PTSD and Trauma Treatment
in Orange County, California
In addition, certain professions involve routine exposure to danger, injury, human suffering, or life-threatening situations. So, first responders, military service members, emergency personnel, and frontline healthcare workers have disproportionately higher rates of trauma-related conditions. Therefore, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the prevalence of PTSD among people in the United States is approximately 6.8%.2
A Better Life Recovery is a specialized trauma treatment facility in San Juan Capistrano. We offer eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy under board-certified psychiatrists and licensed trauma therapists.
Further, trauma co-occurs with substance use disorders frequently, so we also provide dual diagnosis treatment in a safe environment with 24/7 clinical support. Contact us today for a free, confidential trauma assessment.
If you would like to understand more about the PTSD and trauma treatment options we provide, this page can walk you through:
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- The trauma-related conditions we treat
- The types of trauma we can help with
- Our approach to trauma treatment
- How we go about dual diagnosis treatment
- The specialists on our team
- What to expect in treatment
- How to navigate the insurance and admissions process
Trauma-Related Conditions We Treat
At A Better Life Recovery, we treat all DSM-5 recognized trauma- and stressor-related conditions, which include:
- PTSD: This can develop following exposure to death, serious injury, sexual violence, natural disasters, and so on. Symptoms include intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related reminders, negative changes in mood and cognition, and persistent hyperarousal. These typically last longer than one month.
- Complex PTSD: Complex PTSD (or complex trauma) is now a formally recognized diagnosis by the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11). It is separate from PTSD, and it is used to explain prolonged, repeated exposure to traumatic events beginning from an early age. In addition to classic PTSD symptoms, complex trauma leads to struggles with emotional regulation, shame, distorted self-concept, and severe difficulties in maintaining relationships.
- Acute Stress Disorder: This occurs in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. The symptoms of acute stress appear within three days of the stressor and last up to one month. Untreated acute stress can turn into PTSD.
- Adjustment Disorder: Some emotional and behavioral symptoms develop in response to an identifiable change in life. Stress symptoms that are disproportionate to the stressor and occur within three months of it are classified as adjustment disorder.
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD): This is a childhood diagnosis arising from severe neglect, abuse, or repeated changes in the attitude of caregivers. It causes an emotionally withdrawn behavior toward adult caregivers with episodes of unexplained irritability. Without healing experiences, the symptoms can persist into adulthood.
- Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder: Also rooted in early neglect, disinhibited social engagement disorder causes a child to have overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults. The lack of appropriate caution in social settings can have long-term implications.
- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: This dissociative disorder is defined by experiences of depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself) and/or derealization (feeling that the world is unreal or dreamlike). It develops as a coping mechanism against chronic stress.
- Trauma with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder: A lot of individuals with trauma histories turn to substances as a way to numb their symptoms. Further, trauma-related disorders and substance use disorders can reinforce one another.
Types of Trauma We Treat
Trauma is not universally experienced in the same way. Our nervous systems have different thresholds. Something that overwhelms one person may not have the same effect on another person.
At A Better Life Recovery, the most common forms of trauma we treat stem from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Physical abuse involves the use of force that causes injury, pain, or fear. Emotional abuse isn’t as obvious as physical maltreatment, but it results in complex trauma-related symptoms. Forms of emotional abuse include chronic criticism, manipulation, humiliation, or neglect that destroys identity.
Sexual abuse and assault violate personal boundaries in profound ways. They can result in shame, dissociation, mistrust, long-term disruption in relationships, invasion of bodily autonomy, and so on.
In many cases, domestic abuse combines all three forms of trauma from environments that are supposed to be safe. A child may also be subject to any of the three, the effects of which often follow them in adolescence and adulthood.
We also treat occupation-related trauma in people whose work places them in repeated proximity to danger, such as:
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- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Emergency medical personnel
- Paramedics
- Combat and military personnel
Trauma can also arise in otherwise healthy individuals from specific life circumstances, for example, grief, bereavement, loss of a loved one, serious accidents, or witnessing a natural disaster. We take care of these people, too.
