If you or someone you love is in crisis right now, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Veterans can reach the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Villa’s admissions team can also help you decide on next steps; call (818) 639-7160 any time.
Signs PTSD Treatment May Be The Right Step
PTSD develops after exposure to a traumatic event and looks different from one person to the next. Treatment is worth exploring when symptoms have lasted a month or longer and are affecting work, relationships, or daily life. Common signs include:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories that feel like the event is happening again
- Avoidance of places, people, conversations, or activities that remind you of what happened
- Negative changes in mood or thinking including persistent fear, guilt, shame, anger, emotional numbness, or feeling disconnected from people
- Hyperarousal including being easily startled, on edge most of the time, sleep problems, irritability, or trouble concentrating
- Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause: headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain, racing heart
- Self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, food, work, or other compulsive behaviors to manage symptoms
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
PTSD does not fade on its own for most people. Evidence-based treatment can substantially reduce or resolve symptoms; the research support for EMDR and prolonged exposure is among the strongest in mental health care.
Conditions We Treat
Villa treats the full range of trauma and stress-related conditions, including trauma that occurs alongside substance use or other mental health diagnoses:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the diagnosis given when trauma symptoms last a month or longer and significantly impact daily life
- Acute Stress Disorder trauma symptoms in the first month after the event, where early intervention can prevent progression to PTSD
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) trauma symptoms that develop from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood or in relationships
- Combat-related and military trauma PTSD developed during or after military service
- Sexual assault and intimate partner trauma trauma from sexual violence, domestic abuse, or other interpersonal violations
- Childhood trauma adult symptoms stemming from abuse, neglect, or destabilizing experiences in childhood
- Trauma with co-occurring substance use dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both conditions together (high overlap; treating one without the other often leads to relapse in both)
- Trauma with co-occurring depression, anxiety, or other mental health diagnoses integrated care plans treating both conditions simultaneously
How PTSD treatment works at Villa
Treatment combines clinical assessment, evidence-based trauma therapy, medication management when appropriate, and structured daily programming. Care runs in three formats based on severity and life circumstances.
Residential treatment. A structured live-in program for moderate to severe PTSD, typically 30 to 90 days. Length varies case to case based on clinical need. Residential is the right fit when symptoms are interfering with daily function, when home is not a stable recovery environment, when there is co-occurring substance use, or when 24-hour support is needed for safety.
Therapy and medication management. Weekly or biweekly therapy sessions of 60 to 90 minutes at our Woodland Hills facility, often combined with monthly psychiatric visits for medication management. Most trauma work runs 4 to 6 months in an active phase, with maintenance sessions after.
Telehealth. Secure video sessions for trauma therapy and medication management, available across California. Same licensed clinicians, same session length, same insurance coverage. Some trauma modalities work well by video; others (such as in-person EMDR) are stronger face-to-face. The clinical team will recommend what fits best.
A typical first appointment runs 90 minutes and covers a full clinical assessment, validated PTSD screening (PCL-5), trauma history, medical history, medication review, and a recommended treatment plan. Most patients are scheduled within the same week for telehealth.
Serving Woodland Hills, the San Fernando Valley, and Greater Los Angeles
Villa’s facility sits on Hood Drive in Woodland Hills, about a mile north of the 101 and accessible from Calabasas, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, West Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Van Nuys, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, and the broader San Fernando Valley. Telehealth extends trauma therapy services across Los Angeles County and the rest of California for patients who cannot travel.
Residential treatment serves patients from anywhere in California; the inpatient stay is on-site at the Woodland Hills facility, with family sessions available in person on visit days or by video for out-of-area family members.
Therapies and Modalities Offered
Our clinical team is trained in the evidence-based trauma therapies with the strongest research support. The right modality depends on the type of trauma, time since the event, and the person’s readiness for different approaches.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) a leading evidence-based treatment for trauma, particularly effective for single-incident trauma. EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same intensity of symptoms.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) a structured 12-session protocol developed for combat trauma and now widely used for sexual assault and other traumas. CPT focuses on identifying and changing trauma-related beliefs.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) a structured protocol that helps the person gradually approach trauma-related memories and situations they have been avoiding, reducing the trauma’s grip over time.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) evidence-based protocol particularly effective for trauma in adolescents and young adults.
- Somatic Experiencing and body-based approaches for trauma that lives strongly in the body, including chronic pain, hyperarousal, and dissociation.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) effective for complex PTSD and trauma rooted in early relationships, where different “parts” of the self carry different trauma responses.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for trauma with emotion regulation difficulties, self-harm, or co-occurring borderline personality disorder.
- Group therapy process and skills groups led by licensed clinicians, including trauma-specific groups for shared experiences.
