I specialize in complex trauma which includes a combination of what’s called developmental trauma (ie. childhood trauma) which is any significant experience that overwhelms a child’s ability to function and cope and ongoing stress and trauma.

In general, traumatic experiences may include: physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, physical, emotional, and/or financial neglect, medical trauma, betrayal trauma, household challenges like divorce, family mental illness, exposure to violence in the home, loss of a loved one, incarcerated loved ones, and environmental adversities and social influences such as natural disasters, homelessness, poverty, racism, bullying, discrimination, acts of violence, etc.

There are a wide range of symptoms that result from trauma related experiences. One of the most common diagnoses is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Symptoms of PTSD include: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance of people, places, or situations that may be reminders of the traumatic event, inability to remember details about the traumatic event, distorted beliefs about self and others, self-critical thoughts or beliefs, guilt, self-blame, feelings of detachment, emotional unavailability, social withdrawal, lack of positive emotions, irritability, reckless behavior, difficulty sleeping, inability to trust others, insecure or anxious attachment style.

Childhood trauma can impact you in a multitude of ways. Not everyone experiences trauma related symptoms or struggle in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Everyone is different and responds differently to various circumstances. Trauma affects the way you relate to yourself and the world around you.

You may be afraid to trust anyone fully or be afraid to commit in a relationship. You may have difficulty saying what you’re thinking without emotional outburst. You may have difficulty saying ‘no’ and sacrifice your own needs often in order to ‘keep the peace’ and avoid conflict. You may have a hard time identifying what your needs are. You may have an intense dislike or mistrust of authority figures. You may become more easily overwhelmed in times of stress or have a lower tolerance to frustration. You may avoid certain types of social events or speaking with certain people. You may be absent-minded or unable to focus clearly. You may doubt you have the ability to go far in life.

When you’ve experienced childhood trauma, you may not realize how it impacts your life as an adult.

The effects can be subtle, like locking yourself into a job you hate, or continuing to engage in unhealthy relationships, or neglecting self-care, for example. At the root, these choices might be due to the trauma you experienced.

Trauma therapy sessions are individualized to meet you where you are and are paced to help guide in a way that is safe and sustainable. Online trauma counseling involves a combination of mindfulness practices, somatic therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), parts work, Trauma-sensitive Heart Math™ and more to help you heal and thrive in your life.

Trauma therapy aims to process traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner. You will not be forced to relive experiences in a way that feels overwhelming or retraumatizing. You are the driver of your sessions and get to determine what you feel ready and willing to engage in yourself or not. I am trained to use specialized techniques to help you process at the pace that works for you.

No. You do not have to talk about experiences that have happened to you in order to release and fully process them.