or neglect. The ongoing nature of chronic trauma can lead to deeply ingrained emotional and behavioral patterns.

How Trauma Counseling Helps
Counseling focuses on breaking unhealthy patterns, developing coping strategies, and rebuilding emotional resilience over time.

Chronic Trauma

What It Is
Acute trauma stems from a single, distressing event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or witnessing a violent act. These experiences often lead to immediate emotional and physical reactions.

How Trauma Counseling Helps
Counseling provides tools to process the event, manage symptoms, and regain a sense of safety and stability.

Acute Trauma

Long-term counseling involves a deeper exploration of the trauma, often rewriting the narrative of the event to reduce its emotional intensity. This approach is particularly effective for chronic and complex trauma.

 Long-Term Trauma Counseling

Short-term counseling is designed to provide immediate support after a traumatic event. This focused approach helps individuals process the initial shock and begin the journey toward healing.

Short-Term Trauma Counseling

Whether you’re navigating acute, chronic, or complex trauma, trauma counseling offers personalized support and proven techniques to help you regain control and move forward. Together, we’ll create a plan that aligns with your unique needs and goals.

A Tailored Approach to Healing

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Let’s Work Toward Healing Together

Deciding to pursue counseling is a courageous choice and an important step toward reclaiming your life. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, I’m committed to helping you process your experiences, manage your emotions, and create a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.

Here’s how you can get started:

Your journey toward healing begins with one small, brave action. Let’s take it together.

Ready to Begin Trauma Counseling?

 FAQs: Trauma Counseling at Pillars of Hope Counseling

Healing from Trauma in a Safe and Supportive Space

Recovering from trauma is a journey, and counseling provides the guidance and tools needed to move forward. Below, I answer common questions about trauma therapy and what to expect during the healing process.

1. What type of counseling is best for trauma?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and Narrative Therapy are highly effective for trauma. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, I use these evidence-based approaches to help clients process their experiences, reduce symptoms, and regain control over their lives.

2. What kind of therapist do I need for trauma?

A therapist experienced in trauma counseling is essential. I specialize in helping individuals navigate the effects of trauma using personalized techniques and compassionate care, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for healing.

3. What therapy is used to let go of trauma?

Exposure Therapy helps clients confront and desensitize triggers, while Narrative Therapy allows them to reframe their experiences. I often combine these methods with CBT to provide a holistic approach to letting go of trauma.

4. How do I know if I need trauma counseling?

If you’re experiencing flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, overwhelming fear, or emotional numbness, trauma counseling can help. These symptoms often indicate unresolved trauma that may benefit from professional support.

5.  Is EMDR or CBT better for trauma?

Both are effective, but they serve different purposes. CBT focuses on reframing negative thoughts, while EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) targets unprocessed memories. At Pillars of Hope Counseling, I use a combination of therapies, such as CBT, DBT, and REBT, because they are evidence-based therapies with proven abilities to address and redirect intrusive thoughts, patterns, and triggers.

6. What is the most successful trauma therapy?

CBT is among the most successful trauma therapies due to its focus on changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. I also incorporate DBT, REBT, Exposure Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to tailor the approach to each client’s unique needs.

7. What are physical signs your body is releasing trauma?

Physical signs can include trembling, sweating, changes in breathing, or a sense of lightness. These are often signs of emotional release, which may occur during or after trauma counseling sessions.

8. What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD?

Common symptoms of complex PTSD include flashbacks, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, avoidance, mood swings, feelings of guilt, and difficulty trusting others. These symptoms can be addressed through trauma counseling, where we’ll work together to develop coping strategies and find relief.

9. What are signs of unhealed childhood trauma?

Signs may include difficulty forming relationships, heightened emotional responses, avoidance of certain situations, or persistent feelings of guilt and shame. Trauma counseling can help address these patterns and support healing and growth.

Have more questions or ready to start your journey toward healing?
Contact Angelie today to take the first step toward healing and growth.