- Family therapy sessions that include partners or family members to address relationship effects of trauma; see family therapy programs.
Clinicians are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) with specialized trauma training. The program is medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Scott, MD, our medical director.
Residential treatment serves patients from anywhere in California; the inpatient stay is on-site at the Woodland Hills facility, with family sessions available in person on visit days or by video for out-of-area family members.
Medication Management For PTSD
Medication is not a stand-alone treatment for PTSD but can substantially reduce symptom intensity while trauma therapy does the deeper work. Our medical team includes board-certified psychiatrists who manage:
- First-line medications for PTSD SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) and SNRIs (venlafaxine), the two FDA-approved drug classes for PTSD
- Sleep and nightmare-specific medications prazosin for trauma-related nightmares, and other sleep-supporting agents when needed
- Anti-anxiety support short-term targeted use of select agents when clinically indicated, with awareness of the elevated risk of dependence in trauma survivors
- Mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics when PTSD presents with significant mood instability or psychotic features
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use, integrated with trauma therapy for dual-diagnosis patients
Medication appointments run every 2 to 4 weeks during the active phase, then less frequently for stable maintenance.
Insurance, cost, and admissions
Villa Treatment Center is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross of California, Health Net, and MHN, and works with most other major carriers on an out-of-network basis. PTSD treatment is typically covered under the behavioral health benefit. Residential treatment is often covered when documented as medically necessary.
Verification takes 15 minutes by phone or 24 hours by online form. Self-pay rates and payment plans are available, and admissions can walk through what your specific plan covers and what your out-of-pocket costs would be on the same call.
To start: call (818) 639-7160 or use the insurance verification form. Same-week appointments are usually available for telehealth; residential intake depends on bed availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does PTSD Treatment typically last in Woodland Hills?
Length varies case to case based on trauma type, severity, and treatment response. Trauma therapy typically runs 4 to 6 months in an active phase; structured protocols like Cognitive Processing Therapy run 12 sessions. Residential treatment runs 30 to 90 days. Many patients continue with maintenance therapy or medication management for a year or more after the active treatment phase.
Does insurance cover PTSD treatment?
Most insurance plans cover PTSD treatment in Woodland Hills. Many providers consider PTSD a serious mental health condition requiring professional care. Coverage typically includes therapy sessions, medications, and sometimes residential treatment. The exact coverage depends on your insurance plan. Staff at treatment centers can help check your benefits and explain costs. They often work with insurance companies to maximize your coverage.
What is EMDR and is it effective?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most rigorously studied trauma therapies, recommended by the WHO, the American Psychological Association, and the VA/Department of Defense. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds) while the patient briefly recalls the trauma, helping the brain reprocess the memory so it no longer triggers the same emotional intensity. Most patients see meaningful symptom reduction within 6 to 12 sessions.
Can I get treatment for PTSD and addiction together?
Yes. Villa is licensed to treat co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis). Trauma and substance use frequently occur together many people develop substance use as a way to manage PTSD symptoms and treating one without the other often leads to relapse in both. Our integrated care plans address both conditions simultaneously with the same clinical team.
Is residential treatment necessary for PTSD?
Residential is recommended when symptoms are severe, when home is not stable, when there is suicidal ideation requiring 24-hour monitoring, or when there is co-occurring substance use needing medical detox. Many people with PTSD do excellent work in outpatient or intensive outpatient programs while maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities. Admissions and the clinical team determine the right level during the initial assessment.
What is complex PTSD and is it treated differently?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, typically in childhood or in long-term relationships. The symptoms overlap with PTSD but include deeper effects on identity, relationships, and emotion regulation. Treatment usually takes longer and often blends multiple modalities: trauma processing (EMDR, IFS), DBT skills for emotion regulation, and relationship-focused therapy. Our clinicians are trained specifically in complex trauma.
Can I do PTSD treatment by telehealth?
Yes. Outpatient trauma therapy and medication management are both available by secure video across California. Some trauma protocols (CPT, certain CBT approaches) work well by video; others (in-person EMDR, somatic work) tend to be stronger face-to-face. The clinical team will recommend what fits best at intake. Residential treatment requires being on-site at the Woodland Hills facility.
Do veterans receive specialized care?
Yes. Our clinicians are trained in combat-related trauma and military-specific PTSD presentations. The Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure protocols we use were originally developed for combat trauma. Veterans can also use the Veterans Crisis Line (988 + press 1, or text 838255) for immediate support outside of treatment hours.
Do I need a referral?
No. Most insurance plans do not require a referral for behavioral health services, though some HMO plans do. Call (818) 639-7160 or use the verification form and admissions will confirm during the insurance check.
Licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (License 190807BP). Joint Commission accredited. 4.7 stars across 40 Google reviews. Medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Scott, MD.