Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in New Orleans, LA

Therapy is personal, and I believe it should feel that way. With nearly nine years of experience, I've learned that meaningful change happens when clients feel comfortable enough to let their guard down and simply be themselves. My sessions are conversational, genuine, and often include humor when it's helpful, so clients frequently leave feeling like they've had a real conversation instead of a formal counseling session while also gaining practical, evidence-based strategies they can apply in everyday life. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with other evidence-based approaches, to help clients create lasting change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, adolescents, young adults, and families through challenging life experiences. I understand that opening up to someone you’ve never met can feel intimidating, and my goal is to create a calm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel safe sharing your story. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, complex trauma, relationship struggles, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions that can leave people feeling stuck or uncertain about how to move forward.

My experience includes working in private practice and community-based settings with adolescents and young adults who may be at risk or navigating difficult family dynamics, identity development, stress, and trauma-related challenges. I have also trained in play therapy and incorporate developmentally appropriate techniques when working with younger clients. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from the Tulane University School of Social Work and strongly believe the therapeutic relationship is the most important part of meaningful change. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, and walking my little black dog, Buddy!

Core Values are one of the foundational components of the work I do. Exploring where core values come from, how thoughts interact with core values, and when adjustments to those core values are being considered can help us land in the current moment with a bit more clarity/compassion.

With over 30 years of experience partnering with clients from all walks of life, I have learned one fundamental truth: the power to heal, grow, and transform already lives within you. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), my goal is to help you tap into that potential. I don't believe therapy is something done to you it is a collaborative journey we take together. If you are ready to actively participate in your own growth, I am here to provide the expertise, tools, and unwavering support to help you succeed.

If you have been feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed by relationship or family conflict, or weighed down by grief, loss, or intimacy concerns, you do not have to carry it alone. For 35 years, I have helped people navigate these challenges, including military families facing active duty and retirement transitions. I also bring a strong sense of fairness that helps me connect with clients making sense of hurt and confusion.

I've spent years meeting people where they are — literally going out into communities across Louisiana to provide psychiatric care. Now I'm channeling that same commitment into a private telehealth practice, where you can get the support you need from home. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, or PTSD, I offer a flexible, welcoming space for real, lasting progress. Evenings and weekends work for me — I built my schedule around people who can't step away from their day to get the help they deserve.

You might be feeling exhausted from holding everything together, anxious about the future, or stuck in patterns that no longer fit who you are. I work primarily with women and couples navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, and trauma that can be hard to put into words. Many of my clients are new to therapy or haven’t always felt culturally safe or understood in past spaces. With me, you don’t have to shrink yourself or explain your whole identity just to be believed. Together, we’ll work toward you feeling more grounded, more confident, and more like yourself again.

Starting therapy can be a big step, and you don’t have to do it alone. I believe everyone deserves a supportive space to be themselves and work through life’s challenges.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience helping adolescents, adults, and older adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief, life transitions, family conflict, serious mental illness, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. I’ve supported people facing both everyday stress and more complex mental health concerns.

Therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about gaining insight, building resilience, and creating meaningful change at a pace that feels right. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply need extra support, I’m here to help.

Life can feel overwhelming when challenges begin piling up faster than you can manage them. Whether you're struggling with substance use, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or the stress of trying to keep everything together, therapy can provide a space to slow down, gain perspective, and move forward with greater confidence. I work with adolescents, adults, seniors, and couples who are feeling stuck, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to create lasting change. Many of my clients come to therapy after trying to solve everything on their own, only to find themselves repeating the same patterns. My goal is to provide a supportive environment where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes. Together, we'll identify your strengths, clarify your goals, and build practical tools that help you create a healthier and more fulfilling life.

I’m Velia R. Bradley, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Louisiana with over 10 years of experience supporting people through emotional and psychological challenges. I earned my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and am currently pursuing a doctorate focused on Counseling Education, Supervision, Trauma, and Crisis Interventions. My approach is holistic and client-centered, with care for the mind, body, soul, and spirit. I meet you where you are and work alongside you at your pace, with honesty, warmth, and respect.

With over thirteen years of experience in the field, I bring a depth of knowledge and a steady, grounded presence to every session. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and one of only eight Certified DBT Specialists (C-DBT) in the state of Louisiana. I received my DBT training at a VA hospital, where I had the privilege of working closely with veterans and developing a strong foundation in trauma-informed care.

Throughout my career, I have worked across all levels of care, from crisis settings to outpatient therapy, and that range has made me a confident, compassionate guide for clients navigating emotionally intense situations. I am also a Certified Trauma Specialist, and my work spans adolescents, adults, couples, and families facing challenges like trauma and PTSD, borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, addiction, self-harm, and eating disorders. I believe deeply that recovery is possible and that renewed hope is always within reach.