Trauma & PTSD

We treat PTSD & trauma with empathy and science

At Storywell Counseling, we specialize in trauma therapy using evidence-based approaches that actually work. We understand that trauma isn’t something you can just “get over,” and we’re here to walk alongside you as you heal at your own pace.

  • Before we do any trauma processing work, we spend time helping you feel safe and grounded. This includes:

    • Developing a trusting relationship with your therapist

    • Learning practical skills for managing anxiety, panic, and overwhelming emotions

    • Creating “safe place” imagery you can access whenever you need calm

    • Understanding how trauma affects your brain and body (because knowledge is power)

    • Building inner resources and strengths you can rely on

    You won’t move to the next phase until you feel ready. This is about empowerment, not pressure.

  • Once you have the tools and stability you need, we begin the careful work of processing traumatic memories. Using techniques like EMDR memory reprocessing, we help your brain integrate these experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.

    Here’s what’s important: you’re always in control. You decide what to work on, how fast to go, and when to take breaks. Your therapist is there to guide and support you, but you’re never forced to talk about anything you’re not ready to address.

  • As traumatic memories lose their power over you, we focus on helping you reconnect with the things that matter most. This includes:

    • Rebuilding relationships and trust

    • Rediscovering activities and interests you’ve avoided

    • Developing a sense of purpose and meaning

    • Creating a vision for your future that excites you rather than scares you

    • Integrating what you’ve learned into your daily life

Healing from trauma doesn’t mean the past disappears. It means you can remember what happened without being controlled by it. It means you can feel safe in your own body again. It means you can trust yourself and others. It means you can live fully in the present instead of being trapped in the past.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is your mind and body’s response to experiences that felt overwhelming, dangerous, or life-threatening. It’s not about what happened to you, it’s about how those experiences affected you. Sometimes trauma comes from a single incident. Other times it develops from repeated experiences over months or years. Both are real, both are valid, and both deserve care and attention.

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Our Therapists

Chelsea brings authenticity, directness, and evidence-based expertise to her work with clients facing trauma, anxiety, and significant life transitions. With specialized training in EMDR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she creates a safe space for genuine transformation and lasting healing.

Edward brings warmth, compassion, and evidence-based expertise to his work with clients facing grief, infertility, relationship challenges, and life transitions. With training in Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, the Gottman Method, and faith-based approaches, he creates a safe space where you feel truly heard, understood, and supported.

We understand the importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit for you.

Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

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Trauma and PTSD Therapy in Westerville Ohio

What Makes Our Trauma Therapy Different

We go at your pace. Healing can’t be rushed. We’ll never push you faster than feels safe, and we’ll never judge you for needing more time.

We believe in your capacity to heal. Trauma changes you, but it doesn’t have to define you forever. We’ve seen countless people heal from experiences they thought would destroy them. We hold hope for your healing even on days when you can’t hold it yourself.

We work with your body, not just your mind. Trauma is stored in the body. We incorporate somatic (body-based) awareness into our work, helping you notice and release the physical tension and activation that trauma creates. EMDR, grounding techniques, and mindfulness all help your body process what your mind can’t fully put into words.

We don’t avoid the hard stuff. We won’t minimize what happened to you or try to find silver linings before you’re ready. If your trauma was horrific, we can handle that. If you need to express rage, grief, or despair, we can hold space for that. You don’t have to protect us from the reality of what you’ve been through.

We build the foundation first. Before we ever touch traumatic memories, we spend time helping you feel safe, develop coping skills, build inner resources, and create a strong therapeutic relationship. We never rush to “get to the trauma.” The preparation phase is just as important as the processing phase.

We understand that safety is everything. For trauma survivors, feeling safe physically, emotionally, and relationally can be incredibly difficult. We work hard to create an environment where you genuinely feel safe. This means predictability, clear boundaries, honoring your autonomy, and never pressuring you to do anything you’re not ready for.

We treat you as the expert on your experience. You know what happened to you and what you need better than anyone else. We won’t tell you how you should feel, what you should remember, or how fast you should heal. We collaborate with you, following your lead while offering our expertise and guidance.

