Trauma therapy in NYC for the past that still shows up today
A lot of people who search for trauma therapy in NYC are not sure they qualify, because nothing that happened to them seems big enough to deserve the word.
Trauma isn't only about one terrible event. It can be growing up in a house where you were always waiting for the next explosion, being hit and told it was discipline, never being allowed to cry, or carrying a family secret for years. It can be an assault, a sudden loss, a frightening migration or a workplace that slowly wore you down. If your body still reacts to the past as if it were happening now, that deserves care, whatever you choose to call it.
- LCSW
- CASAC-2
- Author of Stop Being Okay
- Urdu · Hindi · Punjabi
- In person in NYC
- Online across New York
How trauma shows up for the people Rubina sees
Composite examples, not real clients.
The trauma you don't call trauma
A woman grew up with a father whose moods decided everyone's day. Nobody was ever badly hurt, she says. But at forty she still freezes when her husband raises his voice, and she apologizes before anyone is upset with her.
The good kid from a strict home
A young man was slapped for bad grades, had his phone checked daily and was told love meant obedience. He became very successful and very guarded. He can't explain why closeness with a partner makes him want to run.
After it happened
A professional was assaulted years ago and never told anyone. She functions well, but certain places, smells and situations send her into panic. She has started avoiding more and more of her life.
How Rubina works with trauma
Safety comes first. Rubina will not push you to tell your story before you are ready, and you stay in charge of what is discussed and how fast. Early sessions focus on understanding how your nervous system learned to protect you, and on building grounding skills so that difficult memories feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
When you are ready, she draws on trauma-focused approaches such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and accelerated resolution therapy (ART) to help the memories lose their grip. DBT skills help with the intense emotions that often come with trauma, and self-compassion work addresses the shame many survivors carry.
Trauma also lives in the body. Rubina pays attention to sleep, tension, startle responses and the moments when you go blank or feel far away, because those are signs of a nervous system that is still protecting you. Learning to notice them, without judging yourself, is often the first real relief.
For clients from strict or traditional homes, Rubina holds two things at once: your parents may have loved you and believed they were doing right, and what happened still hurt you. You don't have to choose between understanding them and acknowledging your pain. This is especially familiar territory for children of immigrants.
What can change over 8 to 12 sessions
Trauma work often takes longer than a few months, and progress isn't a straight line. Within the first stretch of work, clients commonly notice:
- You recognize your triggers and have ways to bring yourself back to the present
- Your body spends less time on high alert
- You blame yourself less for what was done to you
- Flashbacks, nightmares or sudden panic happen less intensely
- You can feel close to people without bracing for harm
- You see how the past connects to present struggles like anxiety or people-pleasing
If you are in danger right now, call 911. For immediate emotional support, call or text 988.
What sessions look like
Sessions are 50 minutes. Rubina meets clients in person in New York City and online across New York State. Some trauma survivors feel safer starting from their own home; others prefer being in a separate room. Either is fine, and you can switch between them as the work changes.
You can speak in English, Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi, and you never have to share details you aren't ready to share. Rates are on the fees page.
Rubina K. Singh, LCSW, CASAC-2
Rubina has spent more than fifteen years in mental health. She holds a BSW from Rutgers, an MSW from Capella and is completing her doctorate in social work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, a CASAC Level 2 addiction counselor, and the author of Stop Being Okay. She grew up between cultures, and she speaks English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
Questions people ask
Do I have to talk about the details of what happened?
Not unless and until you want to. Much of trauma therapy can happen without retelling every detail. You decide what is shared and when.
My childhood wasn't that bad. Is trauma therapy for me?
If the past still affects how you feel, react or relate to people, therapy can help — whether or not you call it trauma. Many clients start by saying exactly this.
What is accelerated resolution therapy?
Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a structured, eye-movement-based approach designed to reduce the emotional charge of distressing memories. Rubina will explain it fully and only use it if it suits you.
Will talking about my parents make me disloyal?
No. Therapy isn't about blaming your family. It is about understanding what happened to you so it stops running your life. Many clients feel more compassion for their parents once they have processed their own hurt.
Can trauma therapy be done online?
Yes. Rubina offers trauma therapy over secure video anywhere in New York State, with grounding plans in place for after each session.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026 by Rubina K. Singh, LCSW
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