Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025You’re in the right place to find PTSD support in St. Louis. Explore trusted therapists, clinics, and resources for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder near you. We make it easier to compare care options, start therapy, and get local help that fits your needs.
Psychologist
Remote only
Michelle Litwer is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat PTSD, Sleep Concerns, Dependent Personality.
My main objective is to help clients manage their emotions, make decisions that are line with their values, and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
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 11 years. They treat PTSD, College and School Placement, Trauma.
Community serving Community: Therapy by the Community, For the Community
Psychologist, Sport Psychologist
7401 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55424
Carlin Anderson is a Psychologist in Edina, Minnesota and has been in practice for 20 years. They treat PTSD, Academic Concerns, Depression.
Grounded in empathy and evidence-based interventions, we are 20+ sport psychology experts providing service & care to individuals, teams, & sport orgs.
Psychotherapist, Psychologist
255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat PTSD, Suicidal Ideation, Body Image.
Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.
Psychologist
Remote only
Disha Patel is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 12 years. They treat PTSD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sexual Assault.
Culturally-attuned therapy for the Asian community by Anise Health. Submit our intake form to be instantly matched with a therapist who understands you.
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat PTSD, Paranoid Personality, Personality Disorders.
Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement
You’re in the right place to explore mental health resources in St. Louis. This section guides you to local hospitals, outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services, and crisis options, and explains the laws that shape access to care. You’ll also find community programs, peer support, and wellness initiatives that promote well-being. Our goal is to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act in relationships, on the job, and in our bodies—shaping communication, concentration, sleep, energy, and stress responses. When we care for mental health, we tend to navigate conflict more calmly, perform better at work or school, and experience fewer headaches, stomach issues, and chronic pain flares. Early caregiving—through parenting styles and attachment patterns—helps wire our emotional development, influencing how safe we feel, how we regulate feelings, and how we trust others across life. Help is available in St. Louis through resources like Behavioral Health Response (24/7 crisis support), BJC Behavioral Health, Saint Louis Counseling, and NAMI St. Louis, and you can also call 988 for immediate support; seeking support is a sign of strength.
If you’re seeking PTSD care in St. Louis, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Psychiatry offer comprehensive inpatient units and outpatient clinics, including trauma-focused therapy and emergency psychiatric stabilization. SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and SSM Health DePaul Hospital provide adult inpatient psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs, and addiction medicine, while SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital focus on child and adolescent psychiatry. Mercy Hospital St. Louis delivers inpatient behavioral health, partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient options, and co-occurring addiction treatment. Christian Hospital (BJC) in North County has adult and geriatric inpatient psychiatry and crisis stabilization services, and the state-operated Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric Center offers short-term acute stabilization for severe crises. For veterans, the VA St. Louis Health Care System (John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks) runs specialized PTSD and substance use programs, and nearby CenterPointe Hospital (St. Charles) provides 24/7 assessments plus inpatient and outpatient care for adults, adolescents, and addiction.
BJC Behavioral Health (City, North County, South County) and Places for People (Forest Park Southeast / The Grove, serving St. Louis City) offer low-cost or Medicaid-based PTSD therapy and case management with walk-in/same-day options, telehealth, wheelchair-accessible sites, and interpreter services (English, Spanish, and additional languages on request). Affinia Healthcare (Downtown, South City/Dutchtown, North St. Louis) and Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers (Delmar/Grand Center, North City, North County) provide sliding-scale integrated behavioral health for PTSD, accessible by major bus lines, with bilingual staff and language line support. Saint Louis Counseling (multiple sites across City and County) and Adapt of Missouri (City and County) offer trauma-focused therapy on a sliding scale, evening telehealth, and ADA-accessible offices. The UMSL Center for Trauma Recovery (North County) provides evidence-based PTSD treatment at low or no cost, with free parking, telehealth, and interpreter access. For crisis support or rapid connection to care anywhere in the region, Behavioral Health Response (BHR) (via 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) offers 24/7 phone, text, and mobile crisis teams with multilingual access.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) offer structured, daytime treatment several days a week for PTSD and related concerns, while Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide fewer hours per week with flexibility for work or school, and residential programs provide 24/7 care in a live-in setting when more support is needed. In St. Louis, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute (near Forest Park/Central West End) offers PHP and IOP focused on trauma recovery, anxiety, and OCD, with a dedicated Trauma Recovery Program. McCallum Place (Webster Groves) provides residential, PHP, and IOP care specializing in eating disorders, including support for co-occurring PTSD. Harris House(South St. Louis) offers residential and IOP treatment for substance use and dual-diagnosis, addressing PTSD symptoms alongside recovery. CenterPointe Hospital (Weldon Spring / St. Charles County) runs PHP and IOP for mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with tracks that can support trauma-related needs.
