Expert Trauma Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ
Trauma Therapy Across the Lifespan
Heal From Trauma Today
Healing Trauma at BrainBody Wellness Counseling in Scottsdale or Virtual — With Heart, Hope, and Real Results
Let’s be real — healing from trauma isn’t just about “talking it out.” You’ve probably already tried that. You might still feel triggered by things you can’t explain, or like your mind and body didn’t get the memo that you’re safe now. You’re tired of coping — you want to actually feel better.
That’s where we come in. At BrainBody Wellness Counseling, our trauma specialists combine compassion, brain science, and proven therapies like EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Therapies and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help you finally get to the root of what’s keeping you stuck. We don’t just treat symptoms — we help you feel like yourself again.
Our therapists know healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your story, your pace, your comfort — that’s what guides the process. Together, we’ll help your nervous system chill out, rebuild trust with your body, and find real relief that lasts.
Not in Scottsdale? No problem. We offer virtual trauma therapy anywhere in Arizona — so you can start healing from your couch, your closet, your car (we see you, parking lot therapy warriors), or anywhere you feel safe.
You’ve carried this long enough. Take the first step toward feeling whole again — reach out today.
Trauma Therapies We Offer in Scottsdale, AZ and Virtually
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EMDR is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and integrate distressing memories and experiences. It involves guiding clients through a series of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while they recall traumatic events, facilitating the processing and re-framing of these memories. EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories, allowing individuals to heal and move forward with greater emotional resilience and clarity.
Read more about our EMDR services here.
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) are evidence-based therapies designed to address trauma-related disorders. CPT helps individuals understand and reframe distorted thoughts related to trauma, facilitating emotional healing by changing unhelpful thinking patterns. TF-CBT integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-focused strategies to help individuals process and cope with traumatic experiences, improving emotional regulation and reducing symptoms of PTSD.
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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidence-based approach that combines guided imagery with rapid eye movements to help the brain process and reframe distressing memories. By changing how difficult experiences are stored in the nervous system, ART can reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and stress more quickly than traditional talk therapy. This innovative method allows clients to resolve painful emotions, release triggers, and experience lasting relief—often in fewer sessions—while promoting resilience and emotional healing.
Learn more about ART here.
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BrainSpotting is a therapeutic technique that identifies and processes areas of the brain where unresolved trauma or emotional distress is stored, using specialized eye positions to access and release these issues. By focusing on specific "brainspots," the therapy facilitates deep emotional processing and healing. This approach helps individuals resolve trauma and improve emotional well-being by targeting the root of their distress at a neural level.
Put simply, your therapist will have you stare at a specific spot while processing your trauma in a guided way.
Schedule Your Free Treatment Consult
What Counselor to Choose? You can review the list below with each counselors' type of trauma therapy, insurance accepted, and age range they work with. Or, fill out our match form so we can help you select! Contact us with any questions or if you do not see an appointment available with the counselor of your choosing (some of our counselors have limited appointment so they will not appear on the self scheduling website).
Amanda Nomicos, LPC:
Adults
Aetna, UHC, Private Pay
EMDR
Jessica Cronk, LAC:
Adults, Teens, Kids 6+
Aetna, BCBS
EMDR in Training, TF-CBT, CPT, Mindfulness Based Approaches
Meghan Kershinar LAC:
Adults, Teens, Kids 6+
Aetna, BCBS, Private Pay
EMDR, CPT, TF-CPT
Lisa Johnson, LPC:
Adults, Teens, Children 6+
Aetna, BCBS, UHC, Private Pay
EMDR, CPT, TF-CPT
Jenna Ciancanelli, LPC:
Adults, Teens 13+
Aetna, BCBS, Private Pay
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Jennifer Salazar, LPC:
Adults, Teens, Children 8+
Aetna, BCBS, Private Pay
Brainspotting
Ali Iverson (Schilling), Psy.D.:
Adults, Teens 13+
Aetna, Private Pay
EMDR
Trauma Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ & Across Arizona
Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support for Lasting Healing
When you’ve been through something overwhelming, it can feel like life is split into “before” and “after.” You may look fine on the outside, but inside it’s a completely different story — your mind won’t quiet down, your body feels constantly tense, and even small things can set off big emotions.
You might catch yourself thinking, “Why can’t I just get over this?” or “Other people have been through worse.” But trauma isn’t about comparison — it’s about what your body and brain went through, and how it’s still trying to keep you safe long after the danger has passed.
When you experience trauma, your brain sometimes isn’t able to fully process the emotional impact in the moment. To protect you, your mind may try to suppress those emotions and instead replay certain thoughts or memories over and over again. These unprocessed emotions often become linked with painful beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “It’s my fault,” or “I’m not loved.”
When something reminds you of the trauma—like an anniversary, a familiar image, or a similar experience—the stored emotion can resurface suddenly, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or panicked.
Root-cause trauma therapy helps identify and work through these underlying beliefs, allowing the brain and body to process and release the emotion rather than suppress it. This creates space for genuine healing, safety, and emotional balance.
At BrainBody Wellness Counseling, we help you heal at the root — not just manage symptoms. Our trauma therapists combine science-backed methods with deep compassion to help you feel grounded, calm, and in control again.
