Heal from the Lasting Effects of Long-Term Trauma with Compassionate Care at Healing Paths
Many people associate trauma with a single catastrophic event – a car accident, combat, or sudden loss. But for many people, trauma wasn’t one moment. It was a series of painful experiences that stretched over years: an unstable home, chronic neglect, emotional or physical abuse, or growing up in an environment where love and safety were inconsistent.
If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)—a form of trauma response that develops from long-term or repeated exposure to distressing situations.
At Healing Paths, our trauma-informed therapists specialize in helping adults identify, process, and heal from the lasting effects of complex trauma.
What Is CPTSD?
Complex PTSD develops when a person experiences trauma repeatedly over time, especially during formative years when emotional safety and stability should have been present.
Unlike standard PTSD, which can stem from a single event, CPTSD often results from chronic exposure to harm or fear. This could include:
Growing up in a home with emotional neglect or criticism
Enduring ongoing abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual)
Experiencing prolonged relationship trauma or betrayal
Living with a parent struggling with addiction or mental illness
Surviving controlling or manipulative relationships
CPTSD doesn’t just live in your mind, it shapes how you see yourself, others, and the world. Many of our clients describe it as being “stuck in survival mode,” long after the danger has passed.
Common Signs and Symptoms of CPTSD
If you have CPTSD, you might not always connect your symptoms to past experiences. You may notice things like:
Feeling constantly on edge or hyper-aware of others’ moods
Difficulty trusting people, even those close to you
Deep feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
Emotional numbness or overreactions to minor stressors
Avoiding conflict but feeling intense distress when it occurs
A persistent sense that you’re “too much” or “not enough”
Chronic relationship difficulties – feeling drawn to unhealthy dynamics or fearing abandonment
Intrusive memories, nightmares, or body sensations tied to old experiences
These symptoms aren’t weakness, they’re adaptations. They helped you survive when survival was the goal. But now, they may be interfering with your ability to thrive, connect, and feel safe in your own skin.
You Deserve to Feel Safe Again
Living with CPTSD can make every day feel like walking through fog – never quite at ease, always waiting for the next emotional blow. But there is a path forward. With the right support, your nervous system can heal, your relationships can grow stronger, and you can begin to feel at home within yourself again.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Healing Paths is here to help.
Do You Offer Remote Virtual Options for Therapy?
Yes. We can help you recover from CPTSD using a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. Meet privately with a licensed therapist or join a therapy group with people from all over the country in the convenience of your home. If you’re interested, sign up here.
Schedule a 30-Minute Trauma Evaluation
At Healing Paths, we see how complex trauma weaves itself into relationships. Many adults with CPTSD long for closeness but fear vulnerability. You might find yourself repeating painful patterns – pushing people away, clinging tightly, or losing your sense of self in relationships.
Healing from CPTSD at Healing Paths
Our Bountiful-based therapy team uses a combination of evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches to help you safely process and release the effects of trauma.
Start Your Healing Journey Today
If you’re in Utah and believe you may be living with the symptoms of Complex PTSD, reach out today to schedule a session with a trauma specialist at Healing Paths. Together, we’ll begin the process of understanding your story, calming your nervous system, and helping you feel safe and whole again.