Therapy for Trauma
Trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy
When past experiences have present-day implications and impact
Trauma does not always come from a single, obvious event. It can develop from experiences that felt overwhelming, frightening or repeatedly unsafe, especially when there was not support at the time. Long after the experience has passed, the body and nervous system may continue to respond as if the threat is still present. Trauma can manifest quietly or intensely and often in ways that are confusing or hard to articulate.
How trauma often shows up
Trauma symptoms are adaptive responses to past experiences and may include the following:
Feeling on edge, hypervigilant or easily startled
Emotional numbness, shutdown or disconnection
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
Strong reactions that feel disproportionate or hard to control
Avoidance of reminders, situations or internal experiences
Persistent existence in survival mode
Why trauma responses make sense
Trauma responses reflect the nervous system doing its best to protect you. When safety was uncertain or compromised, the body learned strategies to survive through alertness, withdrawal, and emotional suppression. Even when life becomes safer, those patterns may persist.
How trauma therapy can help
Trauma-informed therapy prioritizes safety, choice, and pacing. The work is not about revisiting painful experiences before you are ready. It involves building stability and increasing your capacity to stay present with yourself and others. Treatment supports developing a different relationship to trauma responses so they appear less overwhelming and no longer dictate your daily life.
Therapeutic targets
Depending upon your needs and readiness, therapy may involve any of the following:
Increasing awareness of nervous system responses
Building grounding and emotional regulation skills
Strengthening a sense of safety and stability
Understanding triggers and patterns without judgment
Gently loosening from patterns that were once protective but no longer functional
Supporting reconnection with self, relationships, and values
Approach
Our work will focus upon building awareness, strengthening emotional regulation and coping skills, and developing new ways of relating to distressing memories and sensations. The work supports increased agency and empowerment, helping individuals move forward in ways that align with their values and sense of self.
Is this a good fit?
Trauma therapy using my therapeutic approach may be a good fit if you notice that past experiences continue to shape how you feel, react or relate, often in ways that feel outside of your control. This work can be especially supportive for individuals who are invested in growth and empowerment and feel limited by patterns rooted in earlier experiences.
Individual therapy for adults | telehealth for California residents | secure HIPAA-compliant platform | free consultation availability
If trauma has been taking up more space than you would like, a consultation can help determine whether this approach resonates with your personal development goals.
Book consultation here.