New center helps trauma survivors heal 

For survivors of violent crime, healing often requires more than counseling.

Many struggle with post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety while also facing practical barriers such as transportation, housing instability, financial hardship or distrust of traditional institutions. Those challenges can prevent people from getting the care they need long after the immediate crisis has passed.

A new St. Louis center aims to change that.

“It is a landmark moment for behavioral health, trauma survivors and the St. Louis community,” said Dr. Lekesha Davis, chief operating officer of Ignite Hope Trauma Recovery Center, which will celebrate its grand opening on July 24.

Organizers say the facility is Missouri’s first and only nationally recognized trauma recovery center. It is designed to provide comprehensive services for survivors of violent crime and other traumatic events using an evidence-based model that combines mental health treatment with case management, peer support and assistance navigating community resources.

The trauma recovery center model was developed to reach victims who often do not access traditional mental health services. Rather than relying solely on office-based counseling, centers work to remove barriers to care through outreach, care coordination and support tailored to each client’s circumstances.

According to the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers, about 55 trauma recovery centers operate nationwide. They serve people affected by a range of issues, including gun violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking and other violent crimes. Services may include trauma-focused therapy, case management, help obtaining victim compensation, assistance accessing housing and medical care, and accompaniment to legal or court proceedings.

Ignite Hope, a nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 2023, says it became Missouri’s only nationally recognized Trauma Recovery Center after securing national funding and implementing the alliance’s evidence-based model of care. The organization was founded by licensed professional counselors Teresa Brandon, chief executive officer; COO Davis; and K.A. Wilson, clinical services director.

The center will operate with multidisciplinary teams that include licensed trauma therapists, case managers and peer support specialists. Officials say services are intended to reduce common barriers that prevent crime victims from receiving care, including transportation challenges, financial hardship and reluctance to engage with traditional systems. The organization also says no one will be denied services because of an inability to pay.

The opening comes as communities across the St. Louis region continue searching for ways to address the long-term effects of violence. Mental health experts increasingly recognize that recovery often requires coordinated services extending beyond traditional therapy, particularly for survivors experiencing housing instability, ongoing safety concerns or other social challenges.