In Missouri, involuntary psychiatric evaluation is governed by Chapter 632 (“96‑hour hold”), which allows a licensed clinician, law enforcement, or a judge to initiate an emergency hold when someone, due to mental illness, appears likely to seriously harm themselves or others; the person is transported to a designated hospital where a physician/psychiatrist evaluates them, and treatment/evaluation can continue for up to 96 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) unless the court orders longer care. During a crisis, responders aim for the least-restrictive option: assessment starts in the ER or via a mobile crisis team, a clinician conducts the evaluation, and you should be told what’s happening, your options, and the expected time frames. You have rights to information in plain language, free interpreter services, to contact a support person and an attorney, to safe and respectful care, to refuse non-emergency medications, and to advocacy/appeal (including court review and help from Missouri Protection & Advocacy). For immediate help, call or text 988; in St. Louis, Behavioral Health Response (24/7) is at 314-469-6644 or 800-811-4760 and can dispatch Mobile Crisis Response. If you need an ER, go to Barnes‑Jewish Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, or SSM Health DePaul Hospital. This process is meant to keep you safe—if PTSD symptoms are overwhelming, reaching out early can connect you with support and options close to home.
PTSD can show up in daily life as trouble focusing at work, jumpiness with loud sounds like sirens, or feeling on edge during a crowded commute on I‑64 or the MetroLink. You might avoid places that remind you of past events, like busy nightlife areas or big gatherings, and then feel more isolated from friends or community events. The rising cost of living in St. Louis can add stress, making sleep harder and amplifying irritability or worry. Some people notice headaches, stomach issues, or sudden mood swings after a tough shift or a tense neighborhood incident. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—PTSD is common and treatable, and reaching out for support is a strong, healthy step.
When talking with family or friends about PTSD, start by naming it simply—“I’m dealing with a trauma-related condition that can cause triggers, anxiety, or nightmares”—and share what helps you feel safe and supported. Set clear, kind boundaries, such as asking loved ones to avoid certain topics or to check in before offering advice, and let them know what to do if you’re overwhelmed. Practice compassion on both sides by acknowledging their questions and feelings while affirming your lived experience, and remember that people in St. Louis come from many cultures and faith traditions—invite them to support you in ways that fit your background. If the conversation gets tough, take a pause, revisit later, or suggest learning together with resources from trusted local organizations.
The City of St. Louis Department of Health offers behavioral health and trauma-informed care referrals (314-612-5100; 1520 Market St., Downtown), and Behavioral Health Response provides 24/7 crisis and trauma support with mobile outreach across the city (314-469-6644). NAMI St. Louis runs free education, advocacy, and peer-support groups for individuals and families managing PTSD (314-962-4670; 1810 Craig Rd., Creve Coeur). For veterans, the VA St. Louis Health Care System offers PTSD services at John Cochran (915 N. Grand Blvd., Midtown; 314-652-4100) and Jefferson Barracks (1 Jefferson Barracks Dr., Lemay), and the St. Louis Vet Center provides confidential readjustment counseling and groups (2901 Olive St., Midtown; 314-531-5355). Places for People provides trauma-focused therapy and care coordination for adults (4130 Lindell Blvd., Central West End; 314-535-5600). Survivors of violence can access counseling and advocacy through Safe Connections (24/7 hotline 314-531-2003; 2165 Hampton Ave., Cheltenham) and the YWCA Sexual Assault Center (24/7 hotline 314-531-7273; multiple sites regionwide).
