Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Hi, my passion is assisting individuals to obtain relief by counteracting distress caused by exposure to traumatic life stimuli. I am fortunate to have been a Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy provider for more than 20 years. I also am board certified in Neuropsychology, and while I not longer test for brain injury and dementia, my knowledge of brain and behavior relationships is helpful in understanding brain functioning with PTSD.

PTSD can manifest in various ways, including intrusive memories of the traumatic event (such as flashbacks or nightmares), avoidance of reminders of the event, negative changes in mood and cognition (such as negative beliefs about oneself or the world), and heightened arousal or reactivity (such as being easily startled or having difficulty sleeping). These symptoms can significantly impair daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life.

Process and heal from old wounds, break out of the cycles that keep you stuck, and learn to connect with yourself and others in a way that helps you rediscover a sense of peace and meaning in life.

Trauma is not what happened to us, it is the wound that impacts every part of our lives. Those wounds can be addressed and healed. I utilize trauma-informed care, including but not limited to Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness. When protective behaviors and beliefs are addressed in a safe, connected environment, healing can be achieved.

I work with folks who have developmental and attachment trauma as well as history of acute trauma (abuse, assault, etc). I also specialize in working with folks who have a history of religious trauma. I use Somatic Internal Family Systems and mindfulness based somatic therapy to work with trauma.

Treating people who have experienced trauma is my main speciality. While I have particular experience treating survivors of intimate partner violence, I have also worked with survivors of other types of trauma including community violence, sexual assault and abuse, and experiences that have a deep psychological impact even if they may not meet formal definitions of trauma. I often use Cognitive Processing Therapy to identify and address harmful beliefs that are keeping you stuck.

Throughout my career, I have worked with trauma in in-patient and out-patient hospital settings, a sexual assault crisis hotline, suicide prevention, opioid safety, and private practice. Trauma fundamentally rewires our brain and shapes the way we see and experience the world. I have a passion and extensive training in different crisis response, as well as longer-term processing. Trauma can have a huge impact on who you are, and it does not entirely define you. I am EMDRIA certified.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with symptoms of trauma. Trauma symptoms can look like many things including flashbacks, feelings of panic, nightmares, and fear.

We provide a safe and healing space for you to work on frightening and stressful experiences that happened to you in your past trauma, which can be childhood trauma or life-threatening accidents. It is common to experience a trauma response that includes fight, flight, and freeze, where it feels like shutting down, being flooded, or being overwhelmed. You may notice that you have thoughts such as blaming yourself for the stressful experience and having strong physical reactions.

Childhood trauma, neglect and abuse

I specialize in PTSD and CPTSD especially. I have worked with thousands of traumatized individuals and know well the symptoms, signs, and at which point to involve medication. In my work with former inmates, many suffered from PTSD. I then ran a grief and PTSD-oriented process group for local college students who witnessed a suicide. I treat many patients with CPTSD in my practice.

I have been treating clients with PTSD / trauma for my entire career. It is a focus of mine and something that is sacred to me. I utilize a combination of tools including Brainspotting, EMDR, and body-brain based approaches to treat trauma.

I have experience working with PTSD and complex PTSD as well as Religious Trauma Syndrome. I utilize tools such as EMDR, Mindfulness, Art, and DBT to address symptoms.

There is nothing I find more honor and value in, than sitting with someone as they heal and process trauma. I utilize IFS and cognitive processing to help clients find safety in this world and with people again. You will be able to identify your triggers and have tools to regulate yourself through those triggers, to be able to live a life where your trauma does not define you or consume you. Your trauma will become a scar you look back on, instead of an open wound that brings consistent pain.

PTSD is no joke. The after effects of trauma can have a far reaching impact and no matter how strong you are, the way that trauma rewires your brain and nervous system isn't for wimps. Intrusive thoughts, emotional flashbacks, or painful triggers have a way of keeping a stranglehold on your present. Trauma imprints on our minds and bodies until we release that pent-up energy. Learn how to change your reactions when triggered so that you can finally have peace again.

I have specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness Practices, and Post-Induction Therapy.

You may find it difficult to create or stay in deep relationships, constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop, or feel like you're always a moment away from snapping, wanting to run away. Trauma touches us to our core, changing how we view life, self, and others. Trauma can range from problematic family dynamics to returning home from war. You deserve to share your story and release the control that trauma may have on your quality of life.

If you have experienced a significant trauma and have residual or ongoing difficulties processing your trauma, I can help you self-regulate and control your emotions and mood.