Trauma Treatment for
Adults and Children
Clinical insight from Connie Hurst, M.A., LMFT #41463. Connie has worked with trauma survivors using neurofeedback and trauma informed therapy for over 20 years in Huntington Beach. Read more about her background →
Trauma can leave a lasting mark on how you feel, think, and move through the world. Whether you experienced a single overwhelming event or carried difficult experiences over many years, the effects are real and healing is possible.
I offer trauma-informed therapy and neurofeedback training to help you find relief, rebuild a sense of safety, and reconnect with yourself. My approach is compassionate, personalized, and grounded in over 20 years of clinical experience in Huntington Beach.
Main Types of Trauma
Types of trauma include physical trauma (bodily harm), emotional trauma (emotional impact of event), sexual trauma (harassment to assault), childhood/developmental trauma (adverse experiences during formative years), complex trauma (exposure to multiple events), acute trauma ( single, severe event), chronic trauma (prolonged exposure), community trauma (large scale events) and vicarious trauma (indirect exposure).
How is trauma diagnosed?
Trauma is diagnosed through a thorough clinical evaluation that includes a detailed conversation about your experiences, symptoms, and how they are affecting your life. I may use standardized assessment tools such as the PTSD Checklist for DSM 5 or the Impact of Event Scale to help gauge symptom severity and understand how the trauma has affected you over time. This assessment helps identify whether you are experiencing acute stress, PTSD, or another trauma related pattern, and it guides the treatment plan we build together.
How is trauma treated? therapy options
Trauma survivors work with me to regain self regulation for calming. I use neurofeedback training to self regulate into a comfortable state. I help trauma survivors process trauma, change distorted thoughts, and learn coping strategies. The goal is to promote self-compassion and non-judgment, which is healing for those dealing with trauma-related guilt or self-blame.
How effective is therapy for treating trauma?
Therapy is an effective way to treat trauma, especially when administered by an experienced mental health professional. Its success depends on factors like the type and severity of the trauma and the therapy approach used. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found neurofeedback produced a symptom remission rate of 79% for PTSD, compared to 24% in control groups. Read the study →
FAQ's
What causes trauma?
Trauma can happen when something deeply upsetting or frightening overwhelms your ability to cope. This might include events like accidents, abuse, violence, sudden loss, or natural disasters. Trauma can also stem from difficult early experiences, such as neglect or growing up in a stressful or unsafe environment.
Everyone experiences trauma differently. Some people recover quickly with support, while others may feel lasting effects.
Common signs of trauma include:
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Flashbacks, nightmares about event
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Feeling numb, disconnected
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Avoiding reminders of event
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Relationship struggles, feel isolated
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Feeling jumpy or always on edge
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Mood swings or sudden anger
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Trouble concentrating
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Difficulty sleeping
What are the four trauma responses?
1. Fight: Fight is a response in which an individual confronts a threat or stressor head-on, seeking to overcome or resist it.
2. Flight: Flight is a response characterized by the instinct to escape or avoid a perceived threat or dangerous situation.
3. Freeze, or flop: Freeze is a response involving immobility and an inability to react when faced with overwhelming stress, often as a result of fear or shock.
4. Fawn: Fawn is a response in which a person seeks to appease or please others, even at their own expense, as a way to avoid conflict or harm in social situations.
Cutting Edge Treatment
Neurofeedback offers meaningful support for trauma survivors by helping the brain shift out of patterns associated with hyperarousal, dissociation, and emotional overwhelm. Traumatic experiences can disrupt the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, respond flexibly to stress, and feel safe in everyday situations.
As emotional regulation improves, clients often experience fewer outbursts, reduced startle responses, better sleep, and a stronger sense of internal stability.
For many trauma survivors, this process brings a renewed sense of safety and control. Neurofeedback can be a powerful complement to therapy, supporting long-term healing and resilience.