686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a Trauma/PTSD can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 9 therapists in California available for an online or in-person session.
Thuy Ulrich

Hear from Thuy Ulrich, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Thuy Ulrich's profile

What is your go-to approach for PTSD/trauma therapy?

My typical approach for helping people in therapy is fundamentally the same across all modalities—meeting clients at their level and readiness for change. I find this works best because they are the experts on themselves; this is especially true because of the delicate nature of working with trauma. Clients need to be the ones driving progress or the actions won’t be meaningful.

What tools do you teach in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I teach many tools in trauma therapy that are catered to each person’s needs and level of functioning. For example:

  • Coping tools that build upon their existing coping mechanisms to help make them more effective and healthy
  • Mindfulness tools that help build awareness and understanding of emotions
  • Psychoeducation on how trauma affects people
  • Insight tools, like how schemas from trauma can shape how we relate to others and deal with problems
  • Communication tools to help clients feel heard when expressing feelings & needs

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy?

I know clients are making meaningful progress in therapy when they start reporting improvements in their lives and/or relationships. It’s important to help clients recognize and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement PTSD/trauma therapy?

Clients can supplement their therapy by practicing good self-care & the coping tools discussed, or just by considering how the concepts from sessions can be applied. In trauma therapy, consistent practice of tools is the foundation of healing oneself from trauma.

What should someone do to prepare for starting PTSD/trauma therapy?

To prepare for their first session, clients can consider what their goals for therapy might be and keep an open mind for their new journey. Therapy can open doors to new concepts and approaches if clients are ready to open those doors. With trauma, it can also be comforting for clients to know they aren’t opening those doors alone.

Starting Trauma/PTSD therapy

What is PTSD/trauma therapy?

At Thriveworks, Trauma/PTSD therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.

How does PTSD/trauma therapy work?

Our Thriveworks providers use Trauma/PTSD therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:

  • Flashbacks and distressing memories of the traumatic event
  • Nightmares and sleep disturbances
  • Intense anxiety and irritability
  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
  • Negative changes in mood and thought patterns
  • Increased arousal, like difficulty concentrating or exaggerated startle response

How do you overcome PTSD triggers?

The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.

What type of therapist is best for PTSD?

In most cases, a therapist who specializes in Trauma/PTSD therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.

Is PTSD/trauma therapy conducted in person or online?

PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long should you go to therapy for PTSD?

If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.

How successful is therapy for PTSD?

The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual’s symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Irvine therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Irvine
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
So thankful to have been connected to my therapist.
Sulyn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Irvine is off of Irvine Center Drive and Yale Avenue. We are across the street from Wildwood Park, and near Good Shepherd Preschool.

Phone number

(657) 315-1250

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • Vietnamese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Farsi
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in PT

Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in PT

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