Therapy FAQs and practice information for Thrive Psychology LLC.
What is trauma?
Trauma involves deeply distressing experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope and leave lasting emotional, psychological, or physical effects. It can arise from a single devastating event—such as a traumatic birth, with or without the loss of a child—or from ongoing stressors like identity‑based trauma related to race, gender, or LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
People also experience trauma through events such as medical crises, sexual violence, physical assault, natural disasters, combat, serious accidents, or exposure to extreme human suffering. These experiences can disrupt a person’s sense of safety, stability, and well‑being. Certain occupations—such as journalism, first response, healthcare, aviation, and military service—place individuals at higher risk for repeated trauma exposure, increasing the emotional toll over time.
What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a set of symptoms that can develop after someone experiences trauma. These symptoms fall into four main categories:
- Intrusive symptoms – flashbacks, nightmares, and unwanted memories that break into daily life
- Avoidance – pulling away from reminders, places, people, or emotions connected to the trauma
- Negative changes in mood and thinking – self‑blame, guilt, detachment, or loss of interest in things that once mattered
- Hyperarousal – irritability, sleep difficulties, feeling constantly on edge, or an exaggerated startle response
These symptoms can disrupt daily functioning and emotional well‑being. The good news is that PTSD is treatable, and trauma‑focused, evidence‑based care can help people heal and regain a sense of safety and control. What is PTSD video
Does everyone who experiences trauma develop PTSD?
Most adults—about 70%—experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. However, only a portion of people go on to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the United States, approximately 6% of the population will experience PTSD at some point.
Whether someone develops long‑term symptoms depends on many factors. These include the type and severity of the trauma, access to institutional support afterward, how their disclosures are received, personal coping resources, and the strength of their support systems. Together, these factors shape how a person adapts, heals, and moves forward after trauma.
What is PE (prolonged exposure) therapy?
PE is the most effective treatment for PTSD. It has been studied for more than 40 years and is consistently recommended as a gold‑standard, trauma‑focused therapy in multiple clinical practice guidelines. PE helps people safely approach traumatic memories and reduce avoidance, allowing them to regain a sense of control, confidence, and emotional well‑being.
You can learn more in the What is PE? video.
What is accelerated PE therapy?
Accelerated Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy uses the same evidence-based approach as traditional PE but delivers it at a faster pace—typically three or more sessions per week. This condensed format reduces the risk of dropout and often leads to quicker symptom relief. Because the full course of therapy is completed in two to four weeks, clients can make meaningful progress in a shorter timeframe.
What do clients say about their experience with PE therapy?
Clients who complete Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy often describe significant relief, greater confidence, and a renewed sense of control in their daily lives, though individual experiences vary. These videos offer firsthand perspectives and expert insights into what the PE process can feel like and how healing unfolds over time.
You can see what they have to say in this PE Client video.
What can I expect therapy with Dr. Aosved to be like?
Therapy with me is both supportive and challenging. I help clients stay focused on their recovery goals, build momentum, and recognize their progress along the way. My approach is brief, structured, and goal‑oriented, designed to help you feel better in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable.
Clients have described me as warm, curious, collaborative, creative, flexible, focused, consistent, open, affirming, and transparent. I bring these qualities into every session to create a space where growth feels possible and healing feels earned.
You can hear more about my approach to PTSD treatment with PE in, season 1, episode 10 of “A therapist can’t say that” podcast.
In addition, you can hear a brief discussion of my approach to therapy in this video of me.
How can I prepare for PE?
Start by reconnecting with your “why.” Reflect on what you want to reclaim in your life and how you hope to feel as you move through recovery. To begin Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, you only need motivation, a private space for sessions, an internet‑enabled device for telehealth, and a way to record your imaginal exposures.
Some clients choose to use the PE Coach smartphone application or purchase the PE therapy client workbook to support their work. These tools are optional—what matters most is your commitment to healing and your willingness to engage fully in the process.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth uses secure digital tools—such as video calls, phone calls, and messaging platforms—to deliver psychological services remotely. At Thrive Psychology, all psychotherapy sessions take place virtually, giving you the flexibility to access care from your home or any private space that feels comfortable and safe.
Telehealth increases access, reduces barriers to treatment, and supports continuity of care. It’s a flexible, client‑centered way to receive support while maintaining privacy, consistency, and connection.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence‑based approach that helps people understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. It focuses on building practical skills to manage distress, shift unhelpful patterns, and support lasting change. CBT is collaborative and goal‑oriented, and it has strong research support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
What does evidence-based treatment mean?
Evidence‑based treatment refers to therapies that have been rigorously studied and shown to be effective through research and expert consensus. These approaches are grounded in scientific evidence—not tradition, anecdote, or personal preference—and are continually refined as new data emerge.
To learn more about what makes a treatment “evidence‑based,” you can watch this brief video explaining the concept of evidence-based treatment.
What is measurement-based care?
Measurement‑based care uses structured tools and data to track symptoms, monitor progress, and evaluate how well treatment is working. This approach guides clinical decisions in real time, allowing for personalized adjustments that improve outcomes. By integrating objective feedback into therapy, clinicians can offer care that is more responsive, effective, and centered on each client’s needs.
What are clinical practice guidelines?
Clinical practice guidelines are evidence‑based recommendations developed by expert panels to help healthcare providers deliver consistent, effective care. They synthesize the best available research and clinical expertise to guide treatment decisions across diverse settings, ensuring that clients receive approaches proven to be safe, effective, and aligned with current scientific standards.
Why they matter:
- They improve patient outcomes by promoting treatments that work.
- They enhance quality of care through standardized, evidence‑based approaches.
- They support clinical decision‑making with clear, research‑backed guidance.
- They ensure consistency across providers, teams, and systems.
PE is recommended as a frontline treatment for PTSD in all clinical practice guidelines for PTSD: American Psychological Association and VA/DoD.