Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing trauma can leave lasting effects on how you feel, think, and move through the world. You might find yourself feeling on edge, overwhelmed by memories, disconnected from others, or not quite like yourself. These responses are not a sign of weakness—they are your mind and body's way of trying to cope with something difficult. And there is hope for healing from this challenge.

We begin your recovery from trauma by building an environment in which you can feel safe, physically and emotionally. This includes the therapy space, your home, your workspace and your body. Learning strategies for regulating your nervous system and your brain's fight-flight-freeze mechanism is an important part of this process. And since trauma survivors often experience difficulty trusting others, identifying your supportive network at home and at work are equally important.

Once the scaffolding of safety has been established, there are several approaches to processing the traumatic experience. Trauma often gets “stuck” in our mind and body. And helping you move it to a less threatening, intrusive and overwhelming place is my goal. We do this by making sense of what happened from a self-compassionate and present place that allows the meaning of what happen to shift.

Over time, many people begin to integrate what happened into their life story in a way that doesn't define them. Some even experience “post-traumatic growth,” finding new strengths, values, or perspectives. Learning to respond to yourself with patience and kindness is a key part of this healing.