Condition
PTSD Treatment Long Island: Specialized Care for Trauma Recovery
Expert PTSD treatment from board-certified psychiatrists. Medication, trauma-focused therapy, and innovative ketamine options at two Nassau County locations.
Trauma Changes Everything
The nightmares that jolt you awake. The way certain sounds or smells transport you back to the worst moment of your life. The hypervigilance that keeps you on edge, scanning for threats that aren’t there. The emotional numbness that makes you feel disconnected from people you love. PTSD doesn’t just live in your memory. It rewires how your brain and body respond to the world.
You may have tried to push through it, told yourself you should be over it by now, or wondered why you can’t just move on. But PTSD isn’t a matter of willpower. It’s a physiological condition that changes brain function, and it requires proper treatment to heal.
At Anxiety & Depression Psychiatry, we provide specialized PTSD treatment Long Island residents can access at our Great Neck and Mineola offices. Our board-certified psychiatrists understand the neurobiology of trauma and offer the full range of evidence-based treatments, from therapy and medication to innovative approaches like ketamine that can help when standard treatments aren’t enough.
Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder develops after exposure to a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 6% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. In any given year, approximately 13 million Americans are living with this condition.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Most people recover naturally over time. But for some, the brain’s fear response becomes stuck, continuing to fire as if the danger is still present long after the traumatic event has passed.
Who Develops PTSD?
Several factors influence PTSD risk. The type of trauma matters significantly. Interpersonal trauma like sexual assault, physical abuse, or combat carries higher risk than accidents or natural disasters. Direct exposure and physical injury increase risk. So do prior trauma history, lack of social support, and pre-existing mental health conditions.
Women are about twice as likely to develop PTSD as men (8% vs. 4% lifetime prevalence), partly because they’re more likely to experience high-risk trauma types like sexual assault. Veterans have elevated PTSD rates, particularly those who deployed to war zones.
PTSD Symptoms
PTSD involves four main symptom clusters:
Intrusion Symptoms
- Unwanted, distressing memories of the trauma
- Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again)
- Nightmares about the event
- Intense psychological distress when reminded of the trauma
- Physical reactions (racing heart, sweating) to trauma reminders
Avoidance
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or memories related to the trauma
- Avoiding people, places, activities, or situations that trigger memories
- Emotional numbing or feeling detached
Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood
- Persistent negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
- Distorted blame of self or others for the trauma
- Persistent negative emotions (fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame)
- Diminished interest in activities
- Feeling detached from others
- Inability to experience positive emotions
Arousal and Reactivity Changes
- Irritability and angry outbursts
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
- Hypervigilance (constantly scanning for threats)
- Exaggerated startle response
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep problems
These symptoms must persist for more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment to meet criteria for PTSD. Many people experience some of these symptoms immediately after trauma, but PTSD is diagnosed when they don’t resolve naturally.
PTSD Treatment Options on Long Island
Effective PTSD treatment typically involves therapy, medication, or both. The goal isn’t to erase traumatic memories but to process them so they no longer control your life. With proper treatment, most people experience significant improvement.
Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy
Therapy is the foundation of PTSD treatment. Several evidence-based approaches have strong research support:
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
helps you gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations you’ve been avoiding. By facing these fears in a safe environment, you learn they’re not actually dangerous, and the fear response diminishes over time.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
focuses on changing unhelpful beliefs that developed from the trauma. Many trauma survivors develop beliefs like “I should have prevented it,” “The world is completely dangerous,” or “I can never trust anyone.” CPT helps you examine and modify these thoughts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
addresses the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to trauma. It’s effective for PTSD and commonly co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
involves recalling traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). This process appears to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they become less distressing.
Medication Management
While therapy addresses PTSD at its source, medications can help manage symptoms and make therapy more effective.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
are the only FDA-approved medications for PTSD. Sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) have specific approval, though other SSRIs may also help. These medications can reduce all PTSD symptom clusters.
Prazosin
is often prescribed for trauma-related nightmares. Originally a blood pressure medication, prazosin has shown effectiveness in reducing nightmare frequency and intensity.
Other Medications
may address specific symptoms. SNRIs can help when SSRIs aren’t effective. Mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics may be added in complex cases. Sleep aids may help short-term while other treatments take effect.
Ketamine Therapy for PTSD
For patients whose PTSD hasn’t responded adequately to conventional treatments, ketamine therapy offers a promising option. Research from Mount Sinai published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that repeated ketamine infusions significantly reduce PTSD symptom severity in people with chronic PTSD.
In this landmark study, participants had severe, chronic PTSD with a median duration of 14 years. Significantly more patients receiving ketamine (67%) achieved at least 30% symptom reduction compared to the control group (20%). Improvement was rapid, observed within 24 hours of the first infusion, and was maintained for a median of 27.5 days after treatment completion.
Ketamine works through different mechanisms than conventional PTSD treatments, targeting the glutamate system and promoting neuroplasticity. This may help the brain form new neural pathways, potentially facilitating trauma processing that standard treatments couldn’t achieve.
We offer both IV ketamine infusions and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which combines ketamine’s neuroplasticity-enhancing effects with trauma-focused therapy for potentially greater benefit.
PTSD and Co-Occurring Conditions
PTSD rarely occurs in isolation. The majority of people with PTSD have at least one other mental health condition. Common co-occurring conditions include:
Depression affects a majority of people with PTSD. The conditions share symptoms like sleep problems, concentration difficulties, and loss of interest in activities. Effective treatment often needs to address both.
Anxiety Disorders frequently accompany PTSD. Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety commonly develop alongside or following PTSD.
