--- title: "PTSD Treatment in Austin, TX | CARMAhealth" description: "Expert PTSD treatment with medication, ketamine therapy, and TMS. Board-certified psychiatrists in Austin, TX. Schedule your evaluation today." canonical: https://carmahealth.com/conditions/ptsd source: https://carmahealth.com/conditions/ptsd mirror_of: carmahealth.com content_hash: sha256:26d3c45738aa051f82a85b5de1e0562f939c36cf436e5d04a3141a8815e97848 generated_at: 2026-07-08T23:20:17.555Z robots: noindex, follow --- PTSD Treatment # Healing from Trauma Starts Here PTSD is treatable, and you do not have to face it alone. CARMAhealth's psychiatric practitioners offer personalized care, from medication management to ketamine therapy and psychotherapy referral to help you move forward. [Schedule Your Evaluation](/new-patients) [Check Insurance Coverage](/insurance) (image: Woman sitting peacefully in a community garden on a sunny afternoon) Understanding PTSD ## When Trauma Stays with You Post-traumatic stress disorder develops when the mind and body remain stuck in a heightened state of alert long after a traumatic event has passed. Flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, and an overwhelming need to avoid anything connected to the experience are all common. These reactions are not a sign of weakness. They are your nervous system's response to something it was not designed to process alone. With the right support, recovery is possible, and most people see meaningful improvement with evidence-based treatment. The Evidence ## A Well-Studied, Treatable Condition According to the [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd), approximately 3.6% of U.S. adults experience PTSD in any given year, and about 6 out of every 100 people will develop the condition at some point in their lifetime. Women are nearly three times more likely to be affected than men. Among those with PTSD, over a third experience serious impairment in daily functioning, relationships, and work. PTSD can develop after any traumatic experience, including combat, assault, accidents, natural disasters, or the sudden loss of a loved one. The [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline) recommends trauma-focused psychotherapy as a first-line approach, along with SSRI medications such as sertraline and paroxetine. For patients whose symptoms do not respond to these standard treatments, newer interventions offer additional options. At CARMAhealth, treatment begins with a thorough [psychiatric evaluation](/services/psychiatric-evaluation) to understand your history, symptoms, and goals. Your psychiatric practitioner may recommend [medication management](/services/medication-management) with proven SSRI medications, [ketamine therapy](/services/ketamine-therapy) for rapid symptom relief, or [neuromodulation](/services/tms-therapy) as an emerging non-invasive option. PTSD frequently co-occurs with [depression](/conditions/depression) and [anxiety](/conditions/anxiety), and your practitioner addresses the full picture rather than treating each condition in isolation. Treatment Options ## How We Treat PTSD [ ### Psychiatric Evaluation A comprehensive assessment to diagnose PTSD, identify co-occurring conditions, and build a treatment plan tailored to your experience and goals. Learn more ](/services/psychiatric-evaluation)[ ### Medication Management First-line SSRI medications prescribed and carefully monitored by a board-certified psychiatrist, with adjustments based on your response. Learn more ](/services/medication-management)[ ### Ketamine Therapy Intramuscular ketamine, in conjunction with psychotherapy, is a potentially powerful tool to facilitate processing and resolution of trauma. Learn more ](/services/ketamine-therapy)[ ### View All Services Explore every treatment option available at CARMAhealth. Browse services ](/services) Insurance & Coverage ## Most Major Plans Accepted We accept 15+ insurance plans and offer self-pay options for services not covered by insurance. +6 more [Verify Your Coverage](/insurance) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Aetna · BCBS · Cigna · United Healthcare · Humana · and 6 more Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD PTSD symptoms generally fall into four categories: intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted recollections of the event), avoidance (steering clear of places, people, or situations that trigger memories), negative changes in thinking and mood (feelings of hopelessness, emotional numbness, difficulty maintaining relationships), and changes in physical and emotional reactions (being easily startled, trouble sleeping, irritability, or difficulty concentrating). Symptoms typically begin within three months of a traumatic event but can appear later. Without treatment, PTSD symptoms can persist for months, years, or even decades. Some people experience periods where symptoms improve on their own, only to return during times of stress or when exposed to trauma reminders. Early intervention leads to better outcomes. If you have been experiencing symptoms for more than a month, a [psychiatric evaluation](/services/psychiatric-evaluation) can help determine the right treatment approach. Evidence-based PTSD treatments include SSRI medications (sertraline and paroxetine are first-line options), trauma-focused psychotherapy, and advanced interventions for cases that do not respond to standard care. At CARMAhealth, your psychiatrist may recommend [medication management](/services/medication-management), [ketamine therapy](/services/ketamine-therapy), or [TMS therapy](/services/tms-therapy) depending on your symptoms and treatment history. Many patients benefit from a combination of approaches. Clinical research shows that ketamine can produce rapid, significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. CARMAhealth offers ketamine therapy (KT), which combines clinician-supervised ketamine sessions with therapeutic support before, during, and after treatment. While ketamine is not yet FDA-approved specifically for PTSD, growing clinical evidence supports its use under qualified medical supervision for patients who have not responded to standard treatments. Most insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations and medication management for PTSD. CARMAhealth accepts 15+ insurance plans including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, and United Healthcare. Coverage for ketamine therapy and TMS varies by plan. Our team handles insurance verification on your behalf. Visit our [insurance page](/insurance) or call [(512) 212-4670](tel:+15122124670) for details. Our Practitioners ## Psychiatrists Who Specialize in Trauma Every PTSD treatment plan at CARMAhealth is developed and supervised by a board-certified psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Your practitioner understands the complexity of trauma-related conditions and works with you to find the right approach. [Meet Our Practitioners](/providers) [Schedule an Appointment](/new-patients) (image: Carlos Tirado, MD, MPH) Carlos Tirado MD, MPH (image: Isela Werchan, MD) Isela Werchan MD (image: Jennifer Schaefer, MD) Jennifer Schaefer MD (image: Casey Coton, DO) Casey Coton DO (image: Steven Powell, MD) (image: David Walsh) (image: Lorie Kmetz) (image: Sally Reese) (image: Alex Dodson) (image: Audrey Amburgey, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC) (image: Samantha Hurlbut) (image: Dr. Robert Ulrich) (image: Dr. Jeff McCreight) (image: Kim Sterling) +12 and the rest of our care team Take the First Step ## Start Feeling Like Yourself Again Whether you're exploring treatment for the first time or looking for a new practitioner, our psychiatrists are here to listen. [Book an Appointment](/new-patients) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Accepting new patients · 15+ insurance plans accepted · Telehealth available