Louisville · Murray · Telehealth across Kentucky
Trauma and PTSD counseling in Kentucky
A steady place to talk about what happened, at a pace that feels safe to you.
Some experiences stay with you long after they end. You might notice it in your sleep, your temper, your trust in people or how safe your body feels. Acadia Counseling offers trauma counseling at our offices in Louisville and Murray, and online for anyone who lives in Kentucky. Five counselors who focus on trauma are taking new clients now.
Not sure who to see? Call and we’ll help you choose.
Good to know
- Where
- Louisville and Murray offices, and telehealth anywhere in Kentucky
- Taking new clients
- Five counselors with a trauma or PTSD focus
- Cost and insurance
- Kentucky Medicaid, Medicare, commercial plans, TRICARE East and EAPs. Self-pay from $25 to $100. See plans and fees
- Sessions
- About 50 to 55 minutes, in person or by secure video
What trauma can look like
Trauma is a reaction to something deeply distressing. It can follow a single event, like a car crash, an assault or a sudden loss. It can also build slowly, through abuse, neglect, a chaotic home or a relationship that wore you down over years.
People respond in different ways. Common signs include:
- Memories, flashbacks or nightmares that come back without warning
- Feeling on edge, jumpy or always on guard
- Avoiding places, people or conversations that bring it back
- Numbness, or feeling cut off from the people you love
- Anger, guilt or shame that seems bigger than the moment
- Headaches, stomach trouble or poor sleep
You don’t need a diagnosis to start. You also don’t need to share every detail in your first session. Many people begin by saying only that something from the past is still getting in the way.
How trauma counseling works at Acadia
Your first sessions focus on getting to know you. Your counselor will ask what brings you in, what you want to change and what helps you feel steady. You decide how much to share and when.
From there, you and your counselor build a plan together. Trauma counseling often includes:
- Learning ways to calm your body when stress spikes
- Understanding how trauma shapes your thoughts, reactions and relationships
- Working through painful memories at a pace that feels manageable
- Rebuilding routines, trust and a sense of safety in daily life
Sessions last about 50 to 55 minutes. Many people start weekly or every other week. You can talk with your counselor at any point about how the work is going and whether to change the approach.
Childhood trauma
Hard experiences in childhood can shape how adults handle stress, conflict and closeness. Adults often come to counseling to make sense of abuse, neglect, a parent’s addiction or an unstable home. Counseling can help you notice old patterns and practice new ways of responding to the people in your life now.
For children and teens, Megan Higashimura, LPCC, sees clients ages 5 and up in Murray and by telehealth. Her focus includes PTSD and attachment, and she also works with families. Read more on our child and teen counseling page.
EMDR therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured approach for working through distressing memories. Your counselor guides you to bring up parts of a memory while you follow a back-and-forth pattern, such as eye movements or gentle taps. EMDR starts with preparation sessions, so you have ways to steady yourself before any memory work begins.
Two people at Acadia offer EMDR. Eric Rudd, LPCC, provides EMDR at our Murray office and is currently full. Deborah Marasa, a supervised counselor in training, includes EMDR in her work with adults at our Louisville office. Her sessions are $25, self-pay. If EMDR is what you’re looking for, mention it when you call and we’ll talk through your options.
Trauma counselors taking new clients
Each counselor below includes trauma or PTSD in their focus. Every one of them also offers telehealth to people who live in Kentucky. Openings change often, so call if you don’t see the right fit.
Megan Higashimura
PTSD, ADHD, LGBTQ+ affirming care, autism (level 1), attachment and oppositional behavior.
Taking new clients
Currently full
Online trauma therapy in Kentucky
Telehealth lets you meet from home or any private place in Kentucky. That can make it easier to start, especially if leaving the house feels hard right now. Charlene McDonald and April Cornett see clients by telehealth only, so they work with adults all over the state. John Bush, Megan Higashimura and Deborah Marasa see clients in person and online.
You’ll join by secure video from a private, stationary place. Learn more about online counseling across Kentucky, or visit our Louisville and Murray offices.
Cost and insurance
Every licensed counselor here takes Kentucky Medicaid plans from UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare, Passport by Molina, Aetna Better Health and Humana, along with Anthem, Cigna, Aetna and MedBen commercial plans. Charlene McDonald and John Bush also take Medicare, TRICARE East and several more plans. Deborah Marasa’s supervised sessions are $25, self-pay. See insurance and payments for the full plan list and every counselor’s fee.
Questions about trauma counseling
Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail?
No. You set the pace. Many people spend the first sessions on safety, coping skills and getting to know their counselor. If something feels like too much, tell your counselor and you can slow down together.
Who offers EMDR at Acadia?
Eric Rudd, LPCC, offers EMDR in Murray and is currently full. Deborah Marasa, a supervised counselor in training, offers EMDR to adults in Louisville and is taking new clients at $25 per session.
Can you help after domestic violence or emotional abuse?
Yes. Charlene McDonald focuses on recovery from abuse and domestic violence. April Cornett focuses on recovery from narcissistic and emotional abuse. Both see adults by telehealth anywhere in Kentucky. If you are in danger now, call 911.
Do you work with military members and first responders?
Yes. John Bush, LCADC, LPCC, focuses on military service, trauma, mood and substance use, and he takes TRICARE East. Deborah Marasa works with first responders and military clients. Both see adults in Louisville and by telehealth.
How long does trauma counseling take?
It varies from person to person. Some people come for a few months and others stay longer. Your counselor will check in with you about goals and progress, and you can adjust the plan together.
More answers are on our FAQ page.
Related support
Start trauma counseling when you’re ready
Request an appointment online, or call either office to talk about which counselor fits. You can share as much or as little as you like when you call.
Email us at info@acadiacounseling.com.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.