How Trauma Impacts People
Thoughts:
Trauma often rewires the way you see yourself and the world. You might constantly second-guess yourself, feel unsafe even in calm moments, or believe you’re broken beyond repair. It can whisper things like “It was my fault,” or “I’ll never feel normal again.”
Body:
Even when your mind tries to move on, your body keeps the score. You might notice chronic tension, racing heart, panic attacks, or that feeling like you’re “on edge” all the time. It’s exhausting — like living with your foot stuck on the gas pedal and no way to brake.
Lifestyle:
When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, daily life feels hard. You might isolate, avoid people or places that remind you of what happened, or struggle with sleep, appetite, or motivation. Relationships can start to feel distant or fragile, even with the people you love most.
Our Trauma Treatment Approaches
Our highly trained therapists specialize in trauma-focused care and use therapies proven to help the brain and body heal, including:
Brainspotting (BSP)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
These approaches help you safely process and release stored memories, calm your nervous system, and rebuild a sense of trust — in yourself, your body, and the world around you.
Why Choose BrainBody Wellness for Trauma Counseling?
We’re not here to rush your healing or slap a “you’re fine now” sticker on deep wounds. Our team creates a space where you can:
Explore and process emotions at your own pace, without judgment or pressure
Understand how trauma shaped your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Learn practical coping tools to manage triggers and emotional overwhelm
Rebuild resilience and hope so you can move forward feeling whole and empowered
Our therapists get it — healing trauma isn’t linear. Some days you’ll make progress; others might feel heavier. But you won’t be doing it alone.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Trauma doesn’t define who you are — it’s something that happened to you, not something that is you. With the right support, you can break free from survival mode, reconnect with your body, and feel safe again.
If you’re looking for trauma therapy in Scottsdale, AZ or virtual trauma counseling anywhere in Arizona, we’re here to help you take that next brave step.
You’ve carried this long enough. Let’s start your healing journey together — schedule your free consultation today.
“I spent years in traditional talk therapy… but nothing truly shifted until I started EMDR at BrainBody. It completely changed my life. I didn’t realize that just talking about my trauma wasn’t enough - EMDR helped me process it in a whole new way. I recommend it to everyone now.”
- Previous Client
Trauma Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ & Across Arizona – FAQs
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy is a type of counseling designed to help individuals process distressing or overwhelming life experiences. At BrainBody Wellness Counseling, our trauma specialists use evidence-based approaches to help you work through emotional pain, nervous system dysregulation, and lingering PTSD symptoms. Our therapists are trauma trained and informed so they know what to watch for during processing and how to best support you.
Who can benefit from trauma counseling?
Trauma therapy can support adults, teens and children who have experienced:
Abuse, neglect, or assault
Accidents, medical trauma, or natural disasters
Birth trauma or postpartum complications
Relationship or attachment trauma
Chronic stress, grief, or ongoing emotional overwhelm
Why isn’t AI therapy the best option for trauma care?
AI therapy tools can be helpful for general mental health questions, but they lack the nuance, empathy, and safety required in trauma-informed care. Healing trauma often involves carefully pacing sessions, reading nonverbal cues, and creating a sense of safety—things AI cannot fully provide. A skilled therapist ensures that clients do not become overwhelmed or re-traumatized during treatment (called flooding). A therapist can also attune and identify interpersonal patterns occurring within the therapeutic relationship, AI cannot. We have also found that some AI tools deviate from protocol that has been researched to successfully process trauma, which may no longer make it effective. We love the potentials for AI; however, we have concerns regarding it’s use in the treatment of trauma.
What types of trauma therapy do you offer in Scottsdale?
We use a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including:
Brainspotting (BSP)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
How does trauma affect my body and mind?
Trauma therapy addresses both the mind and body to help restore balance. Trauma can impact your thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being. You may experience:
Negative or self-blaming thoughts
Anxiety, hypervigilance, anger, or emotional reactivity
Avoidance of triggers or difficulty maintaining daily routines
How long does trauma therapy take?
The length of treatment depends on the type and severity of trauma, as well as your individual goals. Some clients notice improvement in a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work to build emotional resilience.
Can trauma therapy help with PTSD and anxiety?
Yes. Our trauma-focused therapies are designed to reduce PTSD symptoms, regulate the nervous system, and improve coping strategies. Many clients report decreased anxiety, fewer intrusive memories, and improved daily functioning. Healing isn’t linear and takes time, but it is absolutely possible. As mental health clinicians, we are prohibited by our licensing laws from soliciting reviews from past clients, and although we understand the ethical reasons why, we do wish we could share successes our clients have had to instill hope in others that healing is truly possible!
Do you offer trauma therapy online?
Yes. We provide secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions throughout Arizona, making it easier for you to access high-quality trauma counseling from home. You have the option of doing in-person, virtual, or a mixture of both!
Why choose BrainBody Wellness Counseling for trauma therapy?
Our Scottsdale therapists provide a safe, compassionate environment and specialize in evidence-based trauma care. We focus on:
Personalized, whole-person treatment plans
Practical strategies for coping with triggers
Supporting long-term healing and resilience
How do I start trauma counseling?
You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs, explore therapy options, and determine the best approach. Our team will help you create a plan for moving forward safely and effectively. Not sure which counselor to schedule with? Fill out our therapist match form and we will help you choose!