Trauma-therapy

Trauma is pervasive in our world. Throughout my 18 years as a therapist, I’ve worked with survivors of sexual trauma, military trauma, physical abuse, interpersonal violence, emotional abuse, and many other causes of trauma.

All trauma treatment starts with learning coping skills to get through the day. This might include breathing techniques, mindfulness, and getting back to your self-care routine. 

After that, we focus on the roots of your trauma. While trauma is common, your experiences are unique to you. That’s why I offer three distinct approaches to treating trauma: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Which one is best for you depends on the nature of your symptoms, your learning style, and how you process information.

EMDR is a well-researched approach that helps heal trauma by using eye movements while recalling traumatic memories to reduce their power. IFS is an approach that facilitates healing by connecting with, understanding, and caring for your inner parts.  Both these therapies are best suited for intrusive symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, and feeling on edge (hypervigilance).

CPT is a writing oriented therapy that includes skill building to challenge negative thoughts and feelings.  The focus is on the lasting negative beliefs from trauma, such as “it is my fault” or “I am a bad person.”