Trauma Therapy for Adults in St. Louis, MO
Healing After Trauma
Finding Your Way Back to Safety and Connection
Let’s Be Honest: Life Feels Heavy
When you’ve lived through trauma, it doesn’t just stay in the past. It shows up in the here and now: in your relationships, your body, your ability to rest, and even the way you see yourself.
Maybe you’re exhausted from holding it all together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed on the inside. Maybe you shut down, avoid, or numb out because it feels like the only way to cope. Or maybe you’re tired of repeating the same patterns in relationships, even when you desperately want things to change.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Trauma can leave you feeling disconnected, unsafe, and unsure of how to move forward but healing is possible.
Healing After Trauma
Trauma therapy for adults is not about erasing the past. It’s about creating space where you feel safe enough to face it, understand it, and begin to heal. Together, we’ll work toward rebuilding trust in yourself, your relationships, and your ability to live with more steadiness and freedom. Therapy can help you:
Managing Overwhelm and Stress
Trauma often leaves you stuck in survival mode: always on edge, reactive, and unsure how to slow down. Therapy gives you tools to regulate your emotions, manage stress, and refill your tank so you can show up with steadiness in your daily life.
Healing Relationships and Breaking Patterns
Trauma can show up in relationships … pulling away, second-guessing your worth, or replaying old patterns that leave you hurt. Together, we’ll untangle these dynamics and help you build relationships that feel safe and supportive.
Creating Calm and Stability
Life after trauma can feel chaotic and unpredictable, like you’re always waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Therapy focuses on restoring a sense of safety and structure, so you feel more grounded and less controlled by the past.
What Adult Trauma Therapy Looks Like Here
I work with adults who are healing from experiences such as abuse, neglect, family trauma, difficult relationships, and other painful life events. My approach is trauma-informed and attachment-focused, which means we’ll look not only at what happened, but also at how it continues to affect the way you relate to yourself and others.
Adult trauma therapy isn’t about “fixing” you — because you are not broken. It’s about creating a safe space to explore your story, reclaim your sense of self, and build the tools you need to move forward with more confidence and connection.
Some of the most common areas I support include:
- Trauma therapy for adults in St. Louis
- Counseling for survivors of abuse or neglect
- Support for relationship wounds and attachment struggles
- Therapy for adults navigating stress, burnout, or life transitions impacted by trauma
More About Me
I’m Anne Benson, and my work is grounded in helping people heal from trauma in ways that feel safe and sustainable. I’ve spent my career supporting children, families, and adults through some of their hardest seasons, using trauma-informed approaches like TF-CBT, ITCT, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
At the core, I show up as calm and steady, someone who can hold your story without judgment. I’m also proud to offer Queer-Affirming Care as a lesbian therapist, creating a space where all identities and experiences are respected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy for Adults
How do I know if trauma therapy could help me?
Many adults carry the effects of trauma long after the original experience. You might notice feeling constantly on edge, emotionally numb, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that are hard to change. Trauma therapy helps you understand how past experiences are affecting your present life and supports you in building more safety, stability, and connection.
What types of trauma do you work with?
I work with adults who have experienced a wide range of trauma, including childhood abuse or neglect, difficult family dynamics, relationship trauma, emotional abuse, and other painful life experiences. Trauma does not always come from one major event. Sometimes it develops slowly through repeated experiences that made you feel unsafe or unsupported.
What happens during trauma therapy sessions?
Trauma therapy is not about forcing you to relive painful memories. Sessions focus on helping you feel safe, understand your emotional responses, and gradually process experiences that may still be affecting you. We also work on practical tools for managing stress, strengthening relationships, and building a greater sense of stability in your daily life.
How long does trauma therapy usually take?
Healing from trauma looks different for everyone. Some people benefit from shorter-term therapy focused on specific concerns, while others choose longer-term support to explore deeper patterns and experiences. We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
Do you work with trauma from childhood?
Yes. Many adults come to therapy because experiences from childhood are still affecting their relationships, self-esteem, or emotional well-being. Therapy provides space to understand how those early experiences shaped you and to build new ways of relating to yourself and others.
Do you offer LGBTQ+ affirming therapy?
Yes. As a lesbian therapist, I provide queer-affirming trauma therapy and work with clients across many identities and experiences. My goal is to create a space where you feel respected, understood, and safe to show up fully as yourself.
Do you accept insurance?
Sessions are $175 and offered out of network. A superbill is available upon request if you would like to submit for potential reimbursement through your insurance provider.
How do I get started with trauma therapy?
The first step is scheduling an appointment. We will begin by talking about what has been weighing on you and what you hope might change through therapy. From there, we can build a plan that supports your healing and helps you move forward with more steadiness and clarity.
Your trauma does not define you.
With the right support, healing is possible and you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we can create a path toward safety, connection, and the life you want to live.
Anne Benson, LCSW
Authentic Roots Counseling, LLC
Phone:
314-718-9946
Office:
7310 Manchester Ave, Suite 200C
Maplewood, MO 63143