Our Trauma Treatment Approach
We use evidence-based, trauma-focused therapies individualized to your personal history. Here’s an inside look at our approach to therapy.
Trauma-Focused Therapies
All forms of therapy during your course of treatment will be based on scientific research. Our board-certified mental health professionals are trained to use the following types of therapy:
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- EMDR, a structured approach that uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to reprocess traumatic memories.
- Trauma therapy, which is an integrated approach to understanding the extent and impact of trauma on your nervous system.
- Cognitive processing therapy, which is used to challenge unhelpful beliefs related to trauma, safety, trust, power, control, self-worth, and guilt. Those beliefs are replaced by realistic perspectives.
- Exposure therapy, used to introduce individuals to situations they avoid because they were previously traumatized by them. Of course, the exposure is gradual and safe until the reminders of trauma are no longer dangerous.
- Dialectical behavior therapy, to provide practical skills for emotional regulation and tolerance of distressing situations.
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, combining cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices, to help you learn awareness of your thoughts.
Psychiatric Care
Every person at A Better Life Recovery gets comprehensive psychiatric care under on-site, board-certified psychiatrists. It begins with an in-depth psychiatric assessment of your symptoms, history, current challenges, and medical and emotional needs.
Medical management is then offered if necessary, as some PTSD symptoms may require medication to bring them under control. Here are some examples:
- SSRIs or SNRIs are used to manage anxiety.
- Prazosin can be given for sleep disturbances and nightmares.
- Mood stabilizers or certain atypical antipsychotic medications may be given if your condition worsens towards psychosis.
In addition, research shows that people living with PTSD are at a significantly higher risk for suicidal ideation.3 Therefore, all trauma patients are under supervised surveillance so that any crisis situations can be managed the moment they arise.
Therapy Formats
You can’t heal from trauma in one room. For this reason, our treatment programs include a combination of formats that have been validated by research.
Most of the therapy sessions are one-on-one private sessions with a trauma-trained therapist. In these sessions, you discuss your experiences and process all the distressing memories at your own pace.
At the same time, trauma-focused group therapy gives you emotional support. This is where people share, listen, and learn how to cope with their trauma alongside others who understand it from lived experience.
Your family members may also be involved in therapy whenever needed. The goal is to help them understand the effects of your traumatic experiences and rebuild a stronger connection with you.
We also provide grief counseling for those who have been through the loss of a loved one.
Trauma and Addiction: Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or sedatives can be used to numb the intrusive memories of past trauma. This is why people with PTSD are significantly more likely to develop substance use disorders.5
The dual diagnosis treatment program at A Better Life Recovery helps break the cycle of addiction and trauma. For instance, EMDR and trauma-focused therapy can help your nervous system process traumatic experiences that no longer need to be numbed through active substances.
Specialized Trauma Programs
It is well known that LGBTQIA+ individuals are more likely to have mental health issues due to prior negative experiences, including PTSD.6 We provide LGBTQIA+ tailored treatment that affirms the experiences of trauma survivors compounded by discrimination, rejection, identity-based violence, or minority stress.
Further, those in stressful jobs who are exposed to frequent trauma, such as first responders and military personnel, and so on, also may reach a point where their bodies can not take it any longer. This is why our treatment program is customized for police officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, and service members, too.
In addition, we offer specialized grief counseling for people whose trauma began with some kind of loss. This could be the death of a loved one, sudden tragedy, complicated bereavement, or cumulative losses that never had space to be fully processed.
Our Trauma Treatment Team
A Better Life Recovery has a coordinated, highly trained team of trauma specialists working together. It includes:
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- Board-certified psychiatrists (MD or DO) who oversee psychiatric evaluations, diagnoses, and medication management
- EMDR-trained therapists
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) for monitoring symptoms
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs)
All our clients have 24/7 access to clinical staff who can cater to any emergency that arises during their therapeutic stay. We also maintain a 1:2.5 staff-to-client ratio to ensure individualized attention to each patient.
