Home | Therapies | Trauma Therapy

Trauma-Informed Therapy Philadelphia

Trauma can shape how a person experiences the world long after a traumatic event has passed. It can affect emotions, relationships, physical health, and the ability to feel safe or present in daily life. For many individuals, unresolved trauma is also closely connected to substance use, as drugs or alcohol may become a way to manage pain, anxiety, or overwhelming memories. At MPower Wellness, we provide trauma therapy Philadelphia that recognizes trauma and addiction as deeply interconnected.

Author: Tom DeVitis, MA, LPC, CAADC

1 min read

Date Published: December 15, 2025

What Is Trauma? And Finding the Right Trauma Therapist in Pennsylvania

Trauma occurs when an experience overwhelms a person’s ability to cope, process, or feel safe. It can result from a single traumatic event or from repeated exposure to distressing situations over time.

Trauma does not only affect memory. It alters how the nervous system responds to stress, how emotions are regulated, and how a person experiences relationships and daily life.

Trauma is commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumatic stress disorders, but it can also present in less obvious ways, including anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, chronic tension, or difficulty trusting others. Many individuals live for years with trauma symptoms without realizing their experiences are trauma-related.

Types of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences

Trauma can take many forms, and each type can impact individuals differently depending on timing, duration, and available support for PTSD treatment in Pennsylvania.

Single-Event Trauma

Single-event trauma results from a sudden, overwhelming experience such as an accident, assault, medical emergency, or unexpected loss. Even brief events can disrupt the nervous system and lead to intrusive memories, heightened alertness, or avoidance behaviors that persist long after the event has passed.

Chronic or Repeated Trauma

Chronic trauma develops from ongoing exposure to distress, including abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or long-term instability. This type of trauma often affects emotional regulation, self-worth, and relationship patterns, creating lasting stress responses and difficulty feeling safe.

Developmental and Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma occurs during critical periods of emotional development and can interfere with healthy stress response systems and attachment. Adults with unresolved childhood trauma may struggle with mood instability, shame, or relationship challenges despite functioning well outwardly.

Complex Trauma

Complex trauma involves multiple traumatic experiences, often within relationships or caregiving environments. It is commonly associated with emotional dysregulation, identity struggles, and long-term mental health challenges that benefit from trauma-informed, integrated care.

Regardless of the type, trauma can reshape how the brain and body respond to perceived threats, making everyday stress feel overwhelming and unpredictable.

Request a Call

Struggling with addiction or mental health? You don’t have to face it alone—request a confidential call today.

Request a confidential call from a member of our team. We are here to guide you through the admissions process, explain treatment options and costs, and help you understand what to expect. thats for request a call

"*" indicates required fields

The Impact of Trauma on Substance Use and Addiction

For many individuals, unresolved trauma increases vulnerability to substance use as a way to manage emotional pain, anxiety, or intrusive memories. Drugs or alcohol may temporarily reduce distress, numb emotional discomfort, or create a sense of control. Over time, however, substance use often intensifies trauma symptoms rather than resolving them.

Trauma-related substance use can interfere with emotional regulation, disrupt sleep, and increase feelings of shame or isolation. As dependence develops, individuals may find themselves caught in a cycle where trauma fuels substance use and substance use worsens trauma symptoms.

At MPower Wellness, we recognize this connection is why trauma therapy that is integrated with addiction treatment is essential for long-term recovery. Addressing trauma and substance use together allows individuals to build healthier coping strategies, reduce relapse risk, and support healing at both the emotional and behavioral levels.

Trauma Symptoms and How They Affect Daily Life

Trauma symptoms can vary widely from person to person and may change over time. Some symptoms are immediately recognizable, while others are more subtle and show up in emotional patterns, physical health, or relationships. Trauma affects both the mind and body, often disrupting how individuals respond to stress and feel safe in their daily lives.

Common emotional and psychological trauma symptoms may include:

Intrusive memories or distressing thoughts related to a traumatic event
Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
Emotional reactivity, irritability, or sudden mood shifts
Emotional numbness, detachment, or feeling disconnected from others
Anxiety, panic, or persistent fear

Physical and cognitive trauma symptoms may include:

Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or nightmares
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Chronic tension, fatigue, or unexplained physical discomfort
Heightened startle response or nervous system dysregulation

When trauma remains untreated, these symptoms can interfere with daily life in significant ways. Individuals may struggle to maintain relationships, manage responsibilities, or cope with stress without turning to substances for relief. Over time, untreated trauma can reduce overall quality of life and increase vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and substance use.

MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Up to 100% of the costs covered by insurance. At MPower Wellness, we accept most insurance plans. Verify your insurance to get information about your coverage.

Trauma-Informed Therapy Practices and Effective Therapy Approaches

Effective trauma therapy requires approaches that are both research-supported and sensitive to the lived experience of trauma. At MPower Wellness, trauma-informed care is delivered through evidence-based therapies that prioritize safety, emotional regulation, and gradual healing. These approaches are designed to address trauma symptoms while supporting mental health stability and addiction recovery, helping individuals move forward at a pace that feels supportive and sustainable.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive processing therapy is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. CPT helps individuals examine how trauma has shaped beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. By challenging unhelpful thought patterns, CPT supports emotional relief, improved mental health, and reduced reliance on substances to cope.

Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals understand the connection between trauma, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT supports practical coping strategies, anxiety reduction, and improved emotional regulation, making it especially helpful for individuals in addiction recovery.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems therapy helps individuals understand different “parts” of themselves that developed in response to trauma. IFS supports healing by fostering self-compassion and reducing internal conflict, which can lower the urge to use substances to manage emotional pain.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity. For individuals with PTSD or trauma-related substance use, EMDR can reduce triggers that lead to cravings or emotional overwhelm.

