Trauma and PTSD Therapy for Adults
In-person trauma therapy in Salt Lake City and online across Utah
Past experiences may still affect how you feel and respond today. You might feel on guard, avoid certain reminders, or find yourself overwhelmed by reactions you struggle to understand.
I’m Cody Merrell, LCSW, the therapist at New Heights Counseling. I provide individual therapy for adults experiencing PTSD or the lasting effects of trauma and other difficult experiences.
Have a question or can’t find a time that works? Contact me.
When earlier experiences remain present
You may know that a situation is over and still react strongly to a reminder. Sleep, concentration, or feeling at ease around others may be difficult. You might pull away from people you care about or feel emotionally distant when you want to be engaged.
In therapy, we look at what you’re experiencing now, the history that may be relevant, and how these difficulties affect your relationships, work, and daily routines.
Trauma therapy and PTSD
People seek trauma therapy for different reasons. Some have been diagnosed with PTSD; others want help with the continuing effects of difficult experiences. We take time to understand what you’re experiencing and what treatment may be helpful.
My work also includes the lasting effects of religious trauma, such as shame, fear, or difficulty trusting yourself.
Repeated experiences and complex trauma
Some traumatic experiences happen repeatedly or over a long period, including within close relationships. The term “complex trauma” is often used to describe these experiences and their lasting effects.
These experiences may affect how you see yourself, trust others, or respond in relationships. You might expect conflict when expressing a need, blame yourself for what happened, or move between feeling overwhelmed and feeling shut down.
We can explore how these responses developed and work on the difficulties they create in your life now.
Working Together
I ask thoughtful questions, offer observations, and can be direct when that’s helpful. Our work connects understanding your experiences with practical changes. Reducing current distress, making daily life more manageable, and developing a deeper understanding of yourself can all be part of therapy.
For example, a tense conversation might leave you unable to speak even though you know what you want to say. We could explore what happens in those moments, consider any connection to earlier experiences, and work on ways to respond and communicate.
We decide together what to address and how to approach it. Depending on your needs, preparation may include identifying support and ways to manage distress before addressing past experiences more directly. You don’t need to recount every detail of your history. We pay attention to how the work is affecting you and adjust the pace together.
I welcome adults of different identities and backgrounds. My approach is LGBTQIA+ affirming, and much of my work is with gay men.
EMDR as part of trauma therapy
I’m trained in EMDR, one of the approaches we may consider depending on assessment, your preferences, and your goals. I also draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-informed approaches. Learn more about EMDR Therapy.
Getting Started
A free 15-minute consultation, by video or in person, gives us a chance to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and consider whether working together feels like a good fit. It’s an introductory conversation rather than a therapy appointment.
Have a question or can’t find a time that works? Contact me.