Highly Recommended NYC PTSD Therapist Kristen Plake
If you have PTSD or complex PTSD, you know how isolating, confusing, and overwhelming it can be. You may find yourself constantly on high alert, struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, or feeling disconnected from loved ones. Or, you may not be able to put your finger on how PTSD is impacting your day-to-day life, but you know that you feel the effects.
At Frontline Wellness Group, I specialize in providing trauma-informed care specifically designed for individuals who face ongoing exposure to traumatic situations—especially first responders, law enforcement officers, and their loved ones. Contact me today to get the support you need to heal.
Meet your NYC PTSD therapist
Kristen Plake, LCSW
As the daughter of a police officer who witnessed the September 11th attacks in NYC, I bring a deeply personal understanding to trauma treatment. With over 15 years of experience working with individuals in crisis, I founded Frontline Wellness Group specifically to address the lack of services for first responders experiencing repeated trauma. My approach combines evidence-based therapies like Trauma-Focused CBT and Prolonged Exposure Therapy with genuine care so you can process what you’ve been through and move forward with intention.
Good fit for: First responders, law enforcement officers & their loved ones, healthcare workers, people in high-stress professions
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults
Location: Serving the greater NYC area
Virtual therapy: Yes, for NY, NJ, & DE
Common reasons why people seek PTSD & C-PTSD treatment
You have trouble sleeping—including falling asleep or waking up from nightmares in a cold sweat
You can't shake the images, sounds, or smells from something terrible you witnessed or experienced
You feel like you’re always waiting for the next catastrophe to happen
You feel like you're watching your life happen from outside your body, disconnected from everyone around you
No matter how hard you try, work stress follows you home and takes over your evenings
Small things your partner does suddenly make you feel angry or scared, and you don't know why
Things you used to love—hobbies, friends, activities—just don't feel the same anymore
You feel like you're watching your life happen from outside your body, disconnected from everyone around you
You snap at people you care about and immediately regret it, but you can't seem to stop
Everyone around you seems to live in a different world—one where terrible things don't happen
You've built walls around your pain to protect your family, but now you feel completely alone
You question whether you can trust anyone or anything, including yourself
Simple everyday situations feel overwhelming and exhausting
You find yourself replaying traumatic moments over and over, unable to make them stop
How PTSD therapy can help
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Develop effective coping strategies
Through evidence-based approaches like Trauma Focused-CBT and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, we'll work together to build your toolbox of practical strategies. You'll learn ways to manage those overwhelming moments and intrusive thoughts, helping you feel more in control of your responses and stronger for whatever comes your way next.
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Improve relationships and communication
Trauma doesn't just affect you—it touches everyone you love. Together, we'll help you become less reactive and more present in your relationships. You'll discover how to communicate what you need, manage those unexpected triggers, and create the deeper connections your heart is longing for.
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Process traumatic experiences safely
In our confidential space, you'll have room to work through difficult memories without judgment or pressure. This isn't about forgetting what happened—it's about taking back the power those experiences have held over you and finding your path to genuine healing.
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Restore work-life balance
You give so much of yourself in your work, and you deserve to come home and truly be home. We'll explore ways to decompress after challenging days and create healthy boundaries that protect your personal life from being overwhelmed by work-related stress and trauma.
FAQs about PTSD treatment
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PTSD typically develops after a single traumatic event, while complex PTSD (CPTSD) results from prolonged, repeated trauma, often experienced during childhood or in situations where escape isn't possible.
CPTSD includes the core symptoms of PTSD—flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance—but also involves difficulties with emotional regulation, negative self-concept, and interpersonal challenges.
For first responders and law enforcement, CPTSD may develop from cumulative exposure to traumatic events over time, creating layers of trauma that require specialized treatment approaches.
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I specialize in occupational trauma experienced by first responders, law enforcement officers, and their families. My clients often struggle with challenges like hypervigilance, emotional numbness, relationship difficulties, work-life balance issues, and other unique stressors that come with repeatedly witnessing or responding to traumatic situations. I also support family members who are affected by their loved one's trauma exposure.
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Trauma therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to both process difficult experiences and develop practical coping strategies that you can start using in your day-to-day life.
Through evidence-based approaches like Trauma-Focused CBT and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, we work together to reduce symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Therapy also helps you regain control over your emotional responses, improve sleep quality, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy ways to manage stress and triggers. My goal is to help you feel more present in your life, rebuild trust in yourself and others, and create sustainable strategies for long-term healing and resilience.
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My clinical framework is customized based on each client's unique needs, but it's always grounded in trauma-informed principles. I primarily use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, traditional CBT, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy—all evidence-based treatments proven effective for PTSD.
I believe in meeting you where you are, without forcing diagnoses or labels unless they feel helpful to you. Growing up as a police officer's daughter who witnessed the challenges that frontline workers face firsthand, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to our work together, creating a warm, empathetic environment where true healing can occur.
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Therapy begins with building safety and trust, ensuring you feel comfortable before diving into difficult material. We'll start by understanding your specific experiences, symptoms, and goals, then develop a personalized treatment plan.
Sessions are conducted online to ensure maximum confidentiality and convenience, and the pace is entirely yours—we never rush or push you beyond what feels manageable. You can expect to gradually develop new coping skills, process traumatic memories at your own speed, and experience gradual improvements in symptoms like sleep, anxiety, and relationship quality.
Progress isn't always linear, but it is possible, and I'll support you through every step of the journey.
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We might be a good fit if you're a first responder, law enforcement officer, or love someone who is. My specialized understanding of first responder culture and trauma, combined with evidence-based treatment approaches, makes me uniquely positioned to support your healing. If you value empathy, compassion, and working with someone who truly understands the weight of repeated trauma exposure, we may be an excellent match.
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Getting started is simple and completely confidential. Begin by booking a free consultation call where we can discuss your specific needs, answer any questions, and determine if we're a good fit for working together. During this call, you'll get a feel for my approach and can share as much or as little as feels comfortable.
If we decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first session and begin creating your personalized treatment plan. I'm licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, offering secure online therapy that prioritizes your privacy and convenience.