Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people after experiencing a traumatic event. It’s normal to feel fear during or after a traumatic event – that is part of our body’s nervous system response that helps us respond to danger. Most people recover from the fear and immediate symptoms without treatment within a few weeks. For people who continue to have distressing, interfering symptoms over time, they might be experiencing PTSD.

Traumatic experiences can include single events, such as an assault, rape, tragic accident, natural disaster, or sudden death of a loved one. 

Others experience repeated traumatic events, such as childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, repeated combat exposure, and repeated occupational exposure to death/serious injuries (ex: First Responders).

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. According to the National Center for PTSD (www.ptsd.gov), about 6 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives (approximately 6% of the population). 

Research shows that women are more likely to develop PTSD than men.  Not only are there biological and personal factors that can impact if a person gets PTSD, but what happens after the trauma experience is important as well. 

Research shows that severe stress during/after an event can make PTSD more likely, whereas having positive social support can help buffer against traumatic stress.

Usually, PTSD symptoms start right after experiencing a traumatic event. They may come and go throughout life and may re-occur in response to new stressors if not appropriately treated. 

If the symptoms cause you great distress and interfere with your work and home life for more than 4 weeks, you might have PTSD. There are 4 types of PTSD symptoms [Adapted from ptsd.gov]:

1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms). Intrusive, distressing memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. They can feel as real as when the event originally happened and scary. 
2. Avoiding things that remind you of the event. You may try to avoid situations or people remind you of the trauma event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. 
3. Having more negative thoughts and feelings than before the event. The way you think about yourself and others may become more negative because of the trauma. 
4. Feeling on edge or keyed up (also called hyperarousal). You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. You might suddenly become angry or irritable. These symptoms can impact sleep.

YES! One of the biggest myths surrounding PTSD is that you will be permanently “broken” or “damaged.” 

Research studies indicate that up to 80% of adults with PTSD can recover if they receive appropriate treatment. Even better, most people experience continued recovery from PTSD long-term after treatment.  

People often ask what “getting better” looks like. For many people, these treatments can get rid of symptoms altogether. Others find they have fewer symptoms or feel that their symptoms are less intense. Our goal is getting you to a point where symptoms don’t have to interfere with your everyday activities and relationships. Recovery also typically results in greater resilience for dealing with future stressors.

Dr. Kremer has extensive training in assessment and diagnosis of PTSD. Your journey in the TTP begins with an in-depth intake evaluation to confirm diagnosis, help you clinician better understand how PTSD is affecting your life, and to begin crafting an individual treatment plan just for you. Your first appointment is 60-minutes and includes an interview and assessment measures sent out prior to the appointment.

Depending on the complexity of your case, Dr. Kremer may require a second intake evaluation appointment for more in-depth assessment before presenting a treatment plan.

We also track your progress throughout treatment through periodic assessment of symptoms. We do this to ensure that we are on the right track to help you recover.  This helps you see the positive changes and play a more active role in your treatment planning and direction! 

PTSD is a treatable mental health condition. There are three treatments for PTSD that are “evidence-based,” meaning they are shown by research as effective to treat PTSD. 

Dr. Kremer is trained in these evidence-based treatments:  

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) where you learn skills to understand how trauma changed your thoughts and feelings. Changing how you think about the trauma can change how you feel. 

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which involves focusing on sounds or hand movements while you talk about the trauma. This helps your brain work through the traumatic memories. 
• Prolonged Exposure (PE) where you talk about your trauma repeatedly until memories are no longer upsetting. This will help you get more control over your thoughts and feelings about the trauma. You also go to places or do things that are safe, but that you have been staying away from because they remind you of the trauma. 

Our TTP program provides time-limited, evidence-based treatments that are focused on obtaining lasting symptom relief as quickly as possible. Most people see success in 10-16 sessions. PTSD treatment is appropriate for people who want change and recovery in their lives.  

No. Our TTP program provides time-limited, evidence-based treatments that are focused on obtaining lasting symptom relief as quickly as possible. Most people see success in 10-16 sessions. 

If you require long-term psychotherapy lasting more than 6 months, we are likely going to recommend another clinic. 

Absolutely! Dr. Ryan Ernst is a board-certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and Prescribing Psychologist who provides telehealth medication management services to TTP patients. He is currently a professor of psychopharmacology and Director of Training at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Medications often include targeting any co-occurring depression, severe anxiety, and nightmares. These medications can increase the effectiveness of therapy when PTSD symptoms are particularly severe and often times can be reduced once symptoms begin to reduce after an initial series of therapy sessions.

Yes! Due to licensing laws, you must be physically located in the State of Idaho at the time of your appointments to participate.

When you schedule your intake appointment with Dr. Kremer using the “Schedule an Evaluation” button above, you will given the choice whether to schedule an in-person evaluation or VIDEO evaluation. Our telehealth service uses Zoom, which is HIPAA compliant and secure. 

The initial 60-minute evaluation is $375. Depending on the complexity of your case, two intake evaluation appointments may be required.

Follow-up appointments (50-minutes each) are $225. 

If needed, medication management appointments are an additional fee.

Our services are private-pay; however, depending on your insurance benefits, you might be eligible to use your out-of-network benefits. 

We can provide you a SuperBill to submit to your insurance company on request. 

*Note: Medicare does NOT allow for any out-of-network reimbursement. 

We do not currently have a sliding fee scale available.