Trauma therapy
Counseling after trauma and hard experiences
True North Vitality offers trauma counseling for adults at offices in Greensburg, Irwin and Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and by secure video. Three Licensed Professional Counselors focus on trauma and difficult life experiences, and can bring Christian faith into the healing process.
- 3 Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors
- Greensburg · Irwin · Ligonier
- Online across Pennsylvania
- Christ-centered counseling
This may help if
- Something frightening or painful happened, recently or long ago, and it still feels close
- You have nightmares, flashbacks or memories that come back without warning
- You feel on guard, jumpy or easily angered
- You avoid places, people or thoughts that remind you of what happened
- You carry guilt, shame or a sense that the world is not safe
- You feel numb or cut off from people you care about
What counts as trauma?
Trauma can follow an accident, an assault, abuse, a sudden death, combat, a disaster or another event where you or someone close to you was in danger. It can also build up over years, as in a hard childhood or a frightening relationship. Learning that someone you love went through something terrible can affect you too.
Fear and distress after a traumatic event are natural, and many people recover over time. For others, symptoms hang on: re-living the event, avoiding reminders, feeling on edge, and changes in mood and thinking. When that lasts more than a month and gets in the way of work, sleep or relationships, it may be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You do not need a diagnosis to start counseling.
How does trauma counseling work?
Our counselors work in a trauma-informed way. That means you set the pace, you decide what to share and when, and the first goal is to help you feel steady enough to do the work. Many people start by learning skills to calm the body and handle strong feelings before looking closely at painful memories.
According to the National Center for PTSD, the talk therapies with the most research support for PTSD are trauma-focused, meaning they look directly at the event and what it means to you. Our counselors use trauma-focused talk therapy along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), DBT skills and mindfulness, chosen to fit you. True North Vitality does not currently offer EMDR; if you are looking for it specifically, ask us and we will point you toward local options.
Who will you see, and where?
All three of our counselors focus on trauma. Dave Kemerer, MA, LPC, sees clients at our Greensburg and Ligonier offices and online. Nicoletta Whiteman, MA, LPC, focuses on trauma and difficult life experiences, including those tied to pregnancy, birth, grief and relationships, and sees clients aged 12 and up at our Irwin office and online. Read more on Nicoletta's page.
Nicole Stout, MA, LPC, sees adults with trauma, the mix of emotions that can follow hard experiences or substance use, and the feeling of being numb or stuck. She sees adults at our Greensburg office and online. Online sessions are by secure video through SimplePractice, for clients who are located in Pennsylvania at the time of each session.
What do sessions look like?
- Free 20-minute consultationCall, email or use the contact form. You do not need to describe what happened. A general idea is enough for us to suggest a counselor.
- Getting groundedAfter intake paperwork, early sessions focus on your history at a level you choose, your safety now, and coping skills for hard moments.
- Working with memoriesWhen you feel ready, your counselor helps you process what happened, through trauma-focused talk therapy and other approaches you agree on.
- Looking aheadLater sessions turn to present-day triggers, relationships and the future you want. Sessions are 55 minutes.
When should you see a doctor or psychiatrist too?
Medication is another treatment for PTSD, and some people use it along with counseling. Trauma often comes with depression, panic, sleep problems or heavier drinking or drug use. A doctor or psychiatrist is the right step if symptoms are severe, if you need help with sleep or medication, or if you have physical injuries or health concerns. Our counselors do not prescribe and can work alongside your doctor with your permission.
If you are still in danger, such as living with someone who hurts or threatens you, tell us. Care works best when it addresses your safety as well as your symptoms, and our crisis resources page lists hotlines. True North Vitality is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
Can faith be part of trauma counseling?
Yes, if you want it. Trauma can shake what people believe about God, themselves and others, and some clients want room to bring those questions. Others want no faith talk at all. Your counselor follows your lead.
Some of our counselors work with insurance and others are self-pay, and plans differ by counselor. See insurance and payment or call with your plan name.
Common questions
Will I have to talk about every detail of what happened?
No. You decide what to share and when. Many people start with coping skills and only later look at the memory itself. Your counselor will check in often and never push you to say more than you are ready to.
What if the trauma happened a long time ago?
Counseling can still help. Events from childhood or many years ago can keep affecting sleep, mood and relationships long after they are over. There is no time limit on when it is worth getting support, and your counselor will go at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Is trauma counseling hard?
It can feel uncomfortable at times, especially when you start to look at painful memories. That is why the early work builds skills and steadiness first. Tell your counselor whenever you need to slow down or take a break.
References
Published by True North Vitality, a counseling practice of Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors in Westmoreland County. Last updated November 2, 2026. This page is general information, not medical or mental health advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for care.
You might also be looking for
- Anxiety therapyCounseling for worry, panic and overthinking, with practical CBT, ACT and mindfulness tools.Learn more
- Grief counselingSupport after a death or another loss, with room for Christian faith and hope.Learn more
- Postpartum and perinatal therapyCounseling in pregnancy, after birth and after pregnancy loss, at our Irwin office or online.Learn more
- Individual counselingOne-on-one counseling for adults and teens with anxiety, low mood, trauma, grief, burnout or life changes.Learn more
Ready to take the first step?
Call, email or send a short message to book a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll help you choose a counselor and an office in Greensburg, Irwin or Ligonier, or meet online anywhere in Pennsylvania.