Photo of Dawna L Gutzmann, Psychiatrist in 60077, IL
Dawna L Gutzmann
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Skokie, IL 60077
As a Northwestern University-trained psychiatrist having extensive training in holistic therapies, I offer an integrative approach to treatment. After a comprehensive assessment, an individualized treatment plan is formulated to resolve a wide variety of mental health challenges.
As a Northwestern University-trained psychiatrist having extensive training in holistic therapies, I offer an integrative approach to treatment. After a comprehensive assessment, an individualized treatment plan is formulated to resolve a wide variety of mental health challenges.
(224) 337-4541 View (224) 337-4541
Photo of Brad Pechter, Psychiatrist in 60077, IL
Brad Pechter
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Skokie, IL 60077
Bradley Pechter, MD is a psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has attended school at Stanford University, Northwestern Medical School, and the Universities of Illinois and Colorado. He has been board-certified in adult, child & adolescent and addiction psychiatry over the course of his career. Dr. Pechter has also been on the faculty at Northwestern, Rush and the University of Illinois. He has been in private practice for the past 10 years and has a special interest in Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry.
Bradley Pechter, MD is a psychiatrist with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has attended school at Stanford University, Northwestern Medical School, and the Universities of Illinois and Colorado. He has been board-certified in adult, child & adolescent and addiction psychiatry over the course of his career. Dr. Pechter has also been on the faculty at Northwestern, Rush and the University of Illinois. He has been in private practice for the past 10 years and has a special interest in Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry.
(312) 625-5179 x1302 View (312) 625-5179 x1302
Trauma and PTSD Psychiatrists

When should I seek treatment for trauma?

Not everyone who undergoes trauma needs therapy to heal, but many do. If, after experiencing a traumatic event, you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, dissociation, irritability, or emotional numbness—especially if these symptoms last more than a month and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning—you may benefit from seeking out therapy with a trauma-informed provider.

How long does trauma therapy take?

Different types of therapy for trauma unfold on different timelines. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, for example, each take about three months, while trauma-informed CBT may last anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. Other approaches, especially those that are less structured or that incorporate elements from multiple modalities, may be more open-ended, though many patients report feeling better within the first few months of treatment.

What happens if trauma is left untreated?

Unaddressed trauma can have serious—even devastating—effects on relationships, career, and day-to-day functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead people to distrust or lash out at others, making it difficult to maintain intimate relationships; it can also trigger symptoms such as flashbacks or hyperreactivity that can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively, personally and/or professionally. Some sufferers turn to drugs to find relief. Symptoms may lessen on their own with time, but there is no guarantee that PTSD will resolve on its own.

Can PTSD come back after treatment?

It is possible for PTSD symptoms to recur months or years after successful treatment. This is because, like most mental health disorders, it is not possible to “cure” PTSD, and stressful life events may cause symptoms to recur in even the most resilient individuals. There is no shame in re-experiencing PTSD symptoms nor in returning to therapy when such relapses occur; indeed, many forms of trauma therapy explicitly encourage periodic “maintenance sessions” to reinforce coping skills and ensure that symptoms stay manageable.