Takeaway: If you’re struggling to recover from trauma, you’re not alone. Thankfully, working with a trauma therapist in Nashville can help you heal. Together, we’ll process your experience and find a path forward so you can enjoy your life. Reach out today to get started.
Meet Dr. Kim Knight, Psy.D. | Spring Hill, Franklin, & Nashville trauma therapist
Experiencing a traumatic event is incredibly painful and difficult. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I’m passionate about helping people process their trauma and supporting them on their journey forward. During my 25+ years in private practice, I’ve helped hundreds of trauma survivors make sense of their experiences and discover how to live a fulfilling life despite their traumatic experiences.
I deeply understand how difficult it can be to seek treatment when you’ve experienced trauma. At the same time, it’s incredibly empowering to make this decision for yourself. You’re taking your mental health wellness into your own hands while also realizing that you don’t have to go through this journey alone.
My extensive professional experience, education, and training enable me to support people with a wide range of traumatic experiences, including (but not limited to) sexual abuse, adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, single-event trauma, and traumatic grief.
While I’m based in the greater Nashville, TN area, I am also credentialed through PsyPact. This allows me to work with people in over 30 states nationwide. For those located in the area, I offer in-person sessions at my offices in Brentwood and Spring Hill. If you’re not local or would prefer not to come into the office, I offer online therapy via a secure HIPPA-complaint platform.
My approach to trauma therapy in Nashville & Spring Hill
My approach to treating trauma is warm and engaging. I’m committed to creating a safe space where you can discuss your thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to trauma. Talking about past trauma is difficult, and I want to make sure you know that I feel honored to walk this path with you.
Many people who have experienced trauma feel as if they will never be whole again. While trauma can change us, know that you are not broken. Part of my approach to trauma treatment involves helping you identify your strengths and inner resilience to remember that you already possess the capacity to heal. Therapy just helps you access it.
I also recognize you as the expert in yourself. While I have extensive professional experience and specialized training as a therapist, you know yourself best. This process is about you, and it’s important to me that your voice remains central throughout our work together.
Beyond taking a client-centered approach, I also incorporate evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Together, we’ll uncover which unhelpful thought patterns are preventing you from moving forward. From here, we’ll make shifts to help you gain a new perspective and finally heal your unresolved trauma.
Reach out today to get started
Understanding the effects of trauma
When we experience trauma, it’s common to experience changes in how we view ourselves, those around us, and the world itself. Mental, emotional, and physical symptoms are also common. If you’re unsure how the effects of trauma present themselves in your life, here are some common examples.
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intrusive, painful memories
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the experience
- Being easily startled
- Feeling tense, on edge, or on guard
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anger or irritability
- Blaming yourself for the painful experiences
This is not an exhaustive list of how trauma can manifest in people. If you’re struggling with these or other trauma symptoms, I encourage you to reach out.
FAQs about working with a trauma therapist in Spring Hill, Franklin, & Nashville, TN
Whether this is your first time working with a trauma therapist or you’re making the brave decision to seek counseling services again, it’s normal to have questions. Below, I’ve addressed some of the most frequently asked questions I hear from prospective clients. If you have further questions you’d like to discuss, you can contact me directly.
What therapy is best for severe trauma?
You have several options when it comes to trauma treatment, so it’s important to consider what methods might resonate best with you. Thankfully, there are many forms of therapy that are effective in helping people along their healing process.
I use evidence-based talk therapy methods like CBT to help you process your experience and uncover the thought and behavior patterns that keep you stuck. However, other therapists might use methods such as eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, or cognitive processing therapy (CPT).
You don’t need to be an expert on what each approach entails, but I recommend doing some research to find out which you’re most interested in. It’s also important to consider other factors when choosing a therapist, such as their professional experience, logistics like scheduling availability, and whether or not you feel a connection with them.
Is trauma therapy the same as PTSD therapy?
Yes. The terms “trauma therapy,” “trauma work,” and “PTSD therapy” can all be used interchangeably. However, it’s important to note that you don’t need a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to seek therapy.
Some people experience PTSD symptoms without meeting the criteria for a diagnosis. Or, they may have other mental health issues like anxiety or depression that have been triggered by trauma. Some people may not even know that what they experienced is considered trauma but still find themselves deeply affected by it.
Regardless of your past experiences and symptoms, you deserve support along your healing journey. My counseling practice is open to people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life, so I encourage you to reach out even if you’re unsure whether you’ve experienced trauma or have PTSD.
Is trauma therapy worth it?
Yes, I wholeheartedly believe that trauma treatment is worth it. Each person’s experience is different, so it’s impossible to guarantee certain outcomes from seeking care. However, I find that people who are interested in therapy, open to the process, and willing to put in the work often reach their goals for therapy.
The effects of trauma can vary widely from person to person, but they can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Your mental health may suffer, along with your relationships with others—and yourself. Many people experience physical symptoms as well, including muscle tension, headaches, and even chronic pain. By working with a trauma therapist, you can process your experience, learn new coping skills, and finally find relief from these symptoms.
While I’ve seen this firsthand in the hundreds of clients I’ve helped, trauma therapy is also backed by research. This study supports the effectiveness of EMDR, a relatively new trauma treatment. Additionally, the American Psychological Association (APA)’s Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD highly recommends the use of CBT as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. This is one of the approaches I use.
Get the mental health support you need to break free from trauma and live a life you love.
While trauma can leave you feeling stuck and unsafe, healing is possible. I’ve seen it firsthand in my years of providing trauma treatment. If you’re ready to work through your experience and find relief from the physical, emotional, and mental health symptoms of trauma, I invite you to reach out.