Complex PTSD and Trauma Therapy in Morris County, New Jersey
What Is Trauma and How Does It Affect You?
Trauma isn’t only about what happened. It’s about what your nervous system had to do to survive it—and what it may still be doing long after the event is over. A lot of people who come to Living Well Therapy have tried to push through, think their way out of it, or tell themselves they “should be fine by now.” But trauma doesn’t live only in the mind and thoughts. It lives in the body.
When the nervous system gets stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown, it can show up in everyday life—sleep issues, anxiety, irritability, feeling numb or disconnected, trouble trusting, or feeling unsafe in your own skin. You might experience panic, flashbacks, nightmares, or a constant sense of being on edge.
Talk therapy can be really helpful. And for many people, it’s not enough on its own. That’s why I use body-centered, trauma-informed approaches that work directly with the nervous system—so your system can complete what got interrupted and you can feel more grounded, present, and in control again.
Meet Your Trauma Therapist: Joshua White, LCSW, SEP
Joshua White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in the state of New Jersey, specializing in trauma therapy and nervous system healing. He is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), certified in 2018, and has been assisting in Somatic Experiencing trainings since 2020. Joshua has been practicing therapy since 2015 and brings over 10 years of clinical experience helping people heal from complex trauma, PTSD, childhood trauma, and developmental trauma.
CREDENTIALS:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), certified 2018
- Somatic Experiencing Training Assistant since 2020
- Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trained in crisis intervention and suicide risk assessment
- Member of Somatic Experiencing International
- APSAT Trainee utilizing the Multi-Dimensional Partner Trauma Model
Joshua’s approach combines Somatic Experiencing ® with parts work and attachment-based therapy to help clients heal trauma. His style is direct, warm, and compassionate. He is especially focused on nervous system regulation because when your system feels safer, thinking gets clearer, emotions become more manageable, and healing becomes possible.
Types of Trauma We Address at Living Well Therapy
Living Well Therapy provides specialized treatment for all types of trauma. Whether you have experienced a single traumatic event or have been dealing with complex, ongoing trauma for years, we can help.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Complex PTSD develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood or in situations where escape was not possible. This might include ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other chronic traumatic situations. C-PTSD affects how you see yourself, how you relate to others, and how you regulate emotions.
Single-Incident Trauma
A single traumatic event, such as a car accident, assault, natural disaster, medical emergency, or sudden loss, can create lasting effects in your nervous system. Even one event can leave you feeling unsafe, hypervigilant, or emotionally stuck.
Developmental Trauma
Trauma that occurs during childhood affects how your brain and nervous system develop. This can include emotional neglect, unstable caregiving, witnessing violence, or growing up in an environment where you did not feel safe or seen.
Accidents and Physical Injuries
Physical trauma from accidents, surgeries, or injuries can leave the body in a state of shock activation or freeze. Somatic Experiencing is especially effective for treating trauma that results from physical events.
Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can include physical and sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, parental substance use (including alcoholism), loss of a parent, or other adverse childhood experiences. These early experiences shape how you relate to yourself and others in adulthood.
Childhood Sexual Abuse
We provide compassionate, trauma-informed treatment for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Healing is possible, and we work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
Common Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma
Do you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself? These are signs that trauma may still be present, affecting your nervous system:
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Flashbacks or intrusive memories
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Nightmares or disturbed sleep
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Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
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Panic attacks or intense anxiety
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Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
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Difficulty trusting others
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Avoiding people, places, or situations
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Irritability, anger outbursts, or mood swings
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
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Feeling unsafe in your own body
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Relationship difficulties or repeating unhealthy patterns
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Physical symptoms doctors cannot explain
If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, trauma therapy may help you find relief and begin the healing you deserve.
How We Approach Trauma Therapy at Living Well Therapy
At Living Well Therapy, we use a nervous-system-centered approach to trauma healing. Joshua White is a trained Somatic Experiencing Practitioner ®and has been assisting in SE training for years. Our work is grounded in the understanding that trauma is not just a mental or emotional issue. It is a physiological issue that affects your nervous system.
Working From The Body Up
Healing from trauma doesn’t have to mean being overwhelmed by it. We use a ‘bottom-up’ approach that honors your nervous system’s pace. Rather than diving straight into the heart of a painful memory, we work from the ‘periphery’—addressing smaller layers of trauma first to build your capacity. This process ensures that by the time we address deeper wounds, you have the internal resources to process them safely without being retraumatized.
Somatic Experiencing and Nervous System Regulation
Somatic Experiencing works directly with your Autonomic Nervous System. When you experience trauma, your body’s survival instincts (fight, flight, or freeze) are activated. If you were not able to complete those actions, that energy stays stored in your muscles and nervous system as tension, anxiety, or numbness.
— Joshua White, LCSW, SEP
Integrative Approach
We combine Somatic Experiencing ® with parts work, attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness practices to create a comprehensive approach to trauma healing. Our style is direct, warm, and personal. We focus on helping you develop steadiness, resilience, and real change that lasts.
