Trauma Therapy
Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Care to Help You Heal and Reclaim Your Life
When you’ve experienced trauma, the pain can feel overwhelming. You may not know how to begin processing what you’ve been through — or whether healing is even possible. Perhaps you’ve spent years trying to avoid or minimize the impact of painful childhood experiences, only to find them resurfacing again and again, interfering with your ability to feel safe, connected, or present in your life.
You may long to feel secure, grounded, and close to others again — but the effects of trauma can run deep. Even if your trauma happened long ago or feels buried beneath the surface, healing is still possible. You are not alone, and there is hope.
At Clear Direction Psychological Services, I, Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Smyth, believe deeply in your capacity to heal, grow, and reclaim your life after trauma. I understand how trauma shapes not only our suffering, but also our survival strategies. I also know that healing requires more than insight — it requires a safe, supportive environment and a relationship built on trust, compassion, and nonjudgmental care.
My Approach to Trauma Treatment
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist with extensive training in trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions. My approach is collaborative, individualized, and grounded in a deep respect for your lived experience. I begin by listening — carefully and without judgment — and work with you to create a treatment plan that supports your unique needs and goals.
I draw from a variety of trauma-informed approaches, including:
- Polyvagal-informed therapy to help regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of safety
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you reconnect with your values and sense of purpose
- Exposure-based interventions delivered with care and pacing, to reduce avoidance and increase emotional flexibility
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-Based strategies to nurture self-kindness and strengthen emotional resilience
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to address the relational wounds that often stem from trauma
Together, we’ll work toward reducing the intensity of traumatic memories, managing triggers, and building a life that feels more connected, meaningful, and aligned with who you truly are.
Types of Trauma Treated
I work with individuals across a wide range of trauma experiences, including:
- Childhood abuse and neglect
- Physical and/or emotional abuse
- Domestic violence and intimate partner trauma
- Combat and military-related trauma
- Grief or witnessing a loved one get hurt
- Being a victim of a crime or violent event
- Chronic exposure to hardship or high-stress environments
- Vicarious trauma and burnout in caregiving or high-risk professions
I have specialized experience supporting first responders and high-risk professionals, including:
- Emergency Medical Services (Paramedics, EMTs)
- Police Officers and Firefighters
- Physicians, Nurses, and other Healthcare Workers
- Military Personnel
- Correctional Officers and Employees in Jail/Prison Settings
- Teachers and educators impacted by chronic stress or crisis
No matter how long ago your trauma occurred — or how stuck you may feel now — healing is possible. You don’t have to continue living in survival mode. You can find safety, connection, and strength again.
Let’s Begin
If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, I invite you to reach out.
Click the Request Appointment link below to schedule a complimentary 10–15-minute phone consultation, or call me directly at (631) 528-5880.
You deserve exceptional care. I’m here to help you take back your life.
