We Don’t Guess. We Measure What Matters.
At Inner Circle, we track outcomes because your progress matters. We use evidence-backed symptom measures before and after treatment to make sure the work is actually helping.
Our clients complete three short assessments:
PCL-5 – Measures post-traumatic stress symptoms
PHQ-9 – Measures symptoms of depression
GAD-7 – Measures symptoms of anxiety
These tools are used across military, first responder, and clinical settings—so we can see real change, not just hope for it.
Real Change, Not Just Talk.
Check out our average symptom reductions after completing treatment.
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Measured with the PCL-5, on average our clients reduced their initial scores by 31 points.
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Measured with the PHQ-9, on average our clients reduced their initial scores by 8 points.
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Measured with the GAD-7, on average our clients reduced their initial scores by 9 points.
*These results were accomplished over 12-16 sessions, primarily using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Case Studies
Urban Law Enforcement – Cumulative Trauma Recovery
After a full career in urban law enforcement, this client came to Inner Circle experiencing the impact of severe cumulative trauma. Initial assessments showed the psychological toll of the job:
PCL-5 (PTSD): 63/80 — severe trauma symptoms
PHQ-9 (Depression): 18/27 — moderately severe depression
GAD-7 (Anxiety): 15/21 — significant anxiety
This wasn’t ordinary job stress. It was a clear case of career-induced psychological injury.
Through a structured 12-session trauma-focused therapy model, the client experienced a powerful transformation:
PCL-5: Dropped to 4 — minimal PTSD symptoms
PHQ-9: Dropped to 2
GAD-7: Dropped to 0 — full remission of anxiety
These results reflect a clinically significant, life-changing shift—restoring the capacity to enjoy retirement, reconnect with loved ones, and move forward without the weight of untreated trauma.
Veteran – Targeted EMDR for PTSD and Crisis Stabilization
This veteran presented with PTSD symptoms, secondary distress from ongoing life challenges, and a high risk of suicide as identified by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The client’s goals were clear: reduce intrusive symptoms, regain emotional control, and find sustainable strategies to cope.
Treatment included 5 sessions of EMDR, targeting both trauma and acute stress patterns.
Outcome Highlights:
PCL-5 (PTSD): 43 → 5
PHQ-9 (Depression): 16 → 3
GAD-7 (Anxiety): 10 → 3
Following treatment, the client reported significant emotional stabilization, improved clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Suicide risk indicators also dropped, demonstrating that short-term, trauma-informed intervention can be both life-saving and transformative.
Healthcare Professional – Long-Term Talk Therapy for Emotional Clarity & Regulation
A healthcare professional entered therapy to address persistent emotional stress and internal tension affecting daily functioning. The client expressed a desire for greater self-understanding and tools to navigate personal and professional relationships more effectively. Symptoms at intake included low motivation, isolation, anxiety, and difficulty managing emotional responses.
Treatment Approach:
The client participated in 24 sessions of CBT-based talk therapy, focused on building insight, emotional regulation, and reducing internal distress.
Assessment Outcomes:
PHQ-9 (Depression): 8 → 3
GAD-7 (Anxiety): 16 → 6
The client experienced consistent symptom reduction and increased emotional clarity, demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term, supportive therapy for professionals under high levels of cumulative stress.
Fire Service – Emotional Regulation and Grief Support
A client working in the fire service came to therapy seeking support for long-standing grief and difficulty managing emotions in high-stress environments. Cultural pressure to suppress emotion had led to frustration, shame, and strained relationships.
Over 7 sessions using trauma-informed approaches like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and ACT, the client worked to normalize emotional expression and challenge beliefs tied to identity and masculinity.
PCL-5 (PTSD) scores improved from 18 to 15, with meaningful gains in self-awareness, emotional acceptance, and relationship repair. Therapy focused on small, sustainable shifts—reducing emotional avoidance and building language for difficult internal experiences.
This case reflects how even incremental symptom change can signal deeper transformation in professions where vulnerability is often silenced.
Vietnam Veteran – Healing After Decades of Silence
This client, a Vietnam veteran, came to therapy reluctantly—hoping his participation might encourage a family member to do the same. He had never talked about the war. His family remembered him as angry, withdrawn, and hard to reach. Decades of grief and unspoken trauma had left him feeling isolated, with few expectations for change.
Through trauma-informed therapy, he experienced a powerful shift. PHQ-9 (Depression) dropped from 12 to 2 and PCL-5 (PTSD) improved from 38 to 10.
He now reports feeling emotionally lighter, more connected to loved ones, and finally able to reflect on his service without shame. This case is a reminder—it’s never too late to heal.
