What is CPTSD?
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD, C-PTSD, Complex PTSD) describes the results of ongoing, inescapable, relational trauma. Unlike Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD typically involves being hurt by another person. These hurts are ongoing, repeated, and often involving a betrayal and loss of safety.
To further support trauma survivors, CPTSD Foundation is proud to partner with STAR Network™, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation committed to Support, Treatment, and Prevention of Narcissistic Abuse and Attachment Disorders.
Narcissistic abuse is one of the most devastating triggers for CPTSD, robbing survivors of their authenticity. STAR Network empowers STARs (Survivors of Toxic Abusive Relationships) with free and accessible meetings through its transformational program, TAR AnonⓇ.
Years serving Survivors & Practitioners
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CPTSD Foundation is a 100% non-profit organization providing support to survivors of complex trauma.
Available programs, all trauma-informed.
Current Programs
All of our programs are trauma-informed, which means each one is developed and facilitated through the lens of understanding what survivors need to help feel supported and encouraged as they navigate every day life. No invalidation, no judgment, no shame.
Daily Recovery Support
Daily trauma-Informed peer support in a validating and supportive group atmosphere, to supplement individual healing work.
Healing Book Club
Join us each week as we read through and discuss trauma-healing books and materials in a safe, group atmosphere.
Weekly Creative Group
Join us each week where you can express your creativity as you continue your healing journey.
Trauma-Informed Yoga
A weekly body-centered healing program focused on helping survivors engage with the present moment.
Peer Support Chat
Virtual support group where adult survivors come together in a validating and encouraging atmosphere.
Daily Encouraging Text
One text, once per day to help encourage you on your healing journey. Available in the US and Internationally.
All Programs
A full listing of all programs and memberships currently available, including free resources and classes.
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CALL FOR WRITERS
If you enjoy writing, we want to hear from you. We are always looking for guest writers for our blog!
Our writers include survivors, coaches, clinicians, authors, and thought leaders in the field of trauma recovery.
VOLUNTEER
Do you want to give back and help others using a skill set you have, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of trauma survivors?
Check out the current volunteer opportunities available!
DONATE
Make a small donation of any size right now! Or, make an even bigger impact by setting up a monthly recurring donation. Your thoughtfulness and kindness can make all the difference.
We appreciate you and thank you!
LATEST FROM OUR BLOG
For many trauma survivors, office holiday events can feel like navigating a complex maze of triggers, social expectations, and professional boundaries. Whether you’re dealing with PTSD, complex trauma, or healing from past experiences, know that your feelings about these events are valid, and you have the right to prioritize your well-being while maintaining your professional relationships. Understanding Your Needs (Without Judgment) The first step in navigating holiday events is understanding and validating our own responses. Many of us have internalized shame or self-criticism about our reactions to social situations, but these responses often serve an important protective function. Before diving into strategies, let’s pause for a moment to reframe how we think about our responses to holiday events. What others might label as “social anxiety” or dismiss as “being antisocial,” we can recognize as our body’s innate wisdom at work. Instead of viewing our hesitation as a weakness, we can understand it as our finely-tuned nervous system doing exactly what it learned to do — protect us. When we feel the urge to step back, take breaks, or limit our time at events, that’s not a flaw or failure — it’s our body drawing on past experiences to keep us safe. This protective response is completely normal and even adaptive for trauma survivors. Creating a Safety Plan for Holiday Events Just as a pilot doesn’t take off without a flight plan, we shouldn’t enter potentially challenging social situations without a...
Today, I know how to replace the arsenal of unhealthy crutches that once helped me blot out feelings Last spring, I was surprised by how gut-punched I felt, having decided to take an 18-day hiatus from therapy. Previous lapses in my therapy schedule barely registered on my radar, and if anything, carried mild relief. Although my therapist's announcement of her upcoming vacation didn’t catapult me into panic, it spawned a slight sense of impending doom. I wondered how I, being fiercely independent and stubborn, could possibly “mourn” a temporary reprieve from therapy. I concluded that I probably felt that way because therapy was working. Fortunately, therapy has taught me a broad range of healthy coping strategies to help me navigate my anxiety around this uneasy experience. Today, I know how to replace the arsenal of unhealthy crutches that once helped me blot out feelings. I had always buried myself in avoidant activities to get through challenging experiences--to feel as little as possible along the way. Thanks to therapy, however, I viewed “the vacation” as an opportunity to continue healing and growing. And while I sought to savor the time, I admit that I simultaneously dreaded it. To begin, I identified and discussed my concerns about the break with my therapist. If you’re experiencing anxiety around your therapist’s time off, I encourage you to talk to them about what you are feeling and thinking. It can be a great opportunity for...
Online harassment is often unprocessed grief and threat biology masquerading as malice. This trauma-informed analysis explains the patterns and the fixes that actually protect people.
