Trauma Therapy in Wilmington, NC - You Deserve to Feel Safe Again
Licensed, trauma-informed therapists serving Wilmington and the Cape Fear coast - offering compassionate care for PTSD, childhood trauma, complex trauma, and abuse recovery. You set the pace. In-person and telehealth available.
Request an Appointment
Free 15-min consultation - no commitment needed.
Healing That Moves at Your Pace
Trauma can cast a long shadow - long after the event itself has passed. At Fresh Breath Therapy, we know that reaching out takes real courage. Whether you're living with flashbacks, feeling constantly on edge, struggling to trust, or carrying wounds from childhood that still shape your life today, what happened to you was not your fault, and healing is possible.
Trauma therapy at our Wilmington office is gentle, trauma-informed, and never rushed. You will never be pressured to share more than you're ready to. We start by building safety and trust, and you decide when - and whether - to go deeper. You set the pace, always.
We serve adults, teens, and students across the Cape Fear coast - UNCW students, Leland and Hampstead families, and clients throughout New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties. Our licensed clinicians believe you are the expert on your own life; we're here to walk alongside you as you reclaim your sense of safety, self-worth, and connection.
Begin Your Healing Journey →
Trauma We Help Wilmington Residents Heal From
Trauma takes many forms - and no experience is "too small" to deserve care. If something still hurts, it matters, and support is here.
PTSD & Flashbacks
Intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance after overwhelming experiences - we help your mind and body learn that the danger has passed.
Childhood Trauma & Neglect
Wounds from growing up with abuse, neglect, or emotional unavailability - patterns that can quietly shape your relationships, self-worth, and sense of safety as an adult.
Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
The layered impact of repeated or prolonged trauma - emotional dysregulation, deep shame, and relationship difficulties that deserve patient, specialized care.
Sexual Assault & Abuse Recovery
Compassionate, survivor-centered support for healing after sexual violence - at whatever pace and depth feels safe for you.
Domestic Violence & Coercive Control
Recovering from intimate partner abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, and relationships that eroded your confidence - rebuilding trust in yourself and others.
Accident, Medical & Storm Trauma
Car accidents, injuries, frightening diagnoses, hospital stays, and hurricane or evacuation experiences that left you shaken or unable to feel safe in your body.
Grief & Traumatic Loss
Sudden or violent loss of a loved one, complicated grief, and losses that feel impossible to move through alone - gentle support for mourning and meaning-making.
Trauma in Teens & Students
Age-appropriate, trauma-informed support for teens and UNCW students navigating assault, bullying, loss, family disruption, or frightening experiences.
Trauma, Anxiety & Substance Use
When trauma shows up as anxiety, depression, numbness, or drinking and using to cope - we address the underlying wound alongside the behaviour, not just the symptom.
Gentle, Evidence-Based Ways to Heal
There is no single "right" way to heal from trauma. We draw on multiple approaches and adapt to what feels safe and effective for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Gently identify and reframe the painful beliefs trauma leaves behind - "it was my fault," "I'm not safe" - one of the most well-researched therapies in the world, and central to how Lisa and Shelby work.
Mindfulness & Grounding
Learn to anchor yourself in the present moment, calm your nervous system, and build a gentler, more compassionate relationship with your own mind and body.
Trauma & Substance Use Together
Trauma and drinking or using often travel together. With Cay Fulop, LCSW, LCAS on our Wilmington team, we can address addiction and co-occurring trauma side by side rather than separately.
Coping & Regulation Skills
Practical tools for managing overwhelming emotions, tolerating distress, and staying grounded when trauma responses feel bigger than you.
Trauma-Informed Care Throughout
Every session rests on safety, trustworthiness, choice, and cultural sensitivity - the core principles of trauma-informed practice, applied from your very first call.
EMDR Available In-Practice
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing is available through our wider practice, including via telehealth - ask us if EMDR might be a fit for your healing.
Your First Session: Safety Comes First
Why Wilmington Trusts Us With Trauma Healing
Trauma-Informed Practice
Safety, choice, and collaboration are built into every session. We understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and we never push faster than you're ready to go.
Licensed Clinicians Only
Every therapist at Fresh Breath Therapy is licensed and supervised - committed to the highest standards of ethical, compassionate mental health care.
