Individual and Couples Therapy

Trauma-Informed Care

Traumatic events of the past, often live on in the body and mind, and impact the capacity to be present to life in a satisfying way. Trauma disrupts central nervous sytem regulation and capacity for embodiment. Sometimes folks end up feeling like they are re-experiencing something similar to what happened then, as if it’s happening now, even when it isn’t. The body has ingenious ways of adapting to overwhelming experience in an attempt to survive; the trouble is that in the present, these very strategies that were so helpful back then, often have costs that are too big now.

Trauma treatment is grounded in working in the present moment. It helps folks reconnect to their internal experience in safe ways through manageable, modulated work regulating central nervous system arousal. Trauma-informed care helps bring folks from functioning in survival mode into a life that has room for connection, flexibility, and even joy.

The therapist’s capacity for compassionate stance and presence in their own body in each session is imperative. Trauma-informed care also holds an awareness of power differentials in the therapy space, the role of different identities and cultural perspectives, and that oppression exists in our society in many forms—including racial trauma, anti-fat culture, misogyny and bias and hate toward sexuality and gender. It acknowledges that some folks are not safe in the present moment—that trauma can be in one’s past and in one’s present.

Acknowledging the impact of oppression through the life story is crucial to validating and working with the reality that human suffering is most always created by harm from the outside. Trauma-informed care holds the entirety of your story, as it is held in your narrative and in your body, with exquisite care.

Individual and Couples/Relationship Therapy

I draw from over 20 years of clinical practice in my treatment approach, and work from an integrative model of both relational approaches and body-centered interventions, to provide trauma-informed care.

I work with clients who struggle with anxiety, racing thoughts, depressed mood, conflict in relationships, chronic pain, difficulty regulating in relationship, trouble with intimacy, parenting concerns, ambivalence about certain aspects of their lives and more. I specialize in the treatment of complex trauma and dissociative disorders.

My approach to couples work prioritizes helping you foster increased emotional safety within your relationship. This can take the form of helping you with your communication style, growing your capacity to tolerate and discuss difficult topics, struggles with intimacy, parenting, life planning and more. Our work together will be grounded in helping you and your partner stay present and regulated enough for meaningful and lasting change.