1.Kevin Dao, LPCVerified
(503) 482-2086
Portland, OR
Anxiety · Depression · Trauma and PTSD
recoveredrootscounseling.com · orcounselors.com/provider/kevin-dao
Specialties
Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Oregon
Find Oregon therapists specializing in Trauma and PTSD.
Trauma and PTSD also matches related modalities: Trauma Focused, Trauma-Informed, Religious trauma, Trauma. Results below include all of them.
RelatedAnxiety (396)Trauma Focused (213)Sexual Abuse (83)Trauma-Informed (52)Domestic Abuse (51)First Responders (41)Veterans (41)Religious trauma (6)
As of April 2026, hundreds of therapists listed on Oregon Counselors on this directory specialize in trauma and PTSD. Many of them offer telehealth, many accept Oregon Health Plan, many offer sliding-scale fees. Oregon's trauma specialists work across the full spectrum — single-incident PTSD (one assault, one accident, one combat deployment), complex / developmental trauma rooted in childhood, vicarious trauma in healthcare workers and first responders, medical trauma, and intergenerational trauma. The most well-established treatments here are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Trauma-Focused CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing — and many therapists are trained in two or more so they can adapt to what your nervous system can tolerate. Phase-based pacing is the standard of care: stabilization first, then memory processing, then integration. You should not have to retell the worst day of your life in session one.
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Trauma and PTSD in Oregon, key facts
Researched data on this topic, every figure links to its source.
About 6 of every 100 people (6%) in the U.S. will have PTSD at some point in their lives, and about 5% have PTSD in a given year — roughly 13 million Americans in 2020 (VA National Center for PTSD).
Source: VA National Center for PTSD (2020)PTSD is about twice as common in women (8% lifetime) as in men (4% lifetime) in the U.S. (VA National Center for PTSD).
Source: VA National Center for PTSD (2020)Among Iraq/Afghanistan-era (OIF/OEF) veterans, an estimated 29% have PTSD over their lifetime and 15% in the past year — higher than the 7% lifetime rate across all veterans (VA National Center for PTSD).
Source: VA National Center for PTSD (2023)The NESARC-III survey of over 36,000 U.S. adults (2012-2013) found a 6% lifetime PTSD prevalence under DSM-5 criteria, 8% in women and 4% in men (VA National Center for PTSD).
Source: VA National Center for PTSD (2013)EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is recognized by the APA, the WHO, and the VA as a treatment for PTSD; APA gives it a conditional recommendation as a structured trauma therapy (APA).
Source: American Psychological Association (2024)Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this coverage in Oregon.
What's the difference between EMDR and CBT for trauma?
CBT for trauma (specifically Cognitive Processing Therapy or Trauma-Focused CBT) works by examining and reworking the beliefs you formed about yourself, others, and the world after the trauma. EMDR works at a more bodily / memory-network level, using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) to help the brain reprocess stuck memories. For single-incident trauma, both are equally effective in research; for complex / developmental trauma, many Oregon trauma therapists combine them or add IFS or somatic work.
How do I know if I have PTSD or "complex trauma"?
PTSD typically follows a discrete event (assault, accident, combat) and presents as intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and avoidance. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) follows prolonged or developmental trauma — childhood neglect, ongoing domestic abuse, captivity — and adds difficulties with emotional regulation, self-concept, and relationships. The treatment differs: PTSD often resolves in 12–20 sessions of EMDR or CPT; C-PTSD usually requires a longer phased approach (stabilization → memory work → integration). Almost every trauma specialist here can assess which category fits.
Can therapy retraumatize you?
A poorly-paced trauma therapy can make symptoms worse temporarily — that's why phase-based treatment matters. Reputable trauma therapists spend the first 4–8 sessions on stabilization (grounding skills, window-of-tolerance work, safety planning) before doing any memory processing. If a therapist pushes you to "tell the whole story" in session 1 or 2, that's a red flag. EMDR and CPT specifically build in pacing protocols; ask any prospective therapist how they decide when a client is ready to do trauma processing.
Does Oregon insurance cover trauma therapy?
Yes — trauma and PTSD are covered diagnoses under both OHP and commercial insurance in Oregon. EMDR sessions are billed as standard 90837 / 90834 psychotherapy codes, so insurance doesn't treat them differently. Veterans should also know that the Oregon VA system covers EMDR, CPT, and Prolonged Exposure for service-connected PTSD; many private trauma therapists here also accept TRICARE.
Can EMDR or trauma therapy be done online?
Yes — EMDR adapted to telehealth uses on-screen bilateral stimulation tools and works as well as in-person for most clients. Online trauma therapy is often preferable when leaving the house feels overwhelming or when the trauma involved being in a clinical setting. The exception: dissociative clients who lose grounding easily often do better in-person early on.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Single-incident trauma (one car accident, one assault) typically resolves in 8–12 sessions of focused EMDR or CPT. Complex / developmental trauma is a longer arc — usually 9–18 months of weekly work, sometimes longer. The pace depends on how much stabilization is needed before memory processing can start safely. Most trauma therapists set 90-day check-in points to review progress and adjust the plan.
Can I combine ketamine with EMDR for trauma?
