New Location!: 3110 N Swan Rd, Tucson AZ 85712

Trauma Therapy in Tucson

Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides trauma therapy in Tucson for patients ages 12 and older, with virtual appointments also available across Arizona when appropriate. All of our therapists are trauma-trained and can work from a trauma-informed perspective, while some clinicians also provide specific trauma treatment approaches such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Brainspotting.

Trauma can affect people in different ways. Our goal is to understand how your experiences are affecting you now and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs, goals, and clinical fit.

What Is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is psychotherapy that helps people address the effects of distressing or traumatic experiences. Those effects may show up in emotions, thoughts, relationships, stress responses, sleep, boundaries, or daily functioning.

Trauma therapy does not refer to one single technique. Depending on the person, therapy may focus on understanding trauma responses, building coping and emotional regulation skills, working through patterns connected to past experiences, or using a specific trauma-focused approach.

You do not need to have a PTSD diagnosis to seek help for trauma-related concerns.

complementary mental health therapies

What Does Trauma-Informed Therapy Mean?

Trauma-informed therapy describes the way care is provided rather than one specific treatment modality.

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences can affect how a person responds to stress, relationships, treatment, and feelings of safety. Therapy emphasizes trust, collaboration, choice, and respect for the individual's comfort and goals.

At Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry, all of our therapists are trauma-trained. This may include helping patients:

  • Better understand how past experiences affect present thoughts, emotions, or behaviors
  • Develop grounding and emotional regulation skills
  • Identify triggers and patterns
  • Strengthen boundaries
  • Build healthier coping strategies
  • Address trauma-related concerns at an appropriate pace

Being trauma-trained does not mean every therapist provides every trauma-specific modality. When a particular treatment approach may be useful, we can help determine which options and clinicians may be an appropriate fit.

When Might Someone Consider Trauma Therapy?

People seek trauma therapy for many different reasons. Trauma-related concerns may be connected to experiences such as:

  • Abuse, violence, or neglect
  • Crime or victimization
  • Accidents or serious injuries
  • Difficult medical experiences
  • Military or line-of-duty experiences
  • Loss or other highly distressing events
  • Difficult experiences from childhood or adolescence
  • Events from the past that continue to affect relationships or daily life

Some people can identify a specific event that is affecting them. Others notice patterns, reactions, or feelings that they want to understand better.

Trauma-related concerns do not always mean that someone has PTSD. Your therapist can help you discuss what you are experiencing without requiring you to arrive with a particular diagnosis.

Trauma Therapy Approaches Available at Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry

There is no single trauma therapy that is right for everyone. Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry offers several approaches, and the treatment plan depends on the individual and the clinician providing care.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused therapy that can be used to address distress connected to traumatic experiences.

EMDR is one option rather than the default approach for every patient. Your therapist will consider your needs, responses, goals, and clinical fit when discussing whether EMDR may be appropriate.

Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry currently offers EMDR through Cristel Alcocer, Rina Abrams-Dunn, Audrey Cione, Shira Klayman, Jessica Olivas, and Holly Randle.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured trauma-focused psychotherapy that helps patients examine thoughts and beliefs that may have developed in connection with traumatic experiences.

CPT is available through Rina Abrams-Dunn.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a structured trauma-focused psychotherapy that helps patients gradually address trauma-related memories, emotions, and situations they may have been avoiding.

PE is available through Rina Abrams-Dunn.

Brainspotting

Brainspotting is another trauma-processing approach available at Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry.

Brainspotting is currently offered through Aecha Guerrero.

We offer Trauma Therapy in Tucson at our central office and also provide virtual sessions statewide across Arizona when appropriate.

How Is a Trauma Therapy Approach Chosen?

Choosing a treatment approach begins with understanding the individual rather than selecting a technique based only on a diagnosis or symptom.

Your therapist may consider factors such as:

  • What brings you to therapy
  • Your goals
  • Current concerns and daily functioning
  • Age and life circumstances
  • Previous therapy experiences
  • Comfort and preferences
  • How you respond when discussing difficult experiences
  • Whether a specific trauma-focused modality is an appropriate fit

Some patients may benefit from a specific approach such as EMDR, CPT, PE, or Brainspotting. Others may work with a therapist using broader trauma-informed psychotherapy.

Treatment can change as needs and goals change.

Client during a trauma therapy session in Tucson

What to Expect When You Start Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy begins by getting to know you, your concerns, and what you would like to work on.

Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, you and your therapist can discuss what is bringing you to therapy, relevant history, current concerns, and your goals.

Individualized Treatment Plan

Your therapist will work with you to determine what areas to focus on and whether a particular therapy approach may be appropriate.

Skills and Support

Depending on your needs, therapy may include grounding, coping strategies, emotional regulation, boundaries, communication, or other skills that support daily functioning.