Expert Mental Health Therapy in Westerville, Ohio and Online

Whether you prefer to meet in person or online, our goal is the same: to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

In-Person

You’ll find cozy seating, warm lighting, and thoughtful touches to help you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.

Email: info@storywellcounseling.com

Phone: (614) 300-7043

Address: 190 S. State St. Suite A, Westerville, OH 43081

Parking & Accessibility

  • Ample free parking is available on site.

  • Easily accessible with no stairs, ensuring a comfortable visit for all clients.

Telehealth

We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for clients who prefer the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or simply feel more comfortable in your own space, telehealth makes it easy to connect, heal, and grow—no matter where you are.

Details

  • Platform: Therapy Notes

  • Privacy & Security: All virtual sessions are conducted using a secure, HIPAA—compliant platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.

  • Technology Requirements: A stable internet connection, a quiet space, and a device with a camera and microphone.

How it Works

  • Step 1: Connect With Us

    Choose the therapist whose specialties resonate with what you’re going through, or reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call and we’ll help you find the right fit. 614-300-7043

  • Step 2: Share Your Story

    In your first session, we’ll take time to understand what brings you here, what you’re hoping for, and what matters most to you. This is your space to be heard and to ask any questions you have about therapy and how we work together.

  • Step 3: Move Forward Together

    From there, we walk alongside you using approaches tailored to your unique needs and goals. Therapy is a collaboration, you bring your story and your courage, and we bring expertise, compassion, and tools to help you find your way forward.

Ready to hit the ground running?

Request an Appointment today

Frequently Asked Questions about Trauma & PTSD

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out for a free 15-minute consultation.

  • PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories: intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares, distressing thoughts), avoidance (staying away from reminders of the trauma, avoiding talking about it), negative changes in thinking and mood (feeling hopeless, difficulty remembering aspects of the trauma, feeling detached from others), and changes in physical and emotional reactions (being easily startled, trouble sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance). To be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must last more than one month and significantly interfere with your daily life, relationships, or work.

  • The duration of trauma therapy varies greatly depending on the type and complexity of your trauma. Single-incident traumas may show improvement in 12-18 sessions with evidence-based treatments like EMDR. Complex trauma from childhood abuse, multiple traumatic events, or long-term exposure typically requires longer-term treatment. Your therapist will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember, healing isn’t linear: it’s normal to have setbacks as part of the process.

  • Not necessarily. While some therapies like Prolonged Exposure involve discussing your trauma in detail, other approaches like EMDR don’t require you to describe what happened in depth. Your therapist can use trauma-focused treatments that are effective without requiring extensive verbal processing of the event. You’re always in control of what you share, and a good trauma therapist will never push you to disclose more than you’re comfortable with.

  • The development of PTSD is influenced by many factors including the severity and type of trauma, previous trauma history, existing mental health conditions, available support systems, and individual coping mechanisms. Having PTSD doesn’t mean you’re weak - it’s a normal response to abnormal circumstances. Factors that can increase resilience include strong social support, healthy coping strategies, and the ability to accept help from others. Even people who initially develop PTSD symptoms can fully recover with appropriate treatment.

  • Trauma is the emotional response to a distressing or life-threatening event. It’s normal to have strong reactions immediately after trauma: feeling anxious, overwhelmed, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing intrusive thoughts. For most people, these reactions naturally decrease within a few weeks. PTSD develops when these trauma responses don’t fade and continue to significantly impact your daily life for more than one month. PTSD is a diagnosable condition that requires professional treatment, while trauma responses are a normal part of human experience.

  • Yes, childhood trauma can have lasting effects into adulthood, affecting your relationships, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and physical health. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction can impact brain development and create patterns that persist throughout life. However, the good news is that trauma-focused therapy can effectively address childhood trauma at any age. Your brain has the capacity to heal and form new, healthier patterns through therapy, even decades after the original trauma occurred.