PTSD and Trauma Treatment

Evidence-based treatment for trauma & ptsd in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties

Understanding Trauma & PTSD in Rural West Virginia

Trauma-informed care for PTSD, childhood trauma, domestic violence survivors, and complex trauma. Our specialized therapists use evidence-based treatments including EMDR and trauma-focused CBT.

At Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, we've been providing evidence-based care for trauma & ptsd in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties since 1968. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), we understand the unique challenges facing rural Appalachian communities—economic hardship, limited access to specialists, transportation barriers, and the stigma that still surrounds mental health care in small towns.

Our integrated care model means you don't need to drive hours to see a psychiatrist in Charleston or coordinate between multiple providers across different systems. Your therapist, psychiatrist, case manager, and peer support specialist work as one team, sharing information and adjusting your treatment plan together. This coordination—rare in rural healthcare—leads to better outcomes and fewer gaps in care.

Why Local, Integrated Care Matters

In Southern West Virginia, the nearest psychiatric hospital may be 90 minutes away. The nearest trauma specialist might only accept private insurance. And if you're in crisis at 10 PM on a Saturday, your options are often limited to an emergency room that isn't equipped for mental health emergencies.

We're different. Our 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit is staffed by local clinicians who know our community. When you call our crisis line, you're not routed to a national call center—you're speaking with someone who understands what it means to live in Princeton, Mullens, or Rockview. And because we're a CCBHC, we will not turn you away due to inability to pay. If you need help, we provide it—regardless of insurance status.

Our Treatment Approach for Trauma & PTSD

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation where we learn about your symptoms, medical history, current stressors, and goals. We don't use cookie-cutter treatment plans. What works for someone in a large city with robust family support may not work for someone in rural Appalachia managing chronic pain, unemployment, or caring for aging parents while working two jobs.

Your treatment plan may include individual therapy, medication management with our psychiatrists, group therapy, peer support from someone who's been through similar challenges, and case management to help with practical barriers like transportation, insurance navigation, or connecting to other community resources. If you need more intensive support, we offer residential treatment programs and can coordinate with primary care, schools, courts, or other providers.

What to Expect: Your First Visit

1. Scheduling & Walk-Ins

Call +1-304-425-9541 to schedule an appointment, or walk in during office hours at any of our six locations. If you're in crisis, call our 24/7 Crisis Line at +1-800-615-0122.

2. Initial Evaluation (60-90 minutes)

A licensed clinician will meet with you to understand what you're experiencing, how long symptoms have been present, what's helped or hasn't helped in the past, and what your goals are. We'll ask about medical history, medications, family history, and current stressors. This isn't an interrogation—it's a conversation to help us understand how to best support you.

What to bring: Photo ID, insurance card (if you have one), list of current medications, and any questions you want to ask. If you don't have insurance, we'll discuss sliding-scale fees and help you apply for coverage if eligible.

3. Treatment Planning

Together, we'll create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This might include weekly therapy sessions, a psychiatric evaluation for medication, group therapy, or connection to peer support. We'll explain what each service involves, how often you'll be seen, and what the goals are. You're part of the decision-making process—this is your treatment, and your input matters.

4. Ongoing Care & Coordination

Your care team meets regularly to discuss your progress and adjust treatment as needed. If you're also seeing a primary care doctor, we can coordinate with them (with your permission). If you need help with transportation, housing, or other practical barriers, our case managers can connect you to community resources. Recovery isn't linear, and we're here for the long haul.

Common Signs & Symptoms

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, professional help is available:

Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Nightmares related to traumatic event
Severe emotional distress
Avoidance of trauma reminders
Negative changes in thinking and mood
Hypervigilance and being easily startled
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability or angry outbursts

Need immediate help?

If you're in crisis, call our 24/7 crisis line:

+1-800-615-0122

Treatment Options

Our comprehensive approach to treating trauma & ptsd includes:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Medication for symptom management

Group therapy for trauma survivors

Related Services

Adult Mental Health Services Telehealth Options Crisis Stabilization

Treatment Approaches

EMDR Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group Therapy

Getting Started

Request Services First Visit Guide Insurance & Payment

Why Choose SHCMHC for Trauma & PTSD Treatment?

58 Years of Experience

Trusted mental health care since 1968

Expert Team

Licensed psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors

6 Convenient Locations

Serving Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PTSD only for veterans?

No. While combat trauma is one cause of PTSD, it develops after many different types of experiences — domestic violence, childhood abuse, serious accidents, overdose loss, sexual assault, witnessing violence, or prolonged stress in unsafe environments. In Southern West Virginia, we frequently work with people whose trauma stems from the opioid crisis, domestic situations, poverty-related hardship, and community violence. You don't need a specific type of trauma to qualify for treatment.

What is EMDR and how does it work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process traumatic memories that have become "stuck." During EMDR sessions, your therapist guides you through recalling a traumatic memory while following bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements or tapping). This process helps the memory lose its emotional charge so it no longer triggers the same distress response. EMDR is one of the most researched treatments for PTSD and is recommended by the VA, APA, and WHO.

What if I don't remember my trauma clearly — can I still get treatment?

Yes. Trauma therapy doesn't require you to have clear, detailed memories of specific events. Many people with complex or childhood trauma have fragmented memories or gaps. Trauma-informed therapy works with what you do experience — emotional triggers, body sensations, relationship patterns, and avoidance behaviors — not just explicit memories. You don't need to reconstruct a complete narrative to heal.

Can trauma therapy make things worse before they get better?

Some people do experience a temporary increase in distress when they begin addressing trauma — this is normal and expected. Your therapist will pace treatment carefully and teach you grounding and stabilization skills before doing any direct trauma processing. You're always in control of the pace. If something feels too overwhelming, your therapist will adjust the approach. The goal is manageable progress, not retraumatization.

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

That's a very common experience, and it often means the previous therapy wasn't trauma-focused specifically. General talk therapy is less effective for PTSD than treatments specifically designed for trauma, like EMDR, TF-CBT, or Prolonged Exposure. If you've had counseling before without much improvement, ask specifically about trauma-focused treatment. Our therapists are trained in these approaches and the difference in outcomes can be significant.