Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Do you go from 0-100 in a nano second? Your heart is beating out of your chest, it's hard to breathe, and the panic is in complete control. In the face of danger, our body is wired to react before our brain is even aware of the threat. PTSD occurs when we don't take the time for our mind to process the event. Therefore, the trauma memory can only be stored as the fight/flight reaction, and anytime your body is reminded of the original trauma, you go from 0-100 in a nano second.

Trauma can create lasting, unhealed wounds that follow us for years if left unprocessed with professional care. Sometimes we don't even realize trauma has happened until we begin therapy and take a deeper look into past events. It is never too late to start unpacking and healing traumatic events in a safe space. You don't have to do it alone.

I specialize in both PTSD and C-PTSD and utilize multiple modalities to help my clients overcome past traumatic events and live more fulfilling lives in the present. I do not dictate what will work best for you in therapy. We will work together to customize our treatment goals and tailor interventions specifically for your needs.

I have been working with folx who have experienced trauma and/or have PTSD for much of the past decade. I have attended multiple trauma training programs to increase my proficiency with this population.

Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person's mental and emotional health. Whether you have experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing trauma, I am trained to provide trauma-informed therapy to help you process your experiences, build resilience, and work towards healing and recovery.

I am a Certified EMDR Consultant with over a decade of clinical experience working with clients who have symptoms of PTSD and Complex PTSD. There is real hope for effective treatment of these disruptions to the nervous system. I support clients using evidence based practices that help them reconnect to themselves, their relationships, and to life.

I offer Cognitive Processing Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD that can be completed in under 12 weeks. Unlike exposure-based therapies, CPT allows clients to work through their trauma without having to give a repeated/detailed account of the trauma, making it more approachable for many clients. I also offer Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD, which typically takes only 5 sessions. I find WET is often a good fit for folks who express themselves better in writing than verbally.

Trauma is complicated.  Long-term trauma responses are unique, personal, and often painful. It can be obvious, with a well-defined cause and symptoms that seem to make sense.  It can also be masked beneath sadness, anxiety, and irritability, without an obvious source. The triggering incident could have happened a week ago or many years ago. People may experience numbness, hyper-awareness, flashbacks, and irritability. You will be provided with a safe space to regain your inner self.

Treating (C)PTSD involves a compassionate, individualized approach, emphasizing safety and trust. Methods like EMDR and Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) are used and geared towards processing traumatic memories and diminishing their impact. Mindfulness and grounding exercises are also employed to manage anxiety and emotional dysregulation. The ultimate aim is to empower people in regaining control and moving towards a resilient and hopeful future.

I use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches when processing trauma with all of my clients. I pull heavily from attachment-based therapy models that prioritize creating and maintaining a safe and secure client-therapist relationship. I completed an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training in 2020. I also use Internal Family Systems theory and Emotion-Focused Therapy. I enjoy treating single event traumas, complex childhood trauma, and intergenerational trauma.

Post traumatic stress can be addressed with EMDR for single event traumas or with an integrative approach for complex traumas that imclude a variety of traumatic events. My integrative approach pulls from sensorimotor, mindfulness, parts work, and mentalization strategies to help client find meaning within their symptoms and work towards fully healing years of wounds that may otherwise continue impacting my clients lives.

Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. We can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing.

Using EMDR, we will be able to work together to process traumatic life events and negatively held beliefs in order to see a brighter future for yourself, free from trauma. Change is possible and I can help you hope for a better tomorrow. Reach out to learn more!

Traumatic events are defined as physical or sexual abuse, psychological abuse (persistent intimidation, manipulation, criticism), or cumulative stress caused by repeated workplace exposures or a lifetime of systemic oppression. You may experience intrusive memories and nightmares, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, feeling detached from others, and more. You might find yourself engaging in destructive behavior to distract from your pain. Recovery is possible!

Trauma can make you want to avoid, or make you numb to the world. It effects relationships, performance at work, and can make us doubt who we are and what our purpose is. Treatment for trauma can look a lot of different ways. Sometimes the focus is on the here and now- learning how to manage symptoms that are tripping you up today. Sometimes the focus is on the beliefs that came out of the trauma, and how your current life is somehow continuing to foster them. Giving you control is the goal.