PTSD & Trauma Treatment

Trauma-informed psychiatric care and medication management — available via telehealth across all of North Carolina

Serving Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, and all of NC via secure telehealth

Trauma doesn't always leave visible marks. But it changes the way your brain works, the way your body feels, and the way you move through the world. If you are living with the aftermath of something that happened to you — you deserve care that understands that.

At Renew Wellness & Behavioral Health, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed psychiatric care and medication management for PTSD and trauma-related conditions. Umi-Aisha Thomas, PMHNP-BC, brings 16 years of experience and a deeply personal understanding of the impact of trauma.

You do not need to have been in a war to have PTSD. If something happened that overwhelmed your capacity to cope and left lasting effects — that is trauma, and it deserves professional, compassionate treatment.

What Can Cause PTSD?

  • Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

  • Domestic violence

  • Sexual assault

  • Serious accidents

  • Natural disasters

  • Sudden loss of someone close

  • Medical trauma

  • Combat and military service

  • First responder exposure

  • Childhood neglect

PTSD vs. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

Traditional PTSD typically arises from a single traumatic event. Complex PTSD develops from prolonged, repeated trauma — particularly childhood abuse, long-term domestic violence, or sustained emotional neglect.

C-PTSD involves additional challenges: emotional dysregulation, negative self-perception, difficulty trusting others, dissociation, and somatic symptoms. Many patients with C-PTSD have been misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or Bipolar Disorder.

Recognizing PTSD Symptoms

Re-experiencing

  • Intrusive memories

  • Nightmares

  • Flashbacks

  • Emotional reactions to reminders

Avoidance

  • Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to trauma

  • Avoiding people, places, or situations

  • Emotional numbing

  • Loss of interest in activities

Negative Thoughts & Mood

  • Persistent negative beliefs about yourself

  • Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame

  • Difficulty experiencing positive emotions

Hyperarousal

  • Being on constant alert

  • Exaggerated startle response

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Irritability or angry outbursts

Medication Management for PTSD

  • SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) — FDA-approved for PTSD

  • SNRIs (venlafaxine) — helpful when depression co-occurs

  • Prazosin — specifically for PTSD-related nightmares

  • Mood stabilizers — for emotional dysregulation in C-PTSD

  • Sleep medications — when severe sleep disruption impairs recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No — not in detail, and not before you are ready. You will never be pressured to share more than you are ready to share.

  • Yes. Medication can significantly reduce symptom intensity — making intrusive memories less overwhelming, nightmares less severe, and emotional reactivity more manageable.

  • Absolutely. PTSD has no expiry date on treatment. Healing is possible at any age.

  • Yes — many trauma survivors actually prefer it. Being in your own safe environment removes exposure to unfamiliar spaces.

You Deserve to Feel Safe Again

New patients are welcome. Telehealth appointments available across all of North Carolina, weekdays and evenings.

Book Your Intake Appointment
Book Your Intake Appointment