Trauma affects far more than the moment something painful occurred. It can shape how you think, how you feel in your body, how you relate to others, and how you show up in your daily life. Many people who carry trauma don’t realize that their struggles today are rooted in overwhelming experiences that were too much, too fast, or too soon for the nervous system to handle.
The good news is that trauma is treatable. With the right support, the brain and body can heal. You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by how your nervous system experienced the event. When something feels threatening, chaotic, or emotionally overwhelming, the body may shift into survival responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or collapse. If the nervous system is unable to return to safety afterward, the overwhelming experience becomes “stuck,” leading to ongoing symptoms long after the event has passed.
Trauma can come from:
Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Childhood neglect or instability
Medical trauma or chronic illness Loss, grief, or sudden life changes
Military experiences
Accidents or natural disasters
Relationship or attachment wounds
Chronic stress or repeated micro-traumas
You do not have to justify whether your trauma “counts.” If it impacted you, it matters.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs when trauma symptoms persist and begin interfering with daily functioning, relationships, work, or your overall sense of wellbeing. PTSD can develop from a single event or from long-term or repeated experiences (sometimes called complex trauma). PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that your nervous system has been doing its best to protect you.
Common Symptoms of Trauma & PTSD
Trauma affects the mind, emotions, and body. You may experience:
Emotional & Psychological Symptoms
Anxiety, fear, or a sense of danger even when you’re safe
Depression or hopelessness
Difficulty feeling joy or connection
Irritability, anger, or emotional overwhelm Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
Physical & Somatic Symptoms
Chronic tension or pain Fatigue or sleep disruption
Startle response or feeling on edge
Numbness or disconnection from your body
Digestive issues or other unexplained symptoms
Cognitive & Behavioral Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
Feeling detached from others
Overworking, people-pleasing, or shutting down
Trouble trusting yourself or others
These symptoms are not personality flaws—they are the body’s way of trying to keep you safe.
How Trauma Is Treated: EMDR & Trauma-Informed Therapy
Healing trauma requires therapies that address the root of the pain—not just the surface-level symptoms. As a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, I use evidence-based, mind-body approaches that help the nervous system resolve what it couldn’t process in the past.
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is one of the most effective and extensively researched treatments for trauma and PTSD. It helps the brain reprocess disturbing memories so they no longer trigger the same emotional or physical reactions.
EMDR works by:
Reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories
Strengthening adaptive, positive beliefs
Reconnecting you with a sense of safety and empowerment
Allowing memories to be experienced without overwhelm
During EMDR, you are not asked to relive the trauma in detail. Instead, you guided gently through processing at a pace that feels safe and grounded.
EMDR is a powerful approach for:
PTSD Childhood trauma
Abuse and neglect
First-responder and military trauma
Medical trauma Anxiety, panic, and grief
Phobias and performance issues
Other Trauma-Informed Therapies I Use:
While EMDR is foundational, trauma is multi-layered. I integrate additional approaches tailored to your needs, including:
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Helps regulate the nervous system, increase feelings of safety, and develop greater emotional resilience.
Somatic & Mind-Body Techniques
Support the release of stored tension and deepen your connection with your body.
Cognitive Behavioral & Attachment-Based Approaches
Address the beliefs, relational patterns, and self-perceptions shaped by trauma.
Parts Work & Inner Child Healing
Gently works with protective parts of you that formed during difficult experiences.
Strength-Based Relational Therapy
Builds safety through a grounded, supportive therapeutic relationship—essential for trauma healing.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy is not about “forgetting” the past—it’s about reclaiming your life from it. Clients often experience:
Greater sense of calm and safety
Increased capacity to handle stress
Improved sleep and energy
Reduction in triggers, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts
Healthier boundaries and relationships
More confidence and trust in themselves
Feeling connected to purpose, joy, and identity again
You deserve a life that feels grounded, steady, and fully your own.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re ready to move out of survival mode and toward healing, I’m here to help. Trauma does not define you—your capacity to grow and recover is far stronger than you may realize.
When you’re ready, we can take the next step together.