Somatic and Body-Based Trauma Therapy

Somatic approaches focus on how trauma is stored in the body. These therapies help individuals reconnect with physical sensations, regulate the nervous system, and release stored tension. Somatic trauma therapy is particularly helpful for people who struggle to verbalize trauma or feel disconnected from their bodies due to substance use.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a creative, trauma-informed approach that helps individuals express and process experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Through guided creative work, individuals can explore emotions, memories, and patterns connected to trauma in a safe and supportive way. Art therapy supports emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healing, while offering an alternative outlet to manage distress without turning to substances.

Trauma Therapy and Addiction Treatment: An Integrated Approach

Trauma and addiction are often intertwined. At MPower Wellness, trauma therapy is delivered alongside addiction treatment rather than as a separate or secondary service. This integrated approach helps individuals understand how trauma influences substance use patterns and develop healthier coping strategies that support sustained recovery.

Trauma therapy is available across multiple levels of care at MPower Wellness, allowing treatment to meet individuals where they are in the healing process. By addressing trauma and addiction together, individuals are better equipped to manage cravings, reduce relapse risk, and build emotional resilience.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our PHP program offers full-day treatment with the flexibility to return home in the evenings. This program supports individuals who need intensive trauma therapy and addiction treatment without overnight care.

IOP and Outpatient Treatment Program

Our IOP and outpatient therapy programs support ongoing healing, helping individuals process trauma, strengthen coping skills, and maintain recovery over time.

We’re here to walk with you through your options & answer every question.

Key takeaways

Effective trauma therapy requires approaches like CPT, EMDR, and Somatic Therapy to support nervous system regulation and process distressing memories safely.
Trauma impacts the nervous system and is often connected to substance use; therefore, integrated treatment of trauma and addiction is essential for lasting recovery.
Trauma alters emotional regulation, stress response, and relationship patterns, presenting as PTSD, anxiety, or emotional numbness, even in outwardly functional individuals.
Regardless of whether trauma is single-event or chronic, personalized, trauma-informed care prioritizes safety, gradual healing, and developing healthier coping strategies.

FAQ: Trauma Therapy in Philadelphia

If you have additional questions, give us a call at (484) 517-3005.

How is trauma therapy different from general mental health therapy?

Trauma therapy is specifically designed to address how traumatic experiences affect the nervous system, emotional responses, and sense of safety. Unlike general therapy, trauma-informed treatment focuses on reducing trauma symptoms, improving emotional regulation, and supporting the healing process in a way that avoids re-traumatization.

Can trauma therapy help with substance use and addiction recovery?

Yes. Trauma therapy is often a critical part of addiction treatment because unresolved trauma can drive substance use as a coping strategy. Treating trauma alongside addiction helps reduce cravings, improve emotional stability, and lower the risk of relapse over time.

What types of trauma can be treated in therapy?

Trauma therapy can support individuals who have experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing trauma, including childhood trauma, interpersonal violence, accidents, medical trauma, or chronic stress. Treatment is personalized to each person’s experiences and symptoms.

How long does trauma therapy usually take?

The length of trauma therapy varies depending on the individual, the type of trauma, and whether there are co-occurring mental health or substance use concerns. Some people experience relief within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term therapy as part of ongoing recovery and personal growth.

Is trauma therapy appropriate for adults who feel “functional” but still struggle?

Yes. Many adults appear to function well in daily life while still carrying unresolved trauma that affects relationships, emotional well-being, or coping habits. Trauma therapy can help individuals improve their quality of life, strengthen their relationships, and develop healthier responses to stress.

Why Choose MPower Wellness for Trauma Therapy Philadelphia

MPower Wellness offers trauma therapy in Philadelphia that is compassionate, evidence-based, and deeply integrated with addiction treatment. Our experienced therapists understand the complexity of trauma, mental health, and substance use, and we tailor care to each person’s needs.

Healing is a process, not a destination. If trauma has been affecting your mental health, relationships, or substance use, you do not have to face it alone. MPower Wellness is here to support your healing journey with care, expertise, and respect. Contact us today to learn more about trauma therapy, verify insurance, or take the next step toward recovery and lasting well-being.

Sources

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). Understanding the impact of trauma (Chapter 3). In Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services (Treatment Improvement Protocol [TIP] Series No. 57). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/

Khoury, L., Tang, Y. L., Bradley, B., Cubells, J. F., & Ressler, K. J. (2010). Substance use, childhood traumatic experience, and posttraumatic stress disorder in an urban civilian population. Depression and Anxiety, 27(12), 1077–1086. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20751

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Coping with traumatic events. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/coping-with-traumatic-events

To learn more, give us a call, fill out our free insurance form, or send us an email—whatever’s easiest for you. We’re here to answer your questions and help you take the next step.

Tom DeVitis, MA, LPC, CAADC

Executive Director

Tom DeVitis is a dedicated behavioral health leader and clinical expert with over a decade of experience in the field of substance abuse treatment. As the Executive Director of MPower Wellness, Tom combines his clinical background as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) with a passion for educational outreach and advocacy.

Dr. Deepraj Singh

Medical Director

Dr. Deepraj Singh is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Medical Director at MPower Wellness. With a career spanning emergency psychiatry to outpatient and inpatient care, she brings a wealth of clinical expertise and a passion for medical education to her work. Dr. Singh previously served on the faculty at Drexel University, where she dedicated herself to teaching resident physicians and medical students.

Last updated: January 31, 2026