Trauma Therapy in Greensburg, PA: Understanding How Your Brain Heals After Trauma

Trauma changes the way the brain and body respond to the world. Even years after a distressing event, you may still feel like you’re “stuck” in survival mode. At Loriann Fetter Counseling & Psychotherapy in Greensburg, PA, our therapists specialize in trauma-informed care that helps you understand what’s happening in your brain and teaches you skills to feel safe again. If you’ve been carrying the weight of trauma, this guide will help you understand the process of healing and how trauma therapy can give you back a sense of control.

What is trauma?

Trauma isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how your brain and nervous system responded to overwhelming stress. Trauma can come from a single event (like an accident or loss) or long-term experiences (such as childhood neglect, abuse, or chronic stress). When these experiences overwhelm your ability to cope, the brain encodes them as ongoing danger. This is why even when the threat is over, your body may still react as if it’s happening now.

Signs that you may be living with unresolved trauma include:

• Flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares

• Feeling “on edge” or hypervigilant

• Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe

• Sudden emotional overwhelm or shutdown

• Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

• Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or digestive issues

At our practice, we normalize these reactions and help you see them for what they are: your brain’s best attempt to protect you.

How trauma affects the brain

When trauma occurs, the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) becomes overactive, while the prefrontal cortex (responsible for rational thought and calm decision-making) goes offline. The hippocampus, which processes time and memory, may also misfire—making old memories feel like current reality. This explains why trauma survivors may feel “stuck in the past.”

Our therapists use approaches that help regulate the nervous system, re-engage the prefrontal cortex, and retrain the brain to sense safety in the present. Over time, this process reduces intrusive memories, decreases anxiety, and restores balance.

What to expect in trauma therapy

At Loriann Fetter Counseling & Psychotherapy, trauma therapy sessions typically involve three main phases:

1. Stabilization and skill-building

You’ll learn grounding and calming techniques to reduce anxiety, panic, or dissociation. These skills create a sense of control and prepare you for deeper healing.

2. Processing the trauma

Through evidence-based methods, we’ll carefully process distressing experiences in a safe and contained way. The goal isn’t to relive the trauma, but to reframe how your brain stores and responds to it.

3. Integration and recovery

Together, we’ll build new patterns of living that support long-term healing—like healthier relationships, improved self-esteem, and renewed hope for the future.

Types of trauma therapy offered

Our team blends trauma-informed approaches with the personal needs of each client. Depending on your goals, your therapist may use:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – reduces the emotional intensity of traumatic memories.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – teaches emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) – explores emotions and helps you reconnect with yourself and others.

• Play and art therapy – especially useful for children processing trauma.

Each method is adapted to your pace, ensuring you never feel rushed or unsafe.

Why choose Loriann Fetter Counseling &

Psychotherapy?

• Specialized expertise: Our clinicians hold advanced certifications in trauma and grief counseling, with years of focused training.

• Tailored care: We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach—every plan is unique to you.

• Compassionate environment: Whether in person at our Greensburg office or via telehealth, we create a space where you feel understood and supported.

• Holistic support: We integrate mental health education, emotional regulation, and relational healing so you can thrive in every area of life.

Getting started with trauma therapy

If you’re considering trauma therapy, here are simple steps to begin:

1. Reach out – Use our website’s contact form or call to request an appointment.

2. Choose your format – In-person at our Greensburg office or through secure online therapy.

3. Begin at your pace – Your therapist will start with listening, stabilization, and skills before moving into deeper healing.

Healing from trauma is a journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone. With the right support, your brain can learn that it’s safe again—and life can feel lighter, calmer, and more hopeful.

Call to Action

If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact Loriann Fetter Counseling & Psychotherapy in Greensburg, PA today. Whether you’re navigating recent trauma or living with the long-term effects of past experiences, our team is here to guide you toward healing.