Finding a therapist
Best Trauma Therapists in San Antonio (2026)
Therapists in San Antonio whose practices are built around trauma, what each one says it offers, and how to tell a trauma specialist from a generalist.
Disclosure: this guide is published by The Denning Center, and Jim Denning, MA, LPC, is listed first because it is his practice's website. That placement is not a claim that he is more skilled or more effective than anyone else here. The other practices were chosen using the criteria below; none of them paid to be included, and none reviewed this page.
Almost every therapist lists "trauma" somewhere. That is the problem with searching for one. What separates a trauma-focused practice is that it names a specific trauma therapy and can explain how it works. The treatments with the strongest research support for PTSD are cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) and trauma-focused CBT. EMDR is also recommended in major guidelines. Newer approaches, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), have a smaller but growing evidence base.
Somatic approaches such as Somatic Experiencing are widely used and many people value them, but they have less research behind them. Knowing this helps you ask better questions. It does not mean a newer approach is wrong for you.
1. The Denning Center — Jim Denning, MA, LPC
Tesoro Drive, North Central San Antonio · in person and telehealth across Texas
Our practice
Trauma is the core of Jim's practice. He works with people carrying something that happened to them, recently or decades ago, that still shapes how they sleep, react and relate. He is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR, and uses cognitive approaches. He offers Christian counseling for clients who ask for it.
- Has used ART with veterans through the Lone Survivor Foundation.
- His ART vs EMDR article compares the two methods, including where the evidence is thinner.
- In network with Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, BCBS of Texas, TRICARE, Humana Military and TriWest; private pay is $130 a session.
2. Dr. Amy Kemter, LCSW, DSW
West Mistletoe Avenue, Monte Vista area · in person and telehealth
Kemter's trauma therapy page lists EMDR and covers both single-incident trauma, such as combat or accidents, and repeated relational abuse. The site describes the practice as LGBTQ+ friendly.
- Out of network with insurers; the practice provides documentation so you can claim reimbursement.
3. MW Psychotherapy — Mikah Watford
Wurzbach Road, Northwest San Antonio · in person and telehealth
A practice that presents itself as trauma-specialized. Its site lists PTSD treatment including EMDR and Somatic Experiencing.
4. The Listening Body Counseling Services — Lalo Rivera, LPC
Mimosa Drive, North Central San Antonio · in person and telehealth
A somatic trauma practice. Rivera is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and the practice lists EMDR, sandtray and trauma therapy intensives, with pages on car-accident and workplace trauma.
- Private pay, not on insurance panels. Fees are published on the site.
5. Breath of Hope Professional Counseling — Kimberlee Daughtry Lopez, LPC-S
DeZavala Road, Shavano Park
Lopez's site says she has been EMDR certified through EMDRIA since 2012. It lists trauma, PTSD, anxiety and grief, and mentions work with military personnel and first responders.
- Mostly private pay, with fees published and limited BCBS and TRICARE panel spots.
6. Heights Family Counseling — San Antonio
Austin Highway, Alamo Heights · group practice, in person and telehealth
The San Antonio office of a Houston-based group practice. Its trauma therapy page lists EMDR and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), for children, teens and adults.
- Ask which clinician in the San Antonio office offers the method you want.
Questions that separate a trauma specialist from a generalist
Our full list is in 10 questions to ask a trauma therapist before you start.
- Which trauma-focused therapy do you use, and why that one for someone like me?
- What happens in the first few sessions, before we get to the memories themselves?
- How do you handle it if I become overwhelmed or dissociate in a session?
- How will we know whether it is working, and when would we review that?
Questions people ask
Which trauma therapy works best?
Do I have to talk about what happened in detail?
Can trauma therapy make things feel worse at first?
Sources
Read next on this site
Written and clinically reviewed by Jim Denning, MA, LPC. Last reviewed 23 September 2026.
We review health content at least once a year, and sooner when clinical guidance, fees, insurance, or crisis information changes. Tell us if something here looks wrong.
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