Parents in St. Louis can find trauma- and attachment-informed workshops through FamilyForward’s Developmental Trauma Center, the University of Missouri–St. Louis Center for Trauma Recovery, and Saint Louis Children’s Hospital community classes. Many local school districts offer Parents as Teachers home visits and group sessions that explain child development and stress responses, while St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library host free talks and book clubs on parenting and resilience. The Brown School at Washington University frequently offers public lectures and short courses on family communication, adversity, and mental health, and NAMI St. Louis provides education and support groups that help families understand PTSD’s impact at home. Helpful, evidence-based books available at local libraries and bookstores include The Whole-Brain Child, Raising a Secure Child, Parenting from the Inside Out, and The Connected Child. Families can also access crisis support and parent coaching through Saint Louis Crisis Nursery and community programs like Triple P and Strengthening Families, which teach calm communication, routines, and coping skills.
Spending time in calm, green places can help settle a keyed‑up nervous system after trauma, easing hyperarousal and startle responses. Natural light, fresh air, and gentle movement like walking can lift mood and support more restful sleep. Quiet outdoor spots also create safe space to practice mindful breathing or grounding with sights, sounds, and textures. Start small, choose times that feel safest, and go with a support person if helpful.
- Forest Park (Central West End/Skinker-DeBaliviere): Lakes, quiet paths, and shaded lawns for mindful walks; multiple MetroLink/bus stops nearby and plenty of open areas to choose less-crowded routes.
- Missouri Botanical Garden (Shaw): Serene themed gardens, water features, and many benches; typically quieter on weekday mornings; bus access; note paid admission and accessible paths.
- Tower Grove Park (South City): Flat, tree-lined promenades and pavilions offer shade and predictable routes; restrooms and frequent bus service along Grand/Arsenal.
- Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center (Kirkwood): Short, paved, mostly level forest loops with wayfinding signs and indoor facilities—good for gentle movement and sensory grounding; free parking.
- Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park (Maryland Heights): Wide, flat lakeside trail with water views and open sightlines that can feel reassuring; accessible sections and ample parking; less crowded on weekday mornings.
St. Louis offers welcoming arts and wellness spaces that can support healing and connection for people living with PTSD. The Saint Louis Art Museum and Contemporary Art Museum provide calming galleries and community programs, while local writing groups and workshops at places like the St. Louis Writers Guild and Left Bank Books invite safe, creative expression. Yoga studios such as Yoga Buzz, Urban Breath Yoga, and Southtown Yoga offer mindful movement and breathing practices, with some classes designed to be trauma-informed. Music venues like Jazz St. Louis at the Bistro, the Sheldon, and the St. Louis Symphony create shared, uplifting experiences that build community, creativity, and mindfulness.
How do I know when to seek professional help for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
If symptoms like intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, feeling on edge, or mood changes last longer than a month or disrupt work, school, sleep, or relationships, it’s a good time to seek help. Reach out sooner if you’re using alcohol or drugs to cope or feel stuck. If you’re thinking about harming yourself or others, call or text 988 in the U.S. for immediate support.
What’s the difference between therapy, psychiatry, and counseling?
Therapy (psychotherapy) is talk treatment provided by trained clinicians (e.g., psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs) to help you understand and change thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Psychiatry is medical care by physicians (MD/DO) who can diagnose, prescribe medication, and sometimes provide therapy. Counseling is similar to therapy, often more short-term and goal-focused, and may address specific issues like stress, grief, or career concerns. Many people benefit from a combination.
Can I be hospitalized against my will?
In most places, this only happens if you’re an immediate danger to yourself or others, or unable to meet basic needs due to mental illness. The goal is short-term safety and stabilization, not punishment. Laws and processes vary by state, and you have rights—ask about options like safety plans, crisis stabilization units, or intensive outpatient care. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S.
Are there affordable therapy options in St. Louis?
Yes. Community clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (e.g., Affinia Healthcare) offer low-cost services, and organizations like BJC Behavioral Health and Places for People provide care based on need. University training clinics at Washington University and UMSL offer sliding-scale therapy. You can also try Open Path Collective, Psychology Today filters for sliding-scale, and call United Way 211 for local referrals.
What daily habits support good mental health?
Aim for a steady sleep schedule, regular movement, and balanced meals. Keep connected with supportive people and plan small moments of joy or purpose each day. Practice brief mindfulness or breathing, limit alcohol and substance use, and set gentle boundaries around news and screen time. If you slip, reset without self-judgment and start again.
Taking the first step can feel hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can explore MiResource’s directory, reach out to a trusted provider, or call a local crisis line in St. Louis to get support right now. Recovery, healing, and connection are possible, and many people find relief with the right help. Reaching out in your own community can make a real difference and is a strong step toward feeling better.
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.