Insurance & Self-Pay
We accept major insurance plans including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health. Call us to verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
No Long Waitlists
Mental health can't wait. We work hard to offer rapid access - often same-week or within a few days of your first inquiry.
Inclusive & Affirming
LGBTQ+-affirming, culturally competent, and welcoming of all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life - including neurodivergent clients. You belong here.
Telehealth Statewide
Not near our Cinema Drive office? Connect from anywhere in North Carolina via our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
Serving Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead & the Cape Fear Coast
Our Wilmington therapy office is located at 140 Cinema Drive, Unit E - easily accessible from across Wilmington and nearby communities including Leland, Hampstead, Carolina Beach, and Brunswick and Pender Counties. Telehealth available statewide.
In Wilmington you'll work with Catherine (Cay) Fulop, LCSW, LCAS, whose work spans trauma, addiction, and co-occurring disorders; Lisa McCormick, LCMHC, who helps kids, teens, and adults with worry, fear, and trauma using CBT and mindfulness; Shelby Paske, LCMHCA, supporting adolescents and adults with anxiety, depression, and neurodiversity; Kailyn Mattingly, LCSWA, who creates a warm space for anxiety and personal growth; and Jenna McGinnis, LCSWA, a trauma-informed therapist using TF-CBT, IFS, and ACT with children, teens, families, and young adults.
Each therapist is licensed, supervised, and committed to the highest standards of ethical, compassionate care. Sessions are available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM.
Book Your Appointment →Meet the Wilmington Team
Our five licensed clinicians in Wilmington bring clinical expertise, warmth, and genuine investment in your healing journey to clients across the Cape Fear region.
Catherine (Cay) Fulop
Experienced addiction specialist providing comprehensive support for trauma, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and recovery.
Lisa McCormick
Client-centered counselor helping kids, adolescents, teens, and adults navigate worry, fear, trauma, and life challenges with CBT, mindfulness, and coping strategies.
Shelby Paske
Compassionate counselor creating a supportive space for adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, life transitions, and interpersonal challenges.
Jenna McGinnis
Trauma-informed therapist using TF-CBT, IFS, and ACT with children, teens, families, and young adults healing from trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Kailyn Mattingly
Compassionate therapist creating warm, welcoming environments for anxiety, depression, and personal growth.
Serving These Needs Across Wilmington & the Cape Fear Region
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma right away?+
No. You will never be pressured to share details before you're ready - and some people never describe their trauma in depth at all. Early sessions focus on safety, trust, and grounding. You decide what to share, when, and how much. You are in control of your own healing, always.
What types of trauma do your Wilmington therapists work with?+
Our Wilmington clinicians work with PTSD, complex trauma (C-PTSD), childhood abuse and neglect, sexual trauma, domestic violence, relational trauma, accident and medical trauma, grief-related trauma, and trauma alongside substance use. We see teens, students, and adults - book a free consultation and we'll talk through your situation.
How long does healing from trauma take?+
Honestly - it varies, and anyone promising a fixed timeline isn't being straight with you. Some people notice meaningful relief within a few months; healing from complex or long-term trauma often takes longer. What matters is steady progress at a pace your nervous system can handle. Your therapist will check in regularly so you always know how things are going.
Do you serve Leland, Brunswick County, and Hampstead?+
Yes. Our Wilmington office on Cinema Drive serves clients from throughout the Cape Fear region, including Leland, Brunswick County, Hampstead, Carolina Beach, and Pender County. Telehealth is also available anywhere in North Carolina if that's easier than the drive.
What insurance do you accept for trauma therapy in Wilmington?+
We accept major insurance plans including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health, and self-pay rates are available. Coverage varies by plan, so please call us at (919) 300-6717 to verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
Can I do trauma therapy from home via telehealth?+
Yes! Our telehealth service is available to anyone in North Carolina. Sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. All you need is a private space, a smartphone or computer, and a reliable internet connection. Many clients find doing trauma work from their own safe space especially comfortable.
You Survived. Now It's Time to Heal.
What happened to you was not your fault - and you don't have to carry it alone anymore. Our Wilmington team is ready when you are. Start with a free 15-minute consultation, no commitment required.