Trauma Counseling Services for Adults in Idaho

Written Exposure Therapy (WET)

A brief writing protocol proven to reduce PTSD symptoms quickly, at your own pace — empowering and evidence-based.

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

A structured, time-limited approach to safely process traumatic memories and rebuild a coherent life story — gentle and effective for PTSD.

• Trauma (PTSD & C-PTSD)

• Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

• Emotional Abuse & Gaslighting

• Religious Trauma / Spiritual Abuse

• Chronic Guilt & Shame

• Boundaries & Codependency

• Relationship Trauma

• Anxiety & Overwhelm

• Identity & Self-Worth Restoration

• Grief & Attachment Wounds

The 5-NET Method: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trauma Processing

Overview: What is 5-NET?

5-NET is a gentle, evidence-based trauma therapy for adults with PTSD or complex trauma from prolonged/repeated experiences (abuse, neglect, chaos). It rewires the brain to file memories as “past” — reducing flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance often after the first session. No prolonged exposure; you stay in control.

Prep: 2 sessions for safety. Total: 8–12 sessions, weekly or bi-weekly. Results last for life (backed by WHO, VA, and research).

Important Note About Safety:

5-NET is a powerful trauma-processing method that must be conducted only with a trained, licensed therapist in a safe therapeutic relationship. Never attempt these steps on your own, with a friend, or with an untrained professional — doing so can risk re-traumatization. When guided gently by a skilled counselor, 5-NET is one of the safest and most effective ways to heal long-held trauma.

Step-by-Step: How 5-NET Works

We start with 2 prep sessions to learn self-regulation and map your MASTER timeline. Then, we process one trauma (or cluster) per main session using writing, drawing, and verbal sharing — recursively until it’s integrated.

1. Timeline (Prep Step 1 — Mapping Your Story)

We create a simple visual timeline of your life (or a list). You mark positive events and traumas. This gives an overview without diving deep yet.

Goal: See the full arc of your story safely.

Time: 10 minutes (Master Timeline already created previously).

Outcome: A “big picture” that feels organized, not overwhelming.

2. Written Narrative (Step 2 — Private Processing)

You write the details of one traumatic memory in your own words (10–15 min, guided by your timeline). No sharing yet — it’s yours to process privately. I time it and check in gently via camera (no staring, just support).

Goal: Get the memory on paper to start “externalizing” it from your brain.

Outcome: Relief from holding it inside; the brain begins to reframe.

3. Pictorial Narrative (Step 3 — Visual Integration)

You draw or sketch the memory (simple line art — no artistic skill needed; stick figures OK). Focus on key symbols, emotions, or body sensations.

Goal: Bypass words for a non-verbal layer, helping the brain integrate through imagery.

Time: 10 min drawing.

Outcome: Memories feel less “stuck” — visual processing reduces intrusive images.

4. Verbal Narrative (Step 4 — Sharing & Recursion)

You share the written/pictorial narrative out loud — once, in detail, sharing your pictorial narrative with me as you tell me the story of what happened (I hang on your every word as you transport me with you back in time).

Goal: Verbalize to consolidate the memory as a “past event.”

Time: 10 min sharing.

Outcome: Flashbacks fade; emotional charge drops significantly.

5. Recursive Narrative (Step 5 — Closure & Integration)

Then you look at your drawing while I retell the traumatic story to you as if it happened to someone else (no re-traumatizing). End with a debriefing on what it was like to hear the story from that perspective. If we have time, I like to incorporate some Gestalt Therapy techniques (Adapted Empty Chair) to obtain healing in any areas where there may be unfinished business in your story.

Goal: Full integration — brain begins to literally rewire for long-term benefits.

Time: 10 min per session.

Outcome: Lifelong symptom reduction (e.g., no more hypervigilance); many report “closure” after this treatment.

Why 5-NET is Amazing

• Fast & Gentle: Symptom relief often after session 1 — no emotional flooding; you stay grounded.

• Virtual-Ready: Drawing/writing works beautifully online; no in-person props.

• Prep Light: 2 sessions max to build safety and other skills before trying this method.

• Flexible: 6–12 sessions total to treat entire life, weekly/bi-weekly — fits your life.

• Proven: Developed by Dr. Eric Gentry (your 2018 training with Dr. Rhoton); backed by research (doi:10.1002/jcad.12142) and VA/WHO for complex PTSD.

• Your Fit: Ideal for “too many traumas” or “I can’t remember everything,” “I only have vague flashes,” “I only have one or two traumas,” etc. — rewires even decades-old wounds.

NET is my favorite because it honors your story without forcing it — quiet power for lasting peace.

Ready to explore if 5-NET fits you? Let's chat. 💛

Written Exposure Therapy (WET) – Fast, Private, Life-Changing

WET is a short, powerful, evidence-based treatment for PTSD — just 5 sessions total per trauma.

No homework. No pressure to talk. No need to share what you write.

And it works as well as years of traditional therapy.

How it works (super simple & virtual-friendly)

In each 50-minute session:

- I give you one gentle writing prompt about the memory that still bothers you most.

- You write privately for 30 minutes straight (whatever comes up — no editing).

- We spend the last 10–15 minutes gently talking about how it felt to write (feelings, body sensations, new insights).

That’s it.

By session 5, most people see a huge drop in flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and that constant “on-edge” feeling.

Key facts that make clients breathe easier

- Only 5 sessions per trauma (start as early as session 1)

- No preparation needed

- Weekly or bi-weekly — whatever pace feels safe for you

- You write privately on camera; I time it and stay gently present (no staring)

- You are never required to share or upload your writing — it stays 100 % yours

(If you ever choose to share later for feedback, you can upload to the portal at your own pace. Most clients keep it private — and the healing still happens.)

- Proven to reduce PTSD symptoms by 60–80 % on average

- Endorsed by the VA, APA, and WHO as a first-line PTSD treatment

Perfect for adults who say

“I don’t want to talk about it for months.”

“I just want the nightmares to stop.”

“I love to write.”

“I’ve tried everything else and nothing touched this.”

WET is quiet, private, and surprisingly gentle — and it works fast.

Ready to see if WET for yourself?

Let’s chat. 💛