Trauma Informed Therapist Reid Cilley Helps Clients Heal and Grow
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Meet Reid Cilley, MFT: A Trauma Informed Therapist Centered on You
When you’re searching for a trauma informed therapist, you deserve someone who listens without judgment and adapts to your individual pace. At Council for Relationships, Marriage and Family Therapist Reid Cilley (he/they) brings compassion, curiosity, and professionalism to their work with individuals, couples, teens, and families. They specialize in helping clients process trauma, build identity, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Reid describes their style as thoughtful, mindful, and curious. “Every person has their own distinctive qualities,” Reid says, “so it is important for me to take the time to learn about how their world has been shaped by their experiences.”
Reid’s clinical training and personal mission center on creating visibility and support for LGBTQ+ clients and others who have experienced trauma. They use an eclectic, evidence based trauma therapy approach and adjust their style based on each client’s unique needs and level of readiness.
Whether you’re navigating a traumatic experience, post traumatic stress disorder, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding, Reid offers a therapeutic relationship grounded in safety, choice, and healing.
How to find a trauma informed therapist?
Finding the right trauma informed therapist starts with identifying what matters to you: safety, identity-affirming care, and specialized training. It’s also about building trust over time.
Know what qualifications to look for.
A trauma informed therapist has training in how trauma impacts the mind, body, and nervous system. Reid holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. They completed a clinical internship at Council for Relationships, where they now offer therapy both in person and virtually.
Reid brings expertise in trauma, identity development, and emotional processing—areas that are often overlooked in traditional therapy.
Focus on emotional safety and pace.
“A first session with me centers around creating a safe and comfortable space where clients can share at a pace that feels natural to them,” Reid says. Clients often explore how trauma has shaped their relationships, thought patterns, and emotional regulation.
That level of sensitivity is vital when working through symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, or distressing memories that resurface over time. You want someone who knows how to guide without pushing too fast.
What does it mean to be a trauma informed therapist?
A trauma informed therapist integrates an understanding of trauma’s effects into every aspect of therapy. Rather than focus only on symptoms or labels, they help clients make sense of past experiences and rebuild a sense of safety and control.
Reid views trauma informed therapy as a collaborative process. “Therapy serves as an opportunity to gain more self-knowledge, find inner healing, and develop both old and new skills,” they share.
Trauma can cause people to struggle with negative thoughts, shame, self-blame, or emotional disconnection. Being trauma informed means addressing these responses with empathy while empowering clients to develop healthier tools.
At its core, trauma informed therapy includes:
- Prioritizing trust, safety, and choice
- Understanding how trauma shapes behavior and belief systems
- Building awareness of triggers and body responses
- Co-creating realistic, achievable treatment goals for trauma
Whether clients are processing one traumatic experience or a lifetime of unresolved emotional pain, Reid guides them with patience and respect.
Why do I need a trauma informed therapist?
If past experiences still affect your daily life—whether in relationships, self-esteem, or stress responses—a trauma informed therapist can help you create meaningful change.
Understand what trauma can look like.
Trauma doesn’t always come from a single dramatic event. It can result from a wide range of experiences—including ongoing emotional neglect, identity-based discrimination, or repeated exposure to stress. According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event that may cause long-term symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, or emotional numbness.
Trauma can affect your mood, relationships, memory, and sense of self. For some, it leads to symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, including unwanted memories, physical tension, and avoidance of triggering situations. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that people with PTSD often experience negative thoughts, distorted beliefs about themselves or others, and strong emotional reactions to reminders of the traumatic experience.
Whether trauma stems from a single incident or years of emotional harm, its effects are real—and valid. A trauma informed therapist like Reid Cilley can help you recognize how trauma has shaped your present and guide you in healing from it with clarity, respect, and care.
Discover why empathy matters.
Reid offers clients a sense of control from the very beginning. “I hope to help clients achieve their goals by utilizing an eclectic approach that considers their level of ability and readiness to approach the work,” they explain. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a co-created process grounded in respect for the client’s needs and strengths.
Why seek a trauma informed therapist?
Because healing from trauma takes more than time—it takes the right support.
A trauma informed therapist brings not just clinical expertise, but the emotional attunement to walk beside you. Reid’s approach recognizes that trauma can leave deep wounds, but those wounds can be healed with care, consistency, and the right tools.
“I offer a perspective that can challenge clients in a slow and appropriate way to aid in the pursuit of their identified growth areas,” Reid says.
Clients who work with Reid often explore:
- Reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or panic
- Rebuilding trust in relationships
- Healing internalized shame or identity-related pain
- Setting clear boundaries and practicing self-compassion
- Defining treatment goals for trauma they want to work toward
- Using evidence based trauma therapy to manage overwhelming emotions
Trauma doesn’t have to define you. Therapy can help you understand what happened, what it means to you now, and how to move forward with intention.
Therapy and Psychiatry at Council for Relationships
If you’re searching for a trauma informed therapist near me—or want someone who understands your story—Council for Relationships is here to help. With more than 80 therapists and psychiatrists across 8 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the option to meet online, CFR can match you with a provider who fits your goals.
Our therapist-matching team takes the guesswork out of getting started. Whether you connect with Reid’s approach or want help exploring your options, we’re ready to guide you toward care that works.
Your healing journey deserves expert support. Let’s begin.
More from CFR
Looking for more resources on trauma, relationships, and healing? Check out our blog, where CFR therapists share insights, tips, and tools for mental wellness.
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