What to Expect in Trauma Treatment
Every trauma treatment program at A Better Life Recovery starts with a comprehensive psychiatric and trauma assessment. During this session, our clinical team sits with you to understand your history, symptoms, strengths, and immediate needs.
From there, we develop an individualized trauma treatment plan for you. This plan includes therapeutic approaches, medications, and supportive services as needed.
Before any deep trauma processing begins, we ensure you are safe and stable enough and that your acute symptoms have subsided. As treatment progresses, you get involved in individual EMDR and trauma therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, skills training, and mindfulness-based practices.
All this while, you stay in a comfortable residential accommodation where you get chef-prepared, nutritious meals. On average, residential stay ranges from 30 to 60 days.
Insurance and Admissions
A Better Life Recovery works hard to remove as many barriers as possible to allow patients to begin their treatment. We work with the following insurance networks:
- Anthem, Bluecross Blueshield, Fristcross, Humana, HMC Healthworks, Coventry Healthcare of Dela, ComPsych, HealthNet, MHN A Health Net Company
Our admissions team will help you verify your coverage benefits so you don’t have to figure it out on your own during an already stressful time. The insurance verification is free and confidential, and once verified, same-day admission is possible.
We also accept TRICARE, which covers treatment for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families.
A Better Life Recovery serves individuals throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and San Juan Capistrano.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
If you’re ready to break free from substance use addiction, reach out to us today to arrange a free, confidential consultation. Our 24/7 admissions helpline can answer any questions you may have. Let us support you on your journey to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is EMDR and How Does It Help Trauma?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories. It reduces the emotional intensity of trauma and is recognized by the WHO, VA, and APA as an effective PTSD treatment.
How Long Does Trauma Treatment Take?
Residential treatment at A Better Life Recovery typically lasts for 30–60 days. However, if you’re dealing with complex trauma or multiple traumas, you may need a longer stay. Our clinical team will work with you to determine the appropriate length of residency.
Can You Treat Trauma and Addiction Together?
Yes, our dual diagnosis program specializes in treating trauma and addiction simultaneously. Many people develop addiction as a way to cope with unprocessed trauma, and we address both conditions together.
Do You Treat First Responders and Veterans?
Yes, we offer first responder-tailored treatment for police, fire, EMS, and military personnel. We accept TRICARE and first responder insurance plans.
Is Trauma Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Yes, the Mental Health Parity Act requires insurance providers to cover PTSD and trauma treatment in their plans.7 You can contact us for a free, confidential insurance verification.
References
- World Health Organization. (2024, May 27). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Www.nimh.nih.gov; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- Fox, V., Dalman, C., Dal, H., Hollander, A.-C., Kirkbride, J. B., & Pitman, A. (2020). Suicide risk in people with post-traumatic stress disorder: a cohort study of 3.1 million people in Sweden. Journal of Affective Disorders, 279(279). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.009
- Broekhof, R., Nordahl, H. M., Tanum, L., & Selvik, S. G. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences and their association with substance use disorders in adulthood: A general population study. Addictive Behaviour Reports, 17(100488), 100488–100488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2023.100488
- Gulliyev, C., Kalkan, Ö., Tekin, K., Tuna, Z., & Ögel, K. (2021). Comparison of individuals with and without the risk of PTSD in terms of the substance use features and psychological problems based on their substance preferences. Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry, 22(0), 1. https://doi.org/10.5455/apd.14413
- Marchi, M., Travascio, A., Uberti, D., Edoardo De Micheli, Pietro Grenzi, Arcolin, E., Luca Pingani, Ferrari, S., & Gian Maria Galeazzi. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder among LGBTQ people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 32(44). https://doi.org/10.1017/s2045796023000586
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). The mental health parity and addiction equity act (MHPAEA). Www.cms.gov. https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity
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