Trauma changes how you feel safe in the world. With the right support, healing is possible - and it doesn't require reliving everything.
Trauma is not just what happened - it's what happened inside you as a result. The nervous system stores experiences of threat, helplessness, and overwhelm in ways that can shape how you feel, react, and relate to others long after the event has passed.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after a single acute event - an accident, assault, or medical emergency - or after prolonged exposure to difficult circumstances. Complex PTSD often develops from childhood trauma, repeated abuse, or chronic experiences of fear and powerlessness.
Trauma also commonly shows up in immigrant and refugee communities, in those who have experienced racial or cultural trauma, and in people whose suffering was never named or validated. You do not need a dramatic story for your pain to be real.
Trauma-informed care starts with safety. I will never push you to disclose more than you're ready to share, and I work at a pace that respects your nervous system. Our first session is a full hour dedicated to understanding your history, your current struggles, and what you most need right now.
Medication can be a meaningful part of trauma treatment - helping reduce hyperarousal, nightmares, and the intensity of intrusive symptoms so that other healing work becomes more accessible. I also draw on trauma-informed supportive therapy and psychoeducation throughout our work. Appointments are available in person at my Fairfax office or via telehealth across Virginia, in English and Tiếng Việt.
Your first appointment is a full hour and you will never be pushed to share more than you are ready to. Here is what to expect:
Medications such as SSRIs and prazosin can meaningfully reduce PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and hyperarousal. Medication often works best alongside trauma-focused therapy. I can coordinate with your therapist or connect you with resources. Read more: PTSD vs. Anxiety: What Is the Difference?
Trauma does not have to be a dramatic or extreme event. Any experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope and left a lasting mark on how you feel, think, or move through the world can be traumatic. If your past experiences are affecting your present life, that is worth exploring, regardless of whether it seems bad enough.
Yes. Certain antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) are first-line treatments for PTSD and can reduce the severity of symptoms including hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts. Medication does not erase memories but can make them less overwhelming and free up capacity for healing.
No. Alice focuses on symptom management, medication, and supportive care. If trauma-focused therapy (such as EMDR or CPT) is appropriate for you, she will discuss a referral. You never have to share more than you are comfortable with.
Yes. For some people, PTSD symptoms do not fully emerge until months or years after the trauma -- sometimes when life circumstances change, when protective coping mechanisms break down, or after a second stressor triggers the underlying response.
Yes. This is often called complex trauma or C-PTSD, and it typically develops from prolonged exposure to difficult circumstances -- such as a difficult childhood, an abusive relationship, or chronic experiences of fear and powerlessness. It can look different from classic PTSD and benefits from a careful, individualized evaluation.
More questions? Visit the full FAQ →
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Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, available 24/7.
For emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Alice Tran Psychiatric Care does not operate 24/7 and does not provide crisis services. Emails, voicemails, text or portal messages are typically responded to within 24 to 72 business hours.
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