Complex Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Sandy, Utah
You've been surviving for a long time. You deserve to actually feel okay.
When it wasn't just one thing
When people hear "trauma," they often picture one big event, like a car accident or an assault. And sometimes that's exactly what it is.
But for a lot of people, it wasn't one moment. It was years. Growing up in a home where you never knew which version of a parent was walking through the door. Being criticized, ignored, or controlled so often that it just felt normal. Learning early that your needs were "too much," or that love had conditions.
That's complex trauma. And because there's no single moment to point to, a lot of people don't even realize that's what they're carrying. They just know something feels off, and has for a long time.
Maybe this sounds familiar
You're always a little on guard, even when nothing is wrong
You go numb or "check out" when things get stressful
You're really hard on yourself, or feel a deep sense of shame you can't quite explain
Relationships feel confusing: you want closeness, but it also feels unsafe
You're great at taking care of everyone else, but don't know what you need
Big emotions come on fast and are hard to come down from
Certain situations, people, or sensations trigger reactions that feel way bigger than the moment
You have nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive memories
If you see yourself here, it doesn't mean something is wrong with you. These are the ways your mind and body learned to protect you. They made a lot of sense back then. They just might not be serving you anymore.
PTSD and complex PTSD: what's the difference?
PTSD usually develops after a specific traumatic event. It often shows up as flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding reminders, and feeling constantly on edge.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) usually develops after trauma that was ongoing or repeated, especially in childhood or in relationships where you couldn't easily leave. It includes many of the same symptoms as PTSD, plus things like difficulty regulating emotions, a harsh or shame-filled view of yourself, and struggles feeling safe in relationships.
You don't need a label to start therapy. But for many people, learning about complex trauma is the first time their experience finally makes sense.
How we work on it
Healing complex trauma isn't about forcing yourself to relive everything. It's about helping your nervous system learn that you're safe now, and giving the hurt parts of you the care they didn't get the first time.
I usually think about it in three stages:
1. Feeling safe and steady. First, we build tools for when emotions or triggers get overwhelming. This is where DBT skills come in: practical ways to calm your body, ride out big feelings, and stay present.
2. Processing what happened. When you're ready, and only then, we start working with the painful memories and beliefs. I use EMDR to help your brain reprocess memories that still feel raw, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to get to know the protective parts of you that have been working overtime to keep you safe.
3. Building the life you actually want. As the past loosens its grip, we focus on what's next: relationships that feel safe, a kinder relationship with yourself, and room to figure out who you are beyond survival mode.
These stages aren't always a straight line, and that's okay. We'll go at your pace, and you'll always have a say in what we work on.
I get it, because I've been there
I became a therapist because of my own mental health struggles and the trauma I experienced from my family and religion. I know what it's like to spend years thinking "this is just how I am," and then slowly realize there's another way to feel.
You won't have to prove to me that what you went through was "bad enough." If it still affects you, it matters.
In person in Sandy, or online anywhere in Utah
My office is in Sandy, and I also offer online therapy for anyone in Utah. For some people, doing trauma work from a familiar, safe space at home makes it easier to open up, and that's completely fine.
I take commercial Select Health and commercial United Healthcare plans, and I can provide superbills if you're using out-of-network benefits.
Common questions
How do I know if what I went through "counts" as trauma?
If an experience overwhelmed your ability to cope, and it still affects how you feel, think, or relate to people, it's worth working on. There's no trauma ranking you have to qualify for.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You decide what to share and when. Approaches like EMDR and IFS don't require you to describe every detail out loud.
How long does therapy for complex trauma take?
Usually longer than for a single traumatic event, because there's often a lot of layers to work through. Many people notice things getting easier along the way, well before they'd say they're "done."
Can I work with you if I'm also dealing with religious trauma?
Yes. For a lot of my clients, religious trauma and family trauma are tangled up together. We can work on both.
Do you work with teens?
Yes. I work with teens and adults.
You don't have to keep just surviving
If any of this resonates, let's talk. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.
Jared Barker, LCSW
White Willow Therapy · Sandy, UT · Online across Utah
(801) 380-2819