Trauma Therapy

Help For Complex and Shock Trauma

Has trauma cast a long shadow over your life, shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships?

If you’re struggling with the aftermath of traumatic experiences, whether it’s the lingering effects of a single shocking event (like a car or work accident, or a one-time violent event) or the complex web of emotions stemming from childhood trauma (like abuse, neglect, separation from parents at a young age, parental substance abuse or mental illness, inconsistency in caregiving, and/or frequent moves), know that you’re not alone.

I specialize in guiding adults through the process of healing from trauma, helping you reclaim your sense of self so there's a path towards health and vitality.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma isn’t just a memory or a series of events; it’s an intricate tapestry woven into the fabric of your being. It manifests in various forms – from the palpable anxiety that grips you in moments of vulnerability to the insidious perfectionism that drives you to constantly seek validation. Trauma can stem from a myriad of sources, including sexual assault, relationship break-ups, or a variety of childhood and/or adult attachment disruptions. These experiences can leave behind a profound sense of disconnection, shame, and confusion, shaping how you view yourself and the world around you.

Navigating the Nervous System

Understanding the role of the nervous system is crucial in trauma therapy. Your nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, plays a central role in regulating your physiological responses to stress and trauma. By fostering awareness of your body’s signals and regulating your nervous system responses, I can empower you to reclaim a sense of safety and agency in your life.

My Approach to Healing

I understand that healing from trauma is a deeply personal journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why I use an eclectic combination of modalities that I use to meet your unique needs. From Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to mindfulness practices, art exercises, visualizations, psychodynamic therapy, and somatic techniques, I use diverse methods to support your healing journey. Most importantly, I use our therapeutic relationship to develop trust, insight, and a path to healing.

Take the First Step

If you’re ready to embark on the journey towards healing and reclaim your life from the grip of trauma, I'm here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Contact me below to take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Contact

What Is Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)?

"What is complex trauma? It's the trauma that happens repeatedly over a length of time. So, unlike a car accident, a fall, or a medical procedure, complex trauma comes from physical and/or emotional abuse or neglect over time, usually during childhood. The abuse or neglect doesn't have to be big and overt or even intentional, although it can be. Often it's very subtle but repeats for years.

Circumstances that can cause complex trauma include:

Growing up with a parent or sibling with a mental illness/addiction
Growing up in a system that has a survival mentality (whether in poverty or not)
Growing up within a strict, inflexible doctrine (i.e. religion, cult, patriarchal system, right/wrong/good/bad, etc.)
Growing up with caretakers who have low emotional intelligence (EQ)
Growing up with caretakers who have been traumatized themselves, and have not done healing work
Growing up in a chaotic environment (many moves, many caretakers, broken promises, etc.)
Growing up in an environment where caretakers are emotionally and/or physically unavailable

Some of the symptoms of an adult with complex trauma include:

Appearing withdrawn and/or volatile
A history of unhealthy relationships
Having exaggerated startle responses
Sleep disturbances and/or nightmares
Having substance and/or process addictions
Constant hyper-vigilance
Memory lapses
A habit of over-explaining just to be understood
Having inflexible boundaries - too strong or too lenient
A deep sense of shame and guilt

With consistency and determination, healing is possible. I'll work with you to build trust over time; teach you to better regulate emotions; clear old traumatic memories, and much more.