Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma

For many of us, particularly those of us who are members of oppressed groups, the trauma we have experienced in this lifetime is only a piece of the puzzle. Our ancestors and the pain and unhealed wounds of their suffering can also be in our nervous systems, minds, bodies, and spirits affecting our psychological and physical health. I will always hold this truth in our work together and if you are interested we can explore those historical elements together.

Historical trauma, its transmission, and its manifestation across multiple generations were both an area of academic concentration and a personal interest, given my background as a child of people who experienced war and genocide. Many of the people I have work with have found that relief, more fulfilling relationships, and aliveness have coincided with an increasing ability to place their present-day problems against a backdrop of wider social and historic forces.

Trauma can derive from obvious, horrific events, as well as from universal ones such as having been raised by a critical parent. In other words, what determines trauma is its impact, not the event(s) itself. Upsetting experiences - even forgotten ones - can get lodged in our nervous systems and stimulated in subsequent, parallel circumstances. Trauma treatment, including EMDR, can help clients adaptively process past experiences to prevent them from getting re-triggered in the present.

In a safe and supportive environment, you'll discover how living in survival mode became normal for you while also developing tools that you can use in the real world to live a life that's calmer, more peaceful and more fulfilling.

This didn't start with you. You were born into a family and a system that wasn't able to meet your needs, but there is hope for healing and a meaningful life. You'll need help to disentangle from the painful beliefs you've developed about yourself and the world and support to let some of your protective defenses stand back so you can make choices that resonate with your values. This can be a long road of discovery, but it is so worth the work.

I specialize in treating adult survivors of complex trauma and recognize the impact that historical/intergenerational trauma has on perpetuating cycles of harm within family systems. My goal is never to blame/shame parents or families- rather, my focus is on helping my clients shift from judgment to curiosity in order to better understand learned patterns and find ways to break the cycle of trauma.

trauma is not the event—trauma is the stuck response held by our bodies. trauma changes us at a cellular level, changed our blood relatives and ancestors at a cellular level, and so many of us inherit the pain our forebearers could not metabolize. this is where my somatic experience comes into play. through somatic therapies, we practice tapping into the organic "technology" of our bodies, which are inherently designed for resilience & growth.

I specialize in working with individuals with emotionally unavailable parents. Learn to resolve your excessive need for approval, so that you can be set free from guilt, build positive self-worth, and develop emotionally secure and fulfilling relationships.

Trauma can affect people in different ways. I work with clients struggling with acute, chronic, or complex trauma.

I specialized in working with adult children who experienced emotional neglect in childhood.

I work somatically and believe that our bodies can hold our feelings, memories, and even our ancestors' experiences. I also believe there is deep wisdom in our bodies to heal us and return us to ourselves. I enjoy working with folks who are wanting to address and heal historical and intergenerational trauma and do so at the pace of your safety.

Many of the people I have served hold marginalized identities, which often means they have experienced historical and intergenerational trauma. I have provided extensive training and consultation about the topic of trauma since 2014, and specialize in working with trauma survivors. The experience of historical and intergenerational trauma can range from being overt to nuanced, and is a topic that I'm passionate about.

That weight on your shoulder will go away. We will talk about some new ways to think and look at this painful story. We will give you skills to manage your thoughts and feelings. You will build confidence as this process unfolds. And then one day you will be on the other side of this life experience. You will be able to talk about it with out crying. You will feel strong again. Your dreams will stop. You can then exhale and feel calm again. You can look forward without these painful experiences

Trauma's grip can make trusting others seem like an impossible and overwhelming task. Here, we understand that opening up about trauma isn't easy—it's like unraveling a tangled knot. Together, we collaboratively work on fostering open dialogue and exploring what feels right for you. No pressure or rush! You don't have to go through this alone, I work closely with my clients to create personalized strategies for each individual to help reclaim your well-being.

Did you know that, according to the EMDR Institute, there is biological evidence to suggest that intergenerational trauma is hereditary? The stress that comes from the trauma and adversity of generations before you CAN affect your stress. You are not your ancestors, and their story does not have to be your story. We can't control all the fucked up problems of the world, so let's focus on what is in OUR control. Let's work together to identify what advocacy looks like for you and heal.

More new information is emerging about the effects of trauma on health & wellbeing. PTSD and CPTSD (complex - PTSD due to years of abuse/neglect) is when we feel hi-jacked by our senses/body connecting us back to past events that were (or seemed) life threatening. These experiences can be from Domestic abuse, events/accidents related to the lifestyle of substance abuse, and from chronic traumatic/neglectful childhood experiences. There is hope for recovery. It is time for you to heal.

Since 2013, most of my clients would have reported this was an issue in their lives. I provide the space needed for you to share and we can work together to begin healing these wounds!

I focus my individual clinical work on treating attachment trauma such as narcissistic abuse, adult survivors of childhood emotional and/or sexual abuse, and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (also known as developmental trauma). I care deeply about supporting clients in understanding and recovering from these types of trauma because of their destructive effects on an individual's ability to enjoy life. Therapy can help you find balance and develop a healthy sense of self.