Trauma

Trauma is often understood as a huge, dramatic, life-altering event. While this can absolutely be the case, in essence, trauma is any experience in life that negatively changes the way we view the world, others, or ourselves. These experiences wound; they compel us to believe and act in ways that are not workable and therefore rob us of the ability to fully engage in life. And while these experiences deeply impact, their impact does not have to be permanent. Counseling is a safe space to explore and understand how these terrible events continually affect you. Find healing and freedom from the past as you engage the present.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):  

What is EMDR?

As a Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant in Training (CIT), I offer EMDR Therapy to process trauma and create new, positive, strength-based  experiences and perceptions. Through therapy, HEALING can be found for all types of trauma and abuse - emotional, verbal, sexual and physical abuse.

To learn more about EMDR, visit www.emdria.org.

Internal Family Systems (IFS):

Internal Family Systems, also known as IFS, is a gentle and mindful lens through which we can view ourselves and our experiences. IFS understands that as humans we are multi-faceted. It conceptualizes our varied experiences in our internal and external worlds as belonging to different parts of self along with a central, core Self. We unconsciously utilize this perspective often - for example, I might say, part of me is really excited about going on vacation but another part of me is anxious about getting on an airplane. Both experiences are real and valid. Engaging with IFS principles and utilizing IFS informed techniques, we can use curiosity and compassion to understand the various parts of you and therefore make sense of confusing experiences and confounding behavior - Why do I do what I don’t want to do? We make space to get to know, collaborate with and care for all parts of you. We belief that all parts have good intentions. And while they may have gotten stuck pursuing that goodness through unworkable or unsustainable methods, we invite them to be known and understood. We offer care and help to become more effective, if and when they are ready. Some parts are stuck in the past, trapped in trying to manage the trauma that they hold. This approach can help support and coach them in releasing the burdens they carry and find freedom.

For more information about Internal Family Systems visit https://ifs-institute.com .

Common Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD

  • Distressing recollections of the the traumatic even

  • Distressing dreams or nightmares.

  • Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring.

  • Dissociation.

  • Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, people, places, objects or experiences associated              with the traumatic event.

  • Difficulty sleeping, concentrating.

  • Inability to remember aspects of the trauma.

  • Decreased interest or participation in life.

  • Feeling detached or estranged from others.

  • Limited range of emotions (e.g., unable to feel love or happiness).

  • Unable to imagine the future (e.g., do not expect to have a career, marriage, or a normal life).

  • Heightened startle response.

  • Hyper-vigilance.

  • Irritability or bursts of anger.