Trauma is any disturbing experience which is perceived by the individual to be a threat to their safety or well-being. Not all traumas originate from one big event (such as a car accident), and not all scary events (like the car accident) result in a traumatic response. Trauma may also be recurrent, long lasting situations such as neglect, abuse, or maybe lack of appropriate attachment to a caregiver. Many people have heard of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which has the following symptoms:
- negative overall change in thoughts and moods
- avoidance of a place or situations that remind you of the past event
- re-experiencing the event through intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
- hyper-arousal (jittery, looking out for danger)
Even for those without a PTSD diagnosis, the response to traumatic experiences can still interfere with daily functioning and may resemble symptoms that we see with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or mood disorders.
I have extensive training in working with clients to identify and process these disturbing experiences, to work towards acceptance, understanding, and healing. EMDR therapy has proven to be extremely effective when healing trauma. During treatment, I will also utilize trauma-focused CBT, and play therapy / art therapy techniques to help you or your child break free from negative disturbance.
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?
I am currently accepting new clients and would like to hear from you. If you are ready to schedule an appointment for therapy, click the button below. If you are interested but have questions, or would simply like to talk to see if I am a good fit for you or your family, see the FAQ's on the Resources page, or contact me with questions.