Trauma and PTSD therapy

You do not have to stay stuck in what happened. Change is possible, and support can help.

Susan Robens, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Oregon. About Susan

Trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Certified in Somatic Trauma Therapy

Two blue armchairs and a small table in a calm room with plants and bookshelves. Trauma and PTSD therapy near Tigard, Oregon.

Are past experiences still controlling your present?

Maybe you find yourself on edge all the time, even when there is no obvious threat. Maybe certain sounds, places or situations send you spiraling into a response that feels impossible to control. Perhaps you avoid certain topics, people or places because the memories are too painful. Or maybe you just feel numb, disconnected from the people and things you used to care about.

Trauma does not always look the way people expect. It is not always one dramatic event. It can come from childhood experiences, difficult relationships, the build-up of stress from major life changes, or events others might not recognize as traumatic but that deeply affected you.

Whatever your experience, you are not broken. What you are feeling is your mind and body’s response to something that overwhelmed your ability to cope at the time. With the right support, those responses can change.

How I work with trauma

For adults, I often use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a structured, well-researched treatment for PTSD that I am trained in. CPT helps you examine and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that have kept you stuck since the trauma, without having to relive it in graphic detail. Learn more about CPT.

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Somatic trauma therapy

Trauma is not only something we remember. It can live in the body: a tight chest, a startle that comes too fast, a numbness that will not lift. I am certified in Somatic Trauma Therapy, which works with those body responses as well as with thoughts and memories. Together we notice what is happening in your body, practice grounding, and help your stress response settle, always at a pace that feels safe to you. Somatic work can sit alongside CPT or be the main focus. Learn more about somatic trauma therapy.

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Other approaches I use

Alongside CPT and somatic work, I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present during the work, and CBT gives you practical tools for the thoughts and behaviors trauma can disrupt.

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Children and teens

Children who have been through something frightening often show it through behavior, sleep or play rather than words. With children aged 3 to 12, I use play therapy. With teens, I use talking approaches, including CBT and mindfulness. Parents are always part of the work.

Why trauma work matters to me

My training in trauma therapy began during my graduate internship at a residential center for mothers and children in recovery, where I worked with people who had experienced substance use, domestic violence and childhood trauma.

My understanding of trauma also comes from life. More than twenty years abroad, many international moves with five children, and career changes that meant rebuilding from the ground up taught me how destabilizing it feels when the ground keeps shifting beneath you. I bring that empathy into every session.

I work with single-incident trauma, complex trauma, childhood abuse, military-related trauma, sexual assault, accidents, natural disasters, and the cumulative impact of ongoing stress.

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An older woman's hands holding a white spotted mug. Trauma and PTSD therapy near Tigard, Oregon.

What to expect

We start with an assessment to understand your history, your symptoms and your goals. The first sessions focus on building trust and the coping skills you will need for the deeper work. If CPT is the right fit, we follow its structured sessions and review your progress together as we go.

Sessions take place at my office in King City, a few minutes from central Tigard, and by telehealth anywhere in Oregon for teens, adults and parent sessions. For adults, see also counseling for adults. For insurance, see insurance and fees.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CPT and EMDR?

Both are evidence-based treatments for PTSD. CPT focuses on changing the thoughts and beliefs connected to trauma through structured cognitive work. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. CPT tends to suit people who like a structured, practical approach. I offer CPT and somatic trauma therapy, not EMDR.

Will I have to describe my trauma in detail?

Not necessarily. CPT can be delivered with or without a detailed written account. Either way, the focus is on the meaning you have made of the experience, not on reliving it.

How long does trauma therapy take?

CPT usually runs about 12 weekly sessions. Some people benefit from additional sessions before or after to address related concerns. We decide together what you need.

Can trauma therapy help with anxiety and depression too?

Trauma often comes with anxiety and depression, and we can work on those alongside it.

Ready to talk?

You do not have to face this alone. Call 503-495-5072 or send a message for a free phone consultation.

Send a message

I will get back to you to arrange a free phone consultation.