Trauma, PTSD, and life after difficult experiences
Trauma and PTSD Therapy in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania
When what happened is still affecting how you feel, connect, or move through the day.
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You may be getting through work and everyday responsibilities while feeling on edge, disconnected, or caught in memories you did not choose to revisit. Perhaps something happened recently, or an experience from years ago is becoming harder to carry.
At Forward Wellness, you can seek support for how those experiences are affecting you now. Together, we can explore your needs, discuss treatment options, and work toward changes that matter in your daily life.
Online support across Pennsylvania. In-person options depend on clinician and location availability.
What you are carrying deserves attention
You may wonder whether the word trauma fits your experience. You may also know what happened and still find it difficult to explain its impact.
What you may be noticing
Perhaps trust feels harder, sleep is disrupted, or situations you once managed now feel overwhelming.
What belongs in the conversation
Your culture, identities, relationships, and current circumstances belong in that conversation. Experiences of discrimination, limited support, or ongoing uncertainty can affect what you need from care.
You can begin with those concerns. Your therapist can help you understand what may be happening and discuss an appropriate plan.
What trauma and PTSD therapy can support
Six areas of support. Swipe or scroll to explore.
Distressing memories and reminders
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Feeling on edge
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Avoidance and disconnection
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Shame and difficult beliefs about yourself
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Birth and reproductive trauma
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Grief alongside trauma
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Our approach
How we work with you
Your experiences are shaped by the relationships, cultures, and conditions around you. We take time to understand what is affecting you now, what has helped you get through it, and what you want from support.
Understand your concerns in context
There is room for your symptoms alongside your family history, identities, physical wellbeing, and everyday responsibilities. Experiences of racism, ableism, discrimination, or being misunderstood can also belong in the conversation.
Choose an approach together
Your goals, preferences, communication style, and access needs help shape the work. Your clinician can explain the approaches they offer, discuss why an option may fit, and make room for your questions and choices.
Build support around you
Together, we explore coping strategies and the relationships, resources, and other forms of care that may support you. You can discuss whether involving another provider or trusted person would be useful, with attention to your consent, privacy, and boundaries.
Review what is helping
You can tell us when something feels helpful, confusing, or out of step with your experience. We revisit your goals, consider what is changing in your life, and discuss adjustments together.
People you can work with
Meet clinicians who support trauma-related concerns
You may want a therapist who understands PTSD, reproductive trauma, grief, neurodivergence, or queer and gender-diverse experiences. These clinicians offer different areas of focus.
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A first step together
Starting trauma therapy in Pittsburgh or online
Complete our appointment request form and let us know you are looking for trauma or PTSD support. A brief description of what is affecting you, along with your scheduling and clinician preferences, is a useful place to begin.
All intakes are currently virtual.
In-person options and locations
Questions before completing the form?
Questions about trauma and PTSD therapy
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to reach out?
No. You can seek support for distress after difficult experiences without already knowing whether you have PTSD. Your clinician can assess your concerns and discuss what type of care may be appropriate.
What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
Traumatic experiences can affect people in different ways. PTSD is a specific diagnosis involving a pattern of symptoms that persists beyond a month and interferes with daily life.
A clinician considers the full criteria; experiencing distress does not automatically mean you have PTSD.
Will I have to explain everything in the first session?
You can begin by describing what is affecting you now and asking what your clinician needs to understand.
Some treatments involve working with difficult memories. Your therapist can explain that process and discuss how to approach it with you.
Does Forward Wellness offer EMDR therapy?
Tayler Giffen offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, as part of her approach. EMDR is a structured treatment that involves attending to a memory while following a back-and-forth movement or sound.
Ask about suitability and current availability. EMDR is not offered by every clinician.
Can I attend trauma therapy online in Pennsylvania?
Forward Wellness offers online appointments across Pennsylvania. You must be physically in Pennsylvania for these sessions.
Your clinician can discuss whether online care is appropriate for your needs and any available in-person options.
What does trauma therapy cost, and can I use insurance?
Fees, insurance participation, and sliding-scale options vary by clinician.
Include your insurance and any cost concerns when you reach out so the team can clarify available options and help you check coverage for the proposed service.
Your next step
Start with how life feels now
Perhaps sleep is difficult, reminders keep interrupting your day, or you are tired of feeling on guard. You can begin by telling us what is hardest right now and what you would like support with.
You do not need a complete account of your experience to take the first step.