trauma-focused therapy
unpacking the past without feeling stuck in it
In the United States, 2 in 3 youth experience at least one traumatic experience before the age of 16.
Trauma is experiencing or witnessing a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a person’s life or bodily integrity. Trauma isn’t always one big, obvious event— it can the quiet, ongoing stress that chips away at your sense of safety and self. Whether it stems from something that happened years ago or something you're still living through, trauma has a way of showing up in your body, thoughts, relationships, and day-to-day life. You might not even call it “trauma,” but you feel the effects: anxiety, shutdowns, irritability, panic, disconnection. Trauma-focused therapy offers a space to untangle those reactions, build a sense of safety, and understand your experiences without shame or pressure.
the impact of trauma
trauma can disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, particularly areas responsible for regulating emotions, assessing threats, making decisions, and forming memories.
every person has a unique response to traumatic experiences. many people who have experienced traumatic events develop traumatic stress, which overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope.
emotional
constant worry, panic, or sense of danger
persistent low mood, sadness, or hopelessness
feeling on edge, reactive, or easily frustrated
feeling unworthy or like something is wrong with you
emotional numbness, shutting down, or feeling disconnected
sudden emotional shifts that are difficult to control
cognitive
intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
difficulty concentrating
harsh inner voice or distorted beliefs about self
black-and-white thought patterns
feeling foggy, spaced out, or disoriented
relational
isolation or withdrawal from friends, family, and community
difficulty trusting others, even those closest to you
fear of abandonment
struggling to connect with others emotionally or physically
over-attachment or detachment to others
physical
chronic pain or muscle tension
digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort
difficulty falling or staying asleep
nightmares
ongoing fatigue and exhaustion, despite rest
rapid heart or respiratory rate
sensory sensitivity
exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions
behavioral
avoidance of people, places, or situations that are reminders of traumatic event(s)
desire to control everything to ensure safety
self-medicating with food, alcohol, drugs, or distractions to numb emotions
people-pleasing to avoid conflict
engaging in potentially risky or harmful behaviors
internal
feeling detached from body or surroundings
identity confusion
feeling unlovable, broken, or not enough
constantly scanning for danger
your body keeps the score but
therapy can help
Therapy won’t remove the memory of trauma, but it will help you learn to thrive despite it. Trauma often leads to patterns of behavior and emotional responses that were once self-protection mechanisms. Over time, these patterns may no longer serve you. Therapy helps you identify these patterns, understand why they exist, and empower you to shift how you respond.
Trauma-focused therapy will help you:
understand and manage your emotional responses
build healthier coping strategies
process difficult memories at your own pace
develop new, more adaptive behaviors
reconnect with your sense of self-worth
therapy that’s actually trauma informed
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), I have extensive experience and training in addressing the multifaceted effects of trauma. My approach blends several proven methods to help clients understand their trauma, heal, and move forward.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Attachment-Based Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Mindfulness Practices
Theraplay®
Trust-Based Relational Interviewing (TBRI)
“if it feels disheartening to learn that trauma changes the brain, remember that healing changes the brain too”