Substance Use Disorders often develop as people attempt to self-medicate PTSD symptoms with alcohol or drugs. This can create a destructive cycle where substances temporarily numb symptoms but ultimately worsen the condition.
Chronic Pain is more common in people with PTSD, possibly due to shared neurobiological mechanisms and the physical stress of chronic hyperarousal.
Our comprehensive approach addresses PTSD and any co-occurring conditions together, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
When Standard Treatments Aren't Enough
Some people try multiple therapies and medications without adequate relief. If this describes you, know that additional options exist.
Treatment-resistant PTSD may respond to:
- Different therapy modalities that haven’t been tried yet
- Medication combinations or alternatives to standard SSRIs
- Intensive treatment programs that provide more concentrated therapy
- TMS therapy which has shown promise for PTSD, particularly when co-occurring with depression
- Ketamine therapy which works through different brain pathways than conventional treatments
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy which combines ketamine’s neuroplasticity effects with trauma processing
At Anxiety & Depression Psychiatry, we specialize in helping Long Island patients who haven’t found relief with standard approaches. Our comprehensive treatment options mean we can try new strategies when conventional treatments haven’t worked.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your initial consultation involves a thorough evaluation lasting approximately 60-90 minutes. We’ll discuss your trauma history (at whatever level of detail you’re comfortable with), current symptoms, prior treatment experiences, and treatment goals.
This comprehensive assessment ensures we understand the full picture. PTSD often co-occurs with depression, anxiety, substance use, and other conditions that need to be addressed for optimal recovery.
Based on this evaluation, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan together. We’ll explain our recommendations, discuss alternatives, and answer your questions. Treatment is a collaborative process, and your preferences matter.
Why Choose Anxiety & Depression Psychiatry for PTSD Treatment
Trauma-Informed Care
Our psychiatrists understand the neurobiology of trauma and approach treatment with sensitivity. We know that talking about trauma can be difficult and move at your pace.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
We offer therapy, medication management, and ketamine therapy under one roof. If one approach isn’t providing enough relief, we can add or try alternatives without referring you elsewhere.
Board-Certified Psychiatrists
You’ll receive care from board-certified psychiatrists with specialized training in trauma and PTSD, not just practitioners following basic protocols.
Treatment for Complex Cases
We regularly help patients whose PTSD hasn’t responded to standard treatments. Our expertise with ketamine therapy and other advanced approaches means we can offer options when conventional treatments haven’t worked.
Coordination with Other Providers
If you’re working with a therapist, primary care physician, or other providers, we coordinate care to ensure everyone is on the same page. PTSD treatment Long Island patients receive at our practice integrates seamlessly with their existing care team.
Long Island Location
Anxiety & Depression Psychiatry
300 Old Country Rd, Suite 351 Mineola, NY 11501
(646) 830-0131help@tomerlevin.comOffice Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am – 5pm
Our Mineola location is convenient to Garden City, Westbury, and central Nassau County. We’re close to NYU Winthrop Medical Center and Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Zucker Hillside Hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does PTSD treatment take?
Treatment duration varies by individual, trauma complexity, and treatment approach. Trauma-focused therapies like PE and CPT typically involve 8-15 sessions, though some people need longer. Many patients experience significant improvement within three to six months of active treatment. Ketamine therapy may provide faster initial relief, though it’s often combined with ongoing therapy.
Will I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
Different treatments involve different levels of trauma discussion. Some evidence-based therapies do involve talking about trauma memories in detail, but this happens gradually and at your pace. Medication management requires less detailed trauma discussion. We’ll explain what each treatment involves so you can make an informed choice.
Can PTSD be cured?
Many people achieve complete remission of PTSD symptoms with proper treatment and no longer meet diagnostic criteria. Even when some symptoms persist, effective treatment can dramatically reduce their intensity and impact on daily life. The goal is helping you live fully without trauma controlling your life.
What if my trauma happened many years ago?
PTSD can develop immediately after trauma or years later, and it can be effectively treated regardless of how long ago the trauma occurred. The Mount Sinai ketamine study included participants with a median PTSD duration of 14 years who still showed significant improvement.
Do you treat veterans with PTSD?
Many people achieve complete remission of anxiety symptoms with proper treatment. Even when anxiety can’t be eliminated entirely, effective treatment dramatically reduces its intensity and frequency, allowing people to function fully and enjoy life.
Do you treat panic attacks?
Yes, we treat veterans and civilians with PTSD from all types of trauma. While the VA provides excellent PTSD treatment, some veterans prefer private care for various reasons, and we welcome them.
Can ketamine help PTSD?
Research shows ketamine can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, particularly for people who haven’t responded to other treatments. It works through different brain pathways than conventional medications and may help facilitate trauma processing. We offer ketamine therapy for appropriate candidates.
Does insurance cover PTSD treatment?
Most insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and FDA-approved medications for PTSD. Ketamine therapy is generally not covered by insurance for PTSD. Our team can verify your specific benefits before treatment begins.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Trauma doesn’t have to define your future. With proper treatment, most people with PTSD experience significant improvement and reclaim their lives. The hardest part is often reaching out for help.
Call us at (646) 830-0131 to schedule a consultation. We’ll listen to your story, conduct a thorough evaluation, and develop a treatment plan designed specifically for you.
You’ve survived the trauma. Now let us help you heal from it.
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm
Board-certified psychiatrists • Therapy, medication & ketamine options • Two Long Island locations
insight
Explore Latest Insights from Us
book appointment
Let's Start Your Journey Back
(646) 830-0131help@tomerlevin.com
Mon - Fri: 8am to 5pmSat - Sun: Closed