Licensed psychologist | North Carolina
Empowering Trauma Survivors on Their Unique Path to Lasting Recovery
If you are navigating the effects of trauma, know that you are not alone. Together, we’ll use proven methods to help you build resilience, challenge and reframe unhelpful beliefs, and move toward a more fulfilling life with renewed clarity. Your healing is important and choosing to begin your transformative journey is a testament to your strength.
My Mission
Honoring Your Unique Journey
At Carolina Trauma Recovery, I believe that healing from trauma is not just possible, but empowering. The strongest people I have ever met have been, undoubtedly, the survivors of trauma I have had the pleasure to work with over my career. My approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration, ensuring that every client feels heard, valued, and safe. I understand that trauma impacts my client’s in unique ways, and I honor the complexity and intersectionality of each of their lived experiences.
core values
My Treatment Guiding Principles
At the heart of my practice is the belief that you are not what happened to you—it’s your innate qualities like resiliency, courage, and strength that define you and will lead to healing and sustained recovery.
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I prioritize creating a physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe space where you can explore your experiences without judgment.
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I believe in giving you control over your healing process. We work together to create a plan that respects your pace, needs, and preferences.
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I build trust through clear communication, transparency in treatment, and a commitment to earning your trust through consistent, compassionate care.
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I view healing as a holistic process that engages the mind, body, and spirit. I incorporate proven methods, like cognitive processing therapy (CPT), mindfulness, and somatic therapies to treat the whole person and improve therapy outcomes to foster post-traumatic growth.
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I recognize your inherent strengths and resilience. I aim to help you rediscover your inner resources and use them as tools for recovery.
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I honor the diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences of my clients. My practice is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed, ensuring that all feel respected and supported.
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Healing is a journey we embark on together. I see therapy as a partnership where your voice is central in shaping the process and guiding our path.
Healing from trauma is possible, and you deserve support.
Connect with me today to explore how therapy can help you reclaim your life.
Owner & Founder
Licensed Psychologist & Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSP-P) in North Carolina
Trauma Specialist
I’m so glad you’re here!
I am Dr. Cierra Listermann! I am a licensed psychologist and health service provider in psychology (HSP-P) in North Carolina. I have significant training and expertise in providing tailored trauma treatment to adult clients (18+) via teletherapy.
Since we will be talking about very personal and difficult experiences during our work together, we don’t need to be so official! Please feel free to call me Cierra!
I believe that every client deserves to feel welcome, supported, and heard throughout the course of their therapy experience. I aim to provide a warm environment and foster authentic therapeutic relationships within each session. Fostering a supportive, collaborative, and genuine connection with each of my clients is one of my major focal points during treatment.
Research indicates that establishing a strong therapeutic alliance is the most important factor in successful outcomes in therapy independent of the specific type of treatment. My ultimate goal for the end of every session is to have each client feel safe, understood, and cared for; creating the best environment for the trajectory of our work together.
To me, the trust and rapport-building process is essential when clients are seeking help with vulnerable and emotionally difficult concerns that take a lot of courage to discuss. The majority of my clients have expressed that I am typically the first person they have shared their story with due to feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame (these are normal trauma responses that we will work on improving). I understand how challenging it is to open up about what has happened to you, as everything in your mind and body is screaming to keep it hidden and bury it deep. This is why I take cultivating our therapeutic relationship so seriously, and wear client’s trust in me as a badge of honor.
My Therapeutic Approach
I know first-hand how daunting the idea of therapy can be. We live in a society where it is often encouraged to keep our innermost thoughts and feelings to ourselves. In that vein, therapy feels like we are breaking the rules or signing up for something where we will be met with criticism, judgement, and negative perception. I’m here to tell you, that’s not how I operate. I value your vulnerability and view it as courage and strength. I am proud of you for taking the step to consider if therapy may be helpful for you.
Understanding that beginning therapy can be challenging, especially within my expertise working with survivors of trauma, I am very intentional in my therapeutic approach, where our relationship is of the utmost importance to me and our work together. Clients who have experienced trauma often exhibit significant emotional avoidance that exacerbates trauma-related symptoms and difficulty processing their traumatic experience(s) which leads them to feel “stuck.” With that knowledge at the forefront of my approach, it stands to reason that if you don’t like me, or don’t trust me, why would you tell me anything personal or think that I could help you? For therapy to be effective, it is essential for the therapeutic relationship between us to be strong and based on the foundations of authenticity, transparency, rapport, collaboration, trust, and respect.