Writer’s Note: This article discusses topics related to spiritual abuse. My purpose in sharing my story is not to single out any specific faith. While my negative experiences occurred within Christianity, it is important to recognize that religious abuse can happen in any belief system. “You shouldn’t have done that, Natalie. That’s hypocrisy. And hypocrisy is the yeast of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Pretty soon, the Christians will be separated into the sheep and the goats. You don’t want to be a goat, do you?” Another member of the congregation admonished me, referencing the parable of Matthew 25:31-46. I always knew I'd be a goat. I was never going to be good enough for God and make it into heaven. Spiritual abuse at the hands of my eternal "family" What “sin” had I committed? After years of suffering in silence, I finally stood up for myself against my church group leader, who made a habit of humiliating me in front of the congregation. I politely asked her to stop mistreating me, and that she and her superiors stop meddling in my private life, including their demands to oversee my medical decisions. I knew that any church member who pushed back against the leaders faced strict discipline, accompanied by Bible verses thrown in their face as a reprimand, but I was at wit’s end. The congregation had exerted control over my life--dictating who I could talk to, what...
A trauma-informed approach to sustainable professional development For trauma survivors navigating career development, the phrase “step outside your comfort zone” can feel overwhelming or even threatening. While growth requires stretching beyond familiar boundaries, there’s a crucial difference between gentle expansion and overwhelming our nervous system. Let’s explore how to nurture career growth while honoring our need for safety and regulation. Table of Contents Understanding Comfort Zones Signs of System Overwhelm The Power of Small Steps Strategic Growth Practices Building Sustainable Progress Next Steps Reflection Guide Why Expanding Your Comfort Zone Matters Balancing safety with professional development As professionals navigating the modern workplace, we often hear about the importance of pushing boundaries and taking risks. However, for trauma survivors, this conventional wisdom needs to be approached with nuance and care. This section explores why expanding our comfort zone matters while acknowledging the delicate balance between growth and personal safety. Our comfort zone represents the professional space where we feel secure, capable, and regulated. While this zone provides essential safety, staying exclusively within it can limit our career potential and prevent us from: Accessing new opportunities Developing leadership skills Building professional relationships Increasing our earning potential Contributing our unique gifts Achieving meaningful goals However, the key lies in expanding this zone gradually and sustainably rather than forcing ourselves into overwhelming situations. While understanding the importance of growth is crucial, it’s equally vital to recognize when this growth becomes detrimental. Let’s explore the...
Do You Pay Attention to Your Unconscious Mind? Did you know that your nighttime dreams can give you clues about your life? Do you ever wake up and think about what your dreams might mean? Sometimes it’s not what you think. Sometimes your mind is trying to get your attention and tell you something very important. Dreaming is our unconscious mind's way of processing everything that happens during our waking hours. Most people dream for about two hours every night. They can last between 5–20 minutes but most of them stay with us longer. Dreams can include images, ideas, emotions, and sensations from our conscious life. Everyone dreams at night, but we don’t always remember what they were when we wake up. As a trauma survivor, my dreams are often fragmented and horrifying. I know why they keep returning because it’s my brain trying to figure out my past. If I’ve had a bad day, it’s followed by a nightmare, and I deal with them in therapy. I don’t always have nightmares, and I have learnt to pay attention to my dreams — especially the good ones. I relish the mornings when I wake up with a warm glow in my body instead of feeling petrified with fear. Good dreams make for a nice transition into my day. This is the life of someone living with Complex PTSD. There is usually so much negativity to overcome even before I get...
TESTIMONIALS
See what others say about us. To ensure the privacy of our members, names are not displayed on testimonails.
“My FRAMILY is amazing. You all are amazing and inspiring. I truly love all everyone on the calls and thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me heal through this community.”
“”The healing book club has been such a blessing. It is very meaningful and I feel that I have established true, authentic connections. It’s comforting to have a designated space each week that’s safe, normalizing, educational, and secure. Thank you for this incredible resource!
“The calls have catapulted me forward in my recovery in multiple ways. I now have an anchor that is reliable, consistent, encouraging, educational, safe and soul-enriching. There are still tough days but I no longer get stuck in isolation for long periods of time.
“”The daily calls are helping me to take better care of myself and have boundaries. How to recognize safe people and unsafe people and receive encouragement and support that I do not get otherwise. They help me recognize I am not alone in my feelings and thoughts.
It’s so amazing having the book club, I find reading triggering a lot of the time but I follow along and get so much from the content anyway. Also, the community aspect is so lovely and Sabra has such a wonderful way about herself; gentle, compassionate, funny, modest, and humble. Sooooo bright and knowledgeable and easy to follow
“I love the encouraging daily texts, I get one right after lunch at work every day, and some days I really need it..:
“I’ve realized recently just how much my healing has benefited from being on these calls. My heart just swells thinking of all of you because I honestly cannot imagine a more loving, supportive group of people.”
“I love this group! I know I don’t talk much, but every time I’m here I find myself nodding in agreement and understanding all of the time, and quietly celebrating all of your victories.”
