Trauma Therapy in Newport News, VA, Washington, DC, and Online
Peace'In'It Counseling provides trauma-focused psychotherapy for individuals seeking healing from overwhelming and life-altering experiences. The practice serves clients in Newport News, VA, Washington, DC, and through secure online therapy. Trauma affects emotional regulation, nervous system functioning, relationships, and one’s sense of safety in the world. Peace'In'It Counseling focuses on helping clients process trauma in ways that restore stability, resilience, and self-trust rather than retraumatizing or rushing the healing process.
The practice is led by Prell Gross and Petra Gross, two experienced clinicians whose complementary backgrounds shape a thoughtful, grounded approach to trauma care. Together, they emphasize safety, authenticity, and sustainable progress.
Understanding Trauma and Complex Trauma
Trauma occurs when an experience overwhelms a person’s ability to cope or integrate what happened. These experiences may include abuse, neglect, violence, systemic oppression, or prolonged emotional harm. Complex trauma develops when traumatic experiences occur repeatedly over time, especially during childhood or within unsafe relational environments. Trauma frequently presents as anxiety, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, dissociation, or difficulty trusting others.
Many individuals seek PTSD therapy when symptoms such as panic, intrusive memories, or emotional reactivity begin to interfere with daily functioning. Trauma lives not only in memory, but also in the body and nervous system, which is why effective psychotherapy must address more than cognitive insight alone.
A Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Approach
Peace'In'It Counseling approaches trauma through a foundation of emotional safety and collaboration. Petra Gross brings extensive experience in trauma-informed care, integrating mindfulness-based practices, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other evidence-based approaches to help clients remain grounded while processing distressing material. Her work emphasizes nervous system regulation and self-compassion as essential components of trauma recovery.
Prell Gross contributes more than a decade of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. His therapeutic style prioritizes authenticity, trust, and emotional presence. He focuses on helping clients recognize existing strengths while developing new strategies to manage trauma responses, stress, and emotional overwhelm.
Trauma Therapy Modalities Used
Peace'In'It Counseling integrates multiple trauma-focused methods, including EMDR and structured psychotherapy approaches, based on each client’s needs and readiness. Trauma therapy emphasizes stabilization, regulation, and gradual processing rather than forced exposure. Treatment commonly supports clients in:
- Reducing trauma-related anxiety and panic
- Processing complex trauma safely over time
- Strengthening emotional regulation and coping skills
- Rebuilding trust in self and relationships
This individualized framework allows therapy to remain effective without becoming overwhelming.
Healing Beyond Symptom Reduction
Trauma impacts identity, relationships, and daily functioning. Prell Gross and Petra Gross work with clients to understand how trauma influences current patterns while supporting forward movement and personal agency. Therapy focuses on long-term healing, not just symptom management, helping clients reclaim a sense of choice, connection, and stability.
Begin Trauma Therapy With Peace'In'It Counseling
Individuals seeking support for trauma or complex trauma can contact Peace'In'It Counseling for professional care in Newport News, VA, Washington, DC, or online. Call (757) 690-1992 to schedule an appointment and begin trauma-focused psychotherapy with Prell Gross and Petra Gross.