Trauma can affect emotional well-being, relationships, work performance, and daily functioning in ways that are not always easy to recognize. Pegasus Treatment Center, located in Willingboro, New Jersey, provides trauma-informed care as part of our therapy services within our behavioral health and addiction treatment programs, supporting adults who are managing trauma alongside substance use or other mental health concerns.
For adults whose trauma is connected to substance use or a co-occurring mental health condition, an integrated treatment program, one that addresses both concerns at the same time, is generally recommended over treating each issue separately, according to SAMHSA’s 2014 Treatment Improvement Protocol on trauma-informed care (TIP 57).
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma-informed treatment prioritizes safety, trust, and collaboration between the client and clinician. Treatment plans are individualized, meaning the approach is shaped by each person’s history, current symptoms, and goals, rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
How Does Trauma Affect Mental Health?
Common effects that some people experience following trauma include:
- Persistent anxiety or fear, even in safe situations
- Difficulty regulating emotions or managing emotional reactions
- Sleep problems, including nightmares or insomnia
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations that feel triggering
- Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships
- Trouble concentrating or staying present
- Withdrawal from activities that were once meaningful
These experiences exist on a spectrum. Some people notice mild disruptions; others find that trauma significantly interferes with work, relationships, and daily functioning. A clinical assessment can help clarify what someone is experiencing and what level of support may be appropriate.
What Types of Trauma Therapy Are Used?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that helps individuals identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns. Cognitive behavioral approaches help individuals identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns connected to traumatic experiences.
In practice, this may involve examining beliefs formed during or after a traumatic event, such as self-blame or a sense that the world is entirely unsafe, and replacing them with more accurate, balanced perspectives. Skill-building is a core component, giving clients practical tools for managing distress between sessions.
EMDR is a structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements, while a person briefly focuses on a traumatic memory. The American Psychological Association’s clinical practice guideline for PTSD conditionally recommends EMDR as a treatment option for adults with PTSD. The goal of EMDR is to reduce the emotional charge associated with distressing memories so they can be processed more adaptively.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was originally developed for individuals with significant emotional dysregulation and is now widely used in trauma treatment. DBT focuses on four core skill areas: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
For people whose trauma has led to intense emotional reactions, self-destructive behaviors, or difficulty in relationships, DBT provides concrete skills for managing those challenges. Pegasus Treatment Center includes DBT among its therapeutic approaches. Anyone having thoughts of suicide or self-harm can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time.
Trauma-Informed Therapy vs. Trauma Therapy
In a trauma-informed setting, clinicians are trained to avoid practices that could retraumatize clients, and clients are given meaningful choices about their care. This approach recognizes that many people in behavioral health treatment have trauma histories, whether or not trauma is the primary presenting concern.
How Much Does Trauma Therapy Cost in NJ?
Pegasus Treatment Center works with insurance to help cover the cost of treatment. We are an out-of-network provider, which can offer individuals more flexibility in choosing care. Coverage for specific carriers should be confirmed directly with the admissions team, as coverage varies.
Begin Trauma Therapy at Pegasus Treatment Center
At Pegasus Treatment Center in Willingboro, New Jersey, trauma-informed care shapes every part of treatment for adults working through behavioral health and addiction concerns. Each client’s plan is individualized, drawing on approaches such as CBT to address unhelpful thought patterns, DBT to build emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills, and motivational interviewing to strengthen commitment to change. These therapies are delivered through individual, group, and family sessions, so clients can do personal work while also building support and repairing relationships affected by trauma.
Because trauma often overlaps with substance use or other mental health conditions, Pegasus treats these concerns together rather than separately. Dual diagnosis support addresses co-occurring conditions as part of a single plan. For clients who need structured care outside a hospital setting, Pegasus offers two levels of outpatient treatment: a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for more intensive daily support, and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for those ready for a more flexible schedule.
If trauma is affecting your daily life, relationships, or recovery from substance use, support is available. Contact Pegasus Treatment Center to begin the admissions process and verify insurance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
The length of trauma therapy depends on the type and severity of trauma, the treatment approach used, and the individual’s goals and progress. Some structured approaches, such as TF-CBT, are delivered over a defined number of sessions, while others are open-ended and adjusted over time. A clinician can provide a clearer estimate after an initial assessment.
Trauma therapy can address a wide range of experiences, including childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assault, accidents, loss, domestic violence, community violence, and medical trauma, among others. Clinicians do not require a formal PTSD diagnosis to provide trauma-focused care. What matters most is whether past experiences are currently affecting a person’s functioning or well-being.
For some people, substance use and trauma are closely connected, with substances used to manage distressing emotions or memories. Addressing trauma in treatment can help reduce some of the emotional triggers that contribute to cravings, though this varies by individual. Integrated treatment that addresses both trauma and substance use at the same time is generally recommended when both are present.
Yes. Pegasus Treatment Center in Willingboro, New Jersey, includes trauma-informed therapy among its clinical services, alongside CBT, DBT, individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Trauma and PTSD are treated on a co-occurring basis, alongside substance use treatment.
The first step is contacting a treatment provider to schedule an initial assessment. At Pegasus Treatment Center, our admissions team can walk through current concerns, treatment history, and insurance coverage to help determine the most appropriate level of care. No referral is required to reach out.
Many insurance plans cover outpatient behavioral health services, including trauma therapy, though coverage varies by plan and provider. Pegasus Treatment Center works with insurance and can assist with benefit verification during the admissions process. Confirming in-network status directly with the admissions team before starting treatment is recommended.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Rebecca is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families through life’s most challenging seasons. With a strong clinical background in hospital-based case management, she brings valuable experience from a wide range of healthcare and community settings. As a licensed social worker, Rebecca is known for her compassionate, client-centered approach, strong advocacy skills, and calm presence during times of crisis. Whether helping clients navigate complex systems or providing emotional support, her work is grounded in empathy, professionalism, and a genuine passion for improving lives.
