Janina Scarlet

I specialize in working with people who experienced trauma and are struggling with PTSD, as well as anxiety disorders, and complex PTSD. Trauma doesn’t only happen from war. It can also happen from sexual assault, bullying, abandonment, car accidents, health issues (including cancer), traumatic breakups, emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse, and many other situations. In our work together, we’re going to work as a team and we’ll get through it together. I specialize in PTSD and anxiety and use the following modalities of treatment: acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and EMDR. What is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This could include anything from a car accident or natural disaster to ongoing abuse, violence, or combat. PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a response from a nervous system that has experienced too much, too fast, or too soon without enough time or support to process it. Common symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks or intrusive memories of the trauma, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance (feeling constantly on edge), and emotional numbness. Some people may avoid reminders of the trauma or experience changes in mood, such as feeling anxious, depressed, or disconnected. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, know that healing is possible—and you’re not alone. What is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)? Complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, is a form of post-traumatic stress that can develop after prolonged, repeated, or relational trauma—especially in situations where someone felt powerless to escape or protect themselves. This often includes experiences like childhood emotional abuse or neglect, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, or living in chronically unsafe or unstable environments. While C-PTSD shares many symptoms with PTSD—such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance—it also includes additional challenges that stem from long-term trauma. These might include difficulty regulating emotions, a deep and persistent sense of shame, trouble trusting others, low self-worth, dissociation, and struggles with forming or maintaining healthy relationships. People with C-PTSD often carry invisible wounds from experiences that were dismissed or minimized by others. But the impact is very real. Healing from C-PTSD is absolutely possible, especially with trauma-informed support that centers safety, compassion, and empowerment. At the Trauma and PTSD Healing Center, we understand that healing isn’t about “getting over” the past—it’s about gently reconnecting with yourself, your body, and your worth. What are some unusual symptoms of trauma? Many people might not realize that untreated PTSD and cPTSD can lead to any of the following symptoms: Panic attacks (from stored pent-up emotions) Depression Irritability Chronic pain, especially migraines and fibromyalgia Phobias, especially agoraphobia Addiction Procrastination Social anxiety Brain fog What Can Cause Trauma? Trauma isn’t just about what happens to us—it’s also about how our body and mind respond when we feel overwhelmed, unsafe, or helpless. Trauma can result from one-time events like accidents, surgeries, or assaults, but it can also stem from ongoing experiences such as neglect, emotional abuse, systemic oppression, discrimination, or financial hardship. Not all trauma looks the same. What’s traumatic for one person may not be for another, and vice versa. Our unique histories, nervous systems, and support systems all play a role. What matters most is recognizing how an experience made you feel—whether it shook your sense of safety, self-worth, or connection—and honoring that impact with compassion and care. This is a challenging time for many. Understandably, you might feel overwhelmed and stressed out right now. My goal as a therapist is to help you learn to build tools to better support yourself when you are going through a hard time and to bring out your own resiliency skills. I offer Telehealth and can see clients all over California and Nevada.