Trauma-Focused Work When Appropriate

If a specific trauma-focused treatment is appropriate, your therapist can discuss what that approach involves and how it fits into your treatment plan.

Therapy does not have to begin with a detailed retelling of traumatic experiences. The process should reflect your needs, readiness, treatment goals, and the clinical approach being used.

Trauma Therapy for Military Members, Veterans and First Responders

Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides trauma-informed care for military members, veterans, and first responders, including people whose work has involved repeated exposure to stressful or traumatic situations.

Rina Abrams-Dunn brings 10 years of prior experience at Davis-Monthan, where she was embedded with a rescue team that routinely deployed overseas. She provides CPT, Prolonged Exposure, and EMDR.

Jessica Olivas provides EMDR and also has experience working within the legal system with victims of crime.

The appropriate type of therapy depends on the individual and does not assume that everyone with similar occupational experiences needs the same treatment.

Military service member speaking with a trauma therapist in Tucson

Can Trauma Be Addressed in Couples or Family Therapy?

Trauma therapy at Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry is primarily provided through individual therapy.

However, trauma-related experiences can also affect communication, relationships, parenting, and family dynamics. When appropriate, these concerns may be addressed as part of Couples Therapy or Family Counseling.

Meet Our Trauma Therapists

All therapists at Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry are trauma-trained. Some clinicians also provide specific trauma-focused or trauma-processing modalities.

Rina Abrams-Dunn

Trauma Therapy | CPT | Prolonged Exposure | EMDR

Rina also brings extensive prior experience working with military and rescue personnel at Davis-Monthan.

Jessica Olivas

Trauma Therapy | EMDR

Jessica also has experience working with victims of crime through her work within the legal system.

Cristel Alcocer

Trauma Therapy | EMDR

Audrey Cione

Trauma Therapy | EMDR

Aecha Guerrero

Trauma Therapy | Brainspotting

Shira Klayman

Trauma Therapy | EMDR

Holly Randle

Trauma Therapy | EMDR

Ingrid Hall-Bidegain

Trauma-Informed Therapy | Medical Trauma

Ingrid has a prior background as an EMT and experience relevant to working with people affected by medical trauma. No specific trauma-processing modality is currently listed for Ingrid.

Betsy Myers, DO

Trauma-Informed Care / Psychiatry

Cleve Shirey, MD

Trauma Therapy / psychiatric and psychotherapy care

Trauma Therapy in Tucson and Virtual Care Across Arizona

Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry offers in-person trauma therapy in Tucson at our office at 3110 N Swan Rd.

Trauma therapy may also be available through virtual appointments for patients throughout Arizona. Depending on the individual and treatment approach, your therapist can help determine whether in-person or virtual care is an appropriate option.

Trauma Therapy in Tucson

In-person Trauma therapy is available at our central Tucson office:

Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry
3110 N Swan Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712

Virtual Trauma Therapy Across Arizona

When appropriate, Virtual appointments are also available to clients throughout Arizona. Online trauma therapy can provide access to the same practice without requiring you to travel to the Tucson office.

Availability may vary by provider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy

No. Trauma therapy can address a broad range of trauma-related concerns whether or not someone has been diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD is one possible response to trauma, but it is not the only reason someone may seek trauma therapy.

Trauma therapy is the broader service. EMDR is one specific therapy modality that may be used to address trauma.

Not every trauma patient needs or is an appropriate fit for EMDR. Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry also offers other trauma approaches, including CPT, Prolonged Exposure, and Brainspotting.

Confirmed trauma-specific approaches currently include:

  • EMDR
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
  • Brainspotting

Availability varies by clinician.

Not necessarily. Therapy begins by understanding your concerns, goals, and needs. Your therapist can discuss how and when trauma-related experiences may be addressed based on the treatment approach and your individual situation.

Trauma therapy at Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry is generally available for patients ages 12 and older. The specific therapy approach depends on age, needs, goals, and clinical fit.

Trauma therapy may be available virtually for patients throughout Arizona. Whether virtual care is appropriate can depend on the individual and treatment approach. In-person appointments are available at our Tucson office.

Yes. Trauma therapy is primarily individual, but trauma-related experiences may also be addressed within couples or family therapy when they affect relationships or family dynamics.

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Serving Tucson, Arizona

including Marana, Oro Valley, Vail, Rita Ranch, Green Valley, and Southern Arizona. Now available throughout the state of Arizona via virtual appointments.

  • Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm
  • Ph: 520-780-8413
  • Fax: 520-800-8413
  • 3110 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712

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Based in Tucson, Arizona, Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry delivers personalized therapy and psychiatry: pediatric and geriatric care, EMDR, CBT/DBT, psychodynamic therapy, family counseling, couples therapy, life coaching, and medication management. In person in Tucson; virtual care across Arizona.

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The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to be used for diagnosing or treating medical conditions and do not substitute for professional medical advice.

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