Welcome to Deb Callahan Therapy
Trauma Therapy & C-PTSD Treatment in Philadelphia
Healing from Complex Trauma for Individuals and Couples
Are you feeling held back by a traumatic event or an environment of abuse and neglect? Whether these experiences occurred during childhood or as an adult, the impact of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) can feel overwhelming.
If you are looking for a trauma therapist in Philadelphia, you may recognize these common struggles:
- Intrusive Symptoms: Are you experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, or trouble sleeping?
- Dissociation: Do you find yourself feeling detached from your body or struggling to stay present?
- Emotional Dysregulation: Do you feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster or struggle with mood swings?
- Relational Trauma: Do you struggle with family relationships or feel you lacked the love and role modeling you needed as a child?
- Trust: Is it hard to trust yourself or others?
- Intimacy Issues: Do you have difficulty connecting with your partner emotionally or physically?
- Lack of Boundaries: Is practicing self-care or maintaining healthy boundaries with others a constant challenge?
Understanding the Impact of Developmental and Intergenerational Trauma
Growing up in a family where physical, sexual, or emotional abuse occurred—or where a parent was emotionally absent due to addiction or mental health issues—is incredibly challenging. This intergenerational trauma often prevents a child from forming a healthy attachment, making it difficult to feel grounded and secure as an adult.
When interpersonal trauma occurs later in life, it compounds these existing feelings of mistrust and low self-worth. Whether your trauma is recent or rooted in the past, identifying these wounds is the first step toward C-PTSD recovery.
Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy and Individual Counseling
Healing is possible. Developing a relationship with a compassionate, skilled trauma therapist can help you process past pain and trauma as well as manage current life stressors.
In my Philadelphia-based practice, I work with both individuals and couples to:
- Increase Awareness:Help you understand what your mind and body are experiencing in real-time.
- Build Resiliency:Develop personal goals to create balance and tap into your inner strength.
- Expand Emotional Skills:Work toward sustainable emotional health, increased emotional regulation and deep healing.
- Improve Trust and Communication: Support your ability to trust yourself more as well as communicate more effectively with your loved ones.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style” – Maya Angelou
Psychotherapy, Supervision, Consultation & Training
About Deb
With over 30 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, I am dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families in the Philadelphia area achieve lasting wellness. Whether you are navigating trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, my goal is to provide a compassionate space for your healing journey.
My Integrative Approach to Therapy
Every person’s path is unique, which is why I use an integrated therapy approach tailored to your needs. My specialties include:
- Gestalt Therapy: A certified approach helping you become more present and aware of your emotions and body.
- Trauma-Informed Care: I utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to work through deep-seated trauma and PTSD as well as inner child work.
- Evidence-Based Techniques: I draw from specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PTSD using Prolonged Exposure Therapy as well as mindfulness-based practices and attachment theories.
Experience You Can Trust
My professional background spans clinical practice, academic leadership, and community advocacy. I have served as:
- Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia-area graduate Schools of Social Work and creative therapy programs.
- Director of Counseling at Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) in Philadelphia.
- Adolescent Specialist at the Youth Health Empowerment Project (YHEP), focusing on trauma, (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), identity issues, and sexual health for young adults and teens (ages 13-19) and supervision for staff and interns.
- Therapist and Educator at The Women’s Therapy Center in Philadelphia
- Therapist in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings and child welfare services
As a musician and artist, I also offer a unique perspective, incorporating creative expression into therapy when it supports your growth.
Start Your Journey Today
I am currently accepting new clients in my Philadelphia private practice for in person or telehealth therapy
Increase emotional health and well-being
Services
In person and tele-health therapy for Adolescents (13 to 19) and Adults
MODALITY
- Individual Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Clinical Supervision (individual and group)
- Group Therapy (check back)
- Workshops and Training
* understanding and working through live performance issues (musician, poet, etc..)..Coming soon
SPECIALIZING IN
- Trauma
– Survivors of sexual abuse
– Domestic violence
– Childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse - Attachment and relationship issues
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Dissociation
- Dealing with depression and anxiety
- Loss and Grief
- Life’s transitions
- Self-esteem and body issues
- Eating disorders
- Recovery from drug and alcohol addictions
- LGBTQ issues
- Sexual and gender identity issues
- Creativity and performing blocks
Access Your Resilience & Strength
Resources
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing International Association
Local Resources
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) A non-profit organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whose mission is to eliminate all forms of sexual violence .
Women Against Abuse (WAA) The leading and largest provider of services to victims of domestic violence in both the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Women In Transition (WIT) provides empowerment counseling, referrals and advocacy to women in Philadelphia who are endangered by domestic violence and/or substance abuse.
Philadelphia FIGHT (FIGHT) A comprehensive health services organization providing primary care, consumer education, research, and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk.
The Therapy Center of Philadelphia The Therapy Center of Philadelphia (formerly The Women’s Therapy Center) Provides affordable therapy to women and trans communities.
Ready To Make A Change?
Fees
Avg Cost (per session): $160 for individual and $175 for couples
Accepted Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Credit card, Paypal, Venmo, Zelle
Insurance Plans – I am not a in-network member of any insurance plan, but will provide receipts so that clients can be reimbursed if they have a personal choice plan.
