Trauma Care That Prioritizes Safety and Pace

Virtual and in-person treatment for PTSD, complicated grief, and chronic stress in Riverside and the Inland Empire

You may feel constantly on edge, notice that certain sounds or locations trigger intense fear, or struggle to sleep because nightmares or intrusive memories keep you awake. Trauma in Riverside often shows up as hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders, emotional numbing, irritability, or feeling unsafe even when danger is not present. Chronic stress can leave you exhausted, burned out, and unable to regulate your emotions the way you used to.

Mending Health Care provides virtual and in-person psychiatric care for trauma and stress-related concerns including PTSD, complicated grief, and chronic stress. Dr. Chioma Ahaiwe uses a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes nervous system safety, teaches coping skills first, and processes experiences at a pace that feels stable rather than forced. Treatment may include therapy support, medication for sleep disruption or anxiety, and grounding strategies that help you regain control over your body and mind. Sessions are delivered through secure video or in-person visits, so you do not need to leave your home in Riverside to access care.

If trauma or stress is affecting your relationships, sleep, or ability to function, contact Mending Health Care to schedule your first evaluation.

What trauma recovery looks like in practice

Your first session involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation that covers your trauma history, current symptoms, triggers, avoidance patterns, sleep quality, and how trauma is affecting your daily life. Dr. Ahaiwe will ask about flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and whether you feel disconnected from your body or surroundings. The evaluation takes about 60 to 90 minutes and results in a treatment plan designed to restore safety and stability first before deeper processing begins in Riverside.

After starting treatment, you will notice that your nervous system begins to calm, sleep improves, and you feel more grounded in the present rather than stuck in the past. Triggers may still occur, but you will have tools to manage them without feeling overwhelmed. Therapy may include body-based calming strategies such as slow breathing, stretching, or walking, along with cognitive techniques that help you reframe intrusive thoughts.

Trauma recovery is not linear, and Dr. Ahaiwe adjusts the pace based on your readiness and response. Medication may be used to address sleep disruption, anxiety, or mood symptoms that interfere with healing. You are not forced to revisit painful memories before you feel equipped to handle them. The goal is to help you feel safe in your body and confident in your ability to manage distress without shutting down or avoiding life.

Starting trauma treatment can feel vulnerable, and many people want to know what to expect before committing to care. Below are answers to questions that often come up before scheduling a first session.

It is okay to ask what comes next

PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, irritability, avoidance of reminders, emotional numbing, and feeling constantly on edge. Triggers can be sights, sounds, smells, dates, or situations that remind your brain of danger.
What are common signs of PTSD?
Complicated grief includes persistent longing, guilt, anger, numbness, or difficulty re-engaging with life long after a loss. It can interfere with relationships, work, and the ability to feel hope or connection.
How is complicated grief different from normal grief?
Trauma-informed care prioritizes safety, choice, and pace. You are not pushed to revisit painful memories before you feel ready, and treatment focuses on building coping skills and nervous system regulation first.
What does trauma-informed care mean?
You may learn grounding techniques, slow exhale-focused breathing, body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, walking routines, and strategies to reduce overstimulation. These tools help calm your body when it is stuck in survival mode.
What nervous system tools are taught during treatment?
Medication may be appropriate for sleep disruption, severe anxiety, mood symptoms, or trauma-related distress that interferes with daily functioning. Dr. Ahaiwe evaluates your symptoms and history to determine whether medication would support your recovery in Riverside.
When is medication used in trauma treatment?

If trauma or chronic stress has left you feeling unsafe in your own body or disconnected from the life you want to live, Mending Health Care offers confidential, non-judgmental virtual and in-person care. You do not need to carry this alone. Contact us to schedule your evaluation and begin your recovery in Riverside.