In more clinical terms, my therapeutic approach is integrative in the sense that I don’t utilize a “one-size-fits-all” method. I pull from different treatment modalities that are tailored to your specific needs and treatment goals, which we determine collaboratively together. I only utilize therapeutic techniques that are evidence-based, meaning they are scientifically proven through substantial research to provide the best treatment outcomes for healing and recovery from trauma.
having coffee with an old friend. A friend that you have cultivated a strong and trusting relationship with over time. Someone who you know will be honest with you and has your best interests at heart. A friend who cares about your well-being and empowers you to do the things you love. Someone who you can let your guard down with. A friend who supports your agency and power of choice without fear of judgement. Someone who you feel connected to and can be vulnerable with, despite how hard it can be sometimes. The only difference between me and your most cherished friend is that I have extensive education, training, and clinical experience to effectively provide proven methods to reduce the impact of your trauma and foster recovery that is rooted in what works.
I understand that trauma is complex, and I believe that each person’s path to healing is unique where no two experiences of trauma are the same. I tailor my approach to therapy to meet your specific needs through collaboration, as you are the expert of your own experiences. Together, we will set goals that feel right for you. I will never push you to move faster than what you’re ready for, but I will guide and encourage you when you're ready to take steps forward. You are in control of your healing process, and I’m here to support your growth every step of the way.
having coffee with an old friend. A friend that you have cultivated a strong and trusting relationship with over time. Someone who you know will be honest with you and has your best interests at heart. Someone who cares about your well-being and empowers you to do the things you love. A friend who you can let your guard down with. Someone who supports your agency and power of choice without fear of judgement. A friend who you feel connected to and can be vulnerable with, despite how hard it can be sometimes. The only difference between me and your most cherished friend is that I have extensive education, training, and clinical experience to effectively provide proven methods to reduce the impact of your trauma and foster recovery that is rooted in what works.
I understand that trauma is complex, and I believe that each person’s path to healing is unique where no two experiences of trauma are the same. I tailor my approach to therapy to meet your specific needs through collaboration, as you are the expert of your own experiences. Together, we will set goals that feel right for you. I will never push you to move faster than what you’re ready for, but I will guide and encourage you when you're ready to take steps forward. You are in control of your healing process, and I’m here to support your growth every step of the way.
Education & Training
Specialized Training for Trauma Healing
I earned my Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Cumberlands. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from Eastern Kentucky University.
I have extensive clinical, assessment, and research experience working in various mental health settings to include inpatient units, correctional facilities, university counseling, and outpatient clinics. I worked in a forensic private practice conducting forensic assessments such as competency to stand trial evaluations and psychosexual risk assessments. Additionally, I facilitated juvenile and adult sex offender treatment groups. I also completed training in a university counseling center and community outpatient facility where I conducted individual and family therapy.
I completed my pre-doctoral internship at The North Carolina Department of Public Safety working with correctional populations at Central Prison and the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, conducting individual and group therapy. I also completed my post-doctoral training in community mental health at a private practice conducting individual therapy for various mental health disorders.
Since working in group private practice settings for the past seven years, I have cultivated my clinical areas of expertise, developed mastery in numerous evidence-based treatment modalities, and received extensive training opportunities to foster specialization in treating survivors of trauma.
Additional Trainings
I have received extensive training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Safe Zone Training.
Virtual Office Manager & Professional Napper
Please meet the most adored member of the team, Stanley, our Virtual Office Manager at Carolina Trauma Recovery! While some office managers juggle busy schedules and emails, Stanley takes a more relaxed approach—mostly by sleeping on the job. With years of experience in the art of napping, Stanley provides a calm and snoozy presence during virtual sessions, ensuring everyone feels more at ease (and maybe a little envious of his nap schedule).
Key Responsibilities:
Appearing in the background of video calls, often mid-nap, if he is not already stretched out under my desk.
Supervising virtual therapy sessions by sleeping through them with expert-level snoring.
Occasionally waking up to remind the team to relax and take it easy, or break for lunch.
Providing stress relief by looking adorable while snoozing in strange positions.
Maintaining compliance through HIPAA awareness training and understanding the importance of confidentiality-your secrets are safe with him!
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Take the first step and schedule a free consultation call today! No pressure, no commitment. Just a chat to see if I’m the right fit and can offer some help.