Yes, and it is a fast-growing model in Oregon in 2026. The pairing — ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) plus EMDR — uses ketamine's neuroplasticity window to make trauma memories more workable, while EMDR's bilateral-stimulation protocol does the actual reprocessing. Early clinical reports show clients tolerate trauma processing more easily and progress faster than with either alone. The model is most often used for treatment-resistant complex PTSD or trauma that has stalled in standard EMDR. Look for an Oregon therapist who is both EMDRIA-trained and KAP-certified — see /treatments/ketamine-assisted.
What is somatic trauma therapy, and is it actually evidence-based?
Somatic therapies (Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, the body-based parts of IFS) work with the trauma response stored as body sensation rather than narrative memory. The evidence base is younger and smaller than CBT or EMDR but growing — randomized trials show meaningful PTSD symptom reduction for Somatic Experiencing in particular. Most Oregon trauma therapists now blend body-based work with cognitive or EMDR processing rather than choosing one. If you have tried "talk it out" therapies and they haven't reached the part of the trauma you can feel but can't articulate, somatic work is often the missing piece.
I had a bad therapy experience that made my trauma worse — how do I find a safer therapist?
Phase-based pacing is the safety standard you should ask any prospective trauma therapist about directly. The questions that separate good from rushed trauma work: "How do you decide when a client is ready to do memory processing?", "What does the first phase of treatment look like for you?", "How do you handle dissociation in session?". Anyone qualified will have specific answers — stabilization (4–8 sessions of grounding, window-of-tolerance work, safety planning) before any memory processing starts. If a previous therapist pushed you to "tell the whole story" early, that was a mistake on their end, not a sign you can't do trauma work. Your nervous system can re-learn safety with the right pace.
What is the "window of tolerance" my therapist keeps mentioning?
It's a clinical term for the zone where you can feel difficult emotions and stay present enough to actually process them. Above the window: hyperarousal — racing heart, panic, rage, flashbacks. Below: hypoarousal — numbness, dissociation, shutdown, exhaustion. Trauma processing only works inside the window. The first phase of trauma therapy is mostly skill-building so you can widen the window — grounding, breathwork, identifying early signs of going outside it, and learning what brings you back. A therapist who doesn't talk about pacing is a red flag.
Is it normal to feel worse before I feel better in trauma therapy?
A short period of activation in early sessions is common — naming what happened can stir up what your nervous system has worked hard to keep contained. But "worse" should be brief, the therapist should be actively coaching you through it, and overall trajectory should bend up within 4–8 sessions. If you're sliding deeper for weeks, that's a sign the pacing isn't right or the modality isn't fitting and you should raise it directly. Reputable trauma therapists welcome that conversation.
What is IFS (Internal Family Systems) and why is it everywhere now?
IFS treats the psyche as a system of "parts" — protective parts (the inner critic, the perfectionist, the people-pleaser), wounded parts (the parts holding shame, fear, or grief from earlier in life), and a core Self that is calm, curious, and compassionate by default. The work is to build trust between Self and the protective parts so they relax their grip and let Self approach the wounded parts. It's particularly useful for complex trauma where memories aren't always accessible but the patterns absolutely are. Many Oregon trauma therapists are now Level 1 or Level 2 IFS-trained.
What's the most effective therapy for trauma and PTSD?
The best-supported treatments are trauma-focused CBT, Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and EMDR. They're structured and time-limited, and you stay in control of the pace. Filter this directory for therapists trained in these approaches (e.g., EMDR).
Will I have to talk about the trauma in detail right away?
No. Good trauma therapy starts with safety and stabilization — grounding skills and trust-building — before any processing. A skilled trauma therapist moves at your pace and never forces you to relive events before you're ready.
Does insurance or OHP cover trauma therapy in Oregon?
Yes — PTSD and trauma treatment are covered behavioral health services under most Oregon plans and the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), often at low or no cost on OHP. Use the insurance and OHP filters above to narrow your search.
How many Oregon therapists specialize in trauma and PTSD?
there are hundreds of therapists who specialize in trauma and PTSD. These therapists provide a range of services to address the specific needs of individuals dealing with traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms.
Do Oregon trauma and PTSD therapists accept OHP / Oregon Health Plan?
Yes, many therapists specializing in trauma and PTSD accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). This can make therapy more accessible and affordable for eligible individuals, potentially covering sessions at little or no cost.
Is telehealth available for trauma and PTSD in Oregon?
Yes, hundreds of therapists specializing in trauma and PTSD offer telehealth sessions. This expands access to care for individuals across the state, including those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
Do Oregon trauma and PTSD therapists offer sliding scale fees?
Yes, many therapists specializing in trauma and PTSD offer sliding scale fees. This makes therapy more accessible for individuals with limited financial resources or those without insurance coverage.
Oregon Counselors Directory lists hundreds of therapists specializing in trauma and PTSD across Oregon. Of these, many offer telehealth, providing accessible services for residents in both rural and urban areas. Many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which can cover therapy sessions for eligible individuals at low or no cost. Many providers offer sliding scale fees, catering to those whose income or insurance situations fall outside standard coverage. These providers utilize evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) to address trauma and PTSD.