Find a Therapist for PTSD in Burlington

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

This page explains PTSD, how treatment can help, and how to find therapists in Burlington who treat it. You’ll also find practical guidance for getting care locally, with options that can fit winter travel, scheduling, and insurance needs.

  • Christy Hofsess, Psychologist

    Christy Hofsess

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Christy Hofsess is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 4 years. They treat PTSD, Infidelity, Parenting Concerns.

    My mission is to help individuals and couples reach their full potential for connection and growth using a holistic and culturally responsive approach.

    View profile
  • Elaina Meier, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Elaina Meier

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Psychologist

    1845 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

    Elaina Meier is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been in practice for 12 years. They treat PTSD, Trauma, Gender Identity.

    Community serving Community: Therapy by the Community, For the Community

    View profile
  • Carlin Anderson, Psychologist

    Carlin Anderson

    Psychologist, Sport Psychologist

    7401 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55424

    Carlin Anderson is a Psychologist in Edina, Minnesota and has been in practice for 22 years. They treat PTSD, Perfectionism, Life Transitions.

    Grounded in empathy and evidence-based interventions, we are 20+ sport psychology experts providing service & care to individuals, teams, & sport orgs.

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  • Elizabeth Swift, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Elizabeth Swift

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Remote only

    Elizabeth Swift is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat PTSD, Sexual Assault, Gender Identity.

    You can find relief, reclaim your sense of self, and step into a life that feels more aligned, peaceful, and fulfilling.

    View profile
  • Hider Shaaban, Psychotherapist

    Hider Shaaban

    Psychotherapist, Psychologist

    255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

    Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat PTSD, Career, Spiritual/Religious Concerns.

    Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.

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  • Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC, Psychologist

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC

    Psychologist, Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat PTSD, Medication Concerns, Antisocial Personality.

    Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement

    View profile

Understanding PTSD

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a frightening or life-threatening event. It can show up as unwanted memories, nightmares, feeling on edge, avoiding reminders of what happened, mood changes, or trouble sleeping and concentrating. Some people notice symptoms soon after the event, while for others they can appear later and interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines. Recognizing PTSD matters because it is treatable, and getting help early can reduce how much it affects life. This description is based on clinical guidelines.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Not everyone experiences PTSD the same way, and symptoms can look different from person to person and in different situations.

  • Unwanted memories or flashbacks that feel very real
  • Bad dreams or trouble sleeping
  • Feeling on edge, jumpy, or easily startled
  • Avoiding people, places, or reminders of what happened
  • Strong feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or numbness
  • Trouble concentrating or feeling “foggy”
  • Being irritable or having sudden anger
  • Physical stress signs like a racing heart, sweating, or tense muscles

Why This Happens

In Burlington, ongoing stress, major life changes, or reminders of past trauma can make PTSD symptoms feel stronger for some people. Different people have different triggers, and what affects one person may not affect another in the same way. Symptoms can also flare during times of uncertainty, conflict, poor sleep, or when a person feels unsafe or overwhelmed. Having triggers does not mean someone is at fault; it is a common response to difficult experiences and stress.

How Treatment Works

Working with a therapist can help reduce PTSD symptoms by giving you support for processing trauma and learning skills to manage distress, triggers, and sleep or anxiety problems. Therapy can also strengthen coping by helping you practice ways to stay grounded and handle day-to-day stress more effectively. Approaches often used for PTSD include trauma-focused therapy, which centers on safely processing traumatic memories, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns and building coping skills. When symptoms are easier to manage, it can also be easier to communicate with others and maintain stronger relationships.

Finding the right provider in Burlington

To find the right PTSD therapist in Burlington, start by searching for providers who specifically work with PTSD. Use filters to narrow your options by insurance acceptance, appointment availability, and the therapy approach you prefer. Personal fit matters, so look for someone whose style feels comfortable and practical for your needs. In Burlington, winter road conditions can affect travel, many residents drive to appointments, bus service is concentrated in central areas, and parking can be limited near downtown and campus areas, so telehealth may be especially helpful. Insurance acceptance varies, and sliding-scale clinics exist but may have waitlists, so it can help to compare options carefully. MiResource makes comparing options easier.

Local Care Logistics in Burlington

Accessing PTSD therapy in Burlington can depend a lot on where you live and how you travel. People in the Old North End, New North End, South End, and Hill Section may have different commute times, and getting to appointments downtown can be harder when winter roads are rough. If you live near the Church Street Marketplace or the Waterfront District, bus service may be more convenient, but parking can be limited near downtown and campus areas. In places like South Burlington, Winooski, or Essex Junction, driving is common, so weather and traffic across Chittenden County can affect whether you can keep a regular schedule. If you work in tourism, education, or healthcare, shifting hours can make it harder to find consistent therapy times. Telehealth can help when travel, snow, or long waits get in the way.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in Burlington

  • Spend 10 minutes outside most days, even if it is just a short walk at Waterfront Park or along the Burlington Bike Path.
  • Keep one simple grounding routine for after triggers: name five things you see, then take slow breaths for one minute.
  • Pick a consistent check-in time each day for sleep, meals, and medication so your routine stays steady during long winters.
  • If travel feels hard, use telehealth when possible and plan appointments around weather and parking limits.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Seek immediate help if PTSD symptoms become overwhelming, you feel unable to stay safe, or there is any risk of harm to yourself or others. Call 988, 911, or Howard Center First Call for Chittenden County at 802-488-7777 right away, and use the Vermont Crisis Text Line by texting VT to 741741 if talking is hard. You can also go to The University of Vermont Medical Center, Northwestern Medical Center, Porter Medical Center, or Copley Hospital for emergency care. Howard Center First Call for Chittenden County and Washington County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team are also available for mobile crisis support.

Common Questions About PTSD

Q: What is the condition and how is it typically identified? A: PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses trauma. It is often identified by symptoms such as unwanted memories, nightmares, feeling on edge, avoiding reminders, and changes in mood or thinking. A clinician typically looks at how long the symptoms have lasted and how much they affect daily life.

Q: Who commonly experiences this condition? A: PTSD can affect anyone who has gone through trauma, including children, teens, and adults. It is often seen in people exposed to violence, serious accidents, abuse, sudden loss, natural disasters, or other frightening events. Some people develop symptoms soon after the event, while others notice them later.

Q: How common is it, in general terms? A: PTSD affects some people after trauma, but not everyone who has a difficult experience develops it. Many people have short-term stress reactions that improve over time, while others continue to struggle longer. In general, it is a condition that mental health professionals encounter fairly often.

Q: Can the condition be prevented? A: PTSD cannot always be prevented, because trauma is not always predictable or avoidable. Early support after a traumatic event can sometimes lower the chance that symptoms become long-lasting. Feeling safe, getting support, and addressing distress early may help some individuals recover more smoothly.

Q: What should someone do if they think they have it? A: They should reach out to a mental health professional, primary care clinician, or another trusted health provider for an assessment. If getting to appointments is hard in Burlington because of winter travel, parking, or scheduling limits, telehealth may be a helpful option. If symptoms feel overwhelming or include thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent help right away.

Q: How can someone talk to others about the condition? A: It can help to keep the conversation simple and honest, such as saying the person is dealing with trauma-related symptoms and working on recovery. They can share only what feels comfortable and ask for specific support, like patience, privacy, or help with transportation. Using respectful language and focusing on the person’s needs can make the topic easier to discuss.

Local Resources in Burlington

MiResource can help you search for clinicians in Burlington, VT who treat PTSD. You can filter by insurance, specialty, and availability to find someone who fits your needs.

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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