What to Expect in Your Trauma Therapy Sessions
First Few Sessions
In your first few sessions, we will take time to understand your history and the specific traumas that brought you to therapy. We will not ask you to dive into the most painful details right away. Instead, we focus on building comfort with the therapeutic relationship and establishing a sense of safety in your nervous system.
Building Stabilization and Resources
Before working with the most difficult trauma material, we help you build resources. Resources are anything that helps you feel even slightly more grounded, settled, or present. This might be the weight of your feet on the floor, a pleasant memory, a supportive relationship, or the sensation of your breath. Building resources gives your nervous system a foundation to return to when things feel difficult.
Trauma Processing
As you build stability, we begin working with trauma material in small, manageable doses. This process is called titration. We touch on small amounts of the difficult material at a time so you do not feel overwhelmed. We also use pendulation, which means gently swinging your attention between a difficult sensation and a resourced or neutral one. This helps your nervous system learn that it can handle stress without getting stuck.
Session Length and Frequency
Trauma therapy sessions are 50 minutes. The frequency depends on your needs and goals. Some clients benefit from weekly sessions, while others may meet less frequently as they stabilize.
What Results Can You Expect From Trauma Therapy?
We cannot promise specific outcomes because healing varies from person to person. However, clients often experience meaningful improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. What we can tell you is that many find freedom from traumatic symptoms.
Panic
Panic attacks nearly every day
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Panic attacks are rare (about once a month)
Sleep
Restless nights and trouble sleeping
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Sleeping peacefully most nights
Reactivity
Constantly on edge—irritable, argumentative, reactive
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More settled—less reactive and more present with others
Timeline for Healing
Why Choose Living Well Therapy for Trauma Treatment?
Specialized Training in Trauma and Somatic Experiencing
Joshua White is not only a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner but has also been a Somatic Experiencing ® Assistant since 2020. This means he has advanced training in nervous system regulation and trauma healing and has worked alongside other SE practitioners to deepen his expertise.
Integrative and Personalized Approach
What sets Living Well Therapy apart is how we combine mindful somatic therapy, parts work, and attachment-based therapy. We are especially focused on nervous system regulation because when your system feels safer, thinking gets clearer, emotions become more manageable, and relationships improve.
Direct, Warm, and Personal Style
Therapy should feel real and approachable. Joshua's style is direct, warm, and personal. We meet you where you are, work at your pace, and focus on what matters most in your life right now.
Over 10 Years of Clinical Experience
Joshua has been practicing therapy since 2015 and has over 10 years of clinical experience helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, and complex PTSD. He is a member of Somatic Experiencing International and continues advanced training in trauma treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy
If you are experiencing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, panic attacks, difficulty trusting others, or feeling unsafe in your body, you may be dealing with unresolved trauma or PTSD. You do not need an official diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy. If past experiences are still affecting how you feel, think, and relate to others, trauma therapy may help.
Traditional talk therapy focuses on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Trauma therapy, especially Somatic Experiencing®, works directly with the nervous system and body. Trauma is stored physiologically, so we need approaches that address the body, not just thoughts or memories.
The length of trauma therapy varies from person to person. Some people experience relief in 3 to 5 sessions, while others with complex trauma may need months of work. We check in regularly and adjust as your needs evolve. Healing happens at the pace your nervous system can handle.
No. In Somatic Experiencing, we do not require you to retell the story of your trauma in detail. In fact, talking about trauma in great detail can sometimes reactivate your nervous system without leading to healing. Instead, we work with the sensations, emotions, and responses in your body. We go at your pace and only touch on what feels manageable.
Yes. Joshua specializes in treating childhood trauma, developmental trauma, and complex PTSD. We understand that trauma that begins in childhood affects how your brain and nervous system develop, and use approaches specifically designed to address these deep, long-standing patterns.
Trauma therapy sessions are 50 minutes and cost $150 per session. We do not bill insurance directly, but we provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Start Your Trauma Healing Journey Today
Living Well Therapy is located in Mendham, New Jersey, and serves clients throughout Morris County, Somerset County, and all of New Jersey via secure telehealth.
Office Location
5 Cold Hill Road South, Suite 18, Mendham, NJ 07945 (Across from the Kings Shopping Center)
Wheelchair accessible with parking available.
Areas We Serve
In-person sessions: Mendham, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Chester, Randolph, Long Valley, Bedminster, and surrounding Morris County and Somerset County areas.
Virtual sessions: All of New Jersey via secure Zoom.
Session Details
Length: 50 minutes
Cost: $150 per session
Insurance: Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement
Sliding scale: Limited spots available
Free 15-Minute Consultation
We offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can ask questions about therapy, discuss why you are seeking help, and learn more about how we might work together.
Contact
Phone: 973-769-4334
Email: info@livingwellnj.com
Response time: 24-48 hours