The only way to make sense of change is to Plunge into it, move with it and dance with it. ~Alan Watts

Do You Feel On Edge Or Stuck In Place?

Has a traumatic event or experience changed the way you live your life? Are feelings of fear, doubt, pain, or overwhelm making it hard to relax? Maybe you’re too preoccupied to focus during the day or fall asleep at night, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted. Or perhaps you find yourself going through the motions but feeling numb and disconnected from others. It may seem like things are so much easier for your friends, family members, and coworkers to the point that you’re questioning yourself and your ability to keep functioning from day to day.

Making things more difficult, you may be experiencing distressing physical symptoms or a medical issue that has left you more fearful and uncertain about the future. Maybe it feels easier to shut down or avoid relationships than to deal with painful triggers and self-doubt. But as you become more preoccupied with things that could go wrong, it seems like every aspect of your life—from your relationships to career to physical intimacy—is being affected.

You might recognize that you’ve had a traumatic experience, but perhaps you think you should have recovered by now. Or maybe you don’t know why you feel so angry, irritable, or impatient—but the uncertainty has led to feelings of guilt, shame, or self-doubt. And with COVID-19 affecting daily life, from work to relationships to finances, you may be feeling more helpless than ever.

Do you wish you knew what steps you could take to find relief, experience, or restore your confidence and enjoy greater satisfaction in your life?

Trauma Comes In Many Forms

The truth is that trauma comes in many forms, and no two people experience it in exactly the same ways or for the same reasons. While trauma may result from a major event—like an accident, injury, or the loss of a loved one—it can also stem from a problematic history that was never processed.

The experience of loving and losing—or failing to achieve the goals we had our hearts set on—is much more common than many people realize. And even when we know others have experienced similar challenges, the sense of loneliness and isolation following a loss or traumatic experience,  can leave us feeling like we’re completely alone and that no one will understand what we’re going through.

We all experience unexpected hardships, whether it is the loss of a loved one or a pet, the end of a relationship or career, or a dramatic shift in our sense of health and safety. But many of us weren’t taught how to overcome trauma—or how to support others who are grieving. Making things more difficult, our society tends to view some traumatic experiences or losses as “more valid” than others. As a result, we all too often end up suffering in silence, believing that we should be strong enough to heal and recover on our own. We don’t realize that others are dealing with the same types of issues because they aren’t talking about it either.

Unfortunately, the longer we avoid addressing the trauma in our lives, the more it grows within us. And over time, trauma can erode our self-confidence and affect every aspect of our lives, from our relationships and work performance to our physical health.

Thankfully, trauma therapy with an experienced counselor can give you the compassionate support and practical guidance you need to recognize and heal old wounds so you can get back to living life. 

Trauma Therapy Can Help You Move Forward

Meeting with a trauma therapist gives you the opportunity to share what’s happening in your life freely and openly. You can discuss what is on your mind and in your heart in a safe space where you will be met with compassion and understanding. I know how difficult it can be to move on when you don’t know what is causing you to feel overwhelmed or fearful. But when you are able to express yourself without fear of judgment—when you feel truly heard—you can better understand why something is bothering you and learn practical steps you can take to find meaningful and lasting relief.

During our counseling sessions, I will work with you to understand and address the impact that trauma has had on your whole self: physically, mentally and emotionally. Together, we’ll take a collaborative approach to safely explore your unique experience and uncover the various tools and strategies that can help you find balance and restore your sense of self. Rather than telling you what to do or how to change, my goal is to help you feel supported and empowered to find the best path forward for you. There is no expectation for how you are supposed to feel when you come in for sessions. Whether you need space to tell your story or relaxation and breathing techniques to help relieve stress and tension, I’ll meet you where you’re at in your healing journey.

Throughout our work together, I’ll draw from a range of scientifically supported trauma treatment approaches adapted to your unique needs. These may include emotional regulation, internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and somatic therapy as well as mindfulness techniques and psychoeducation around how trauma affects the brain and body. I understand that what works for one person may not work for you, so we’ll focus on identifying and building on your innate strengths and interests to help you heal yourself in and out of sessions. If you enjoy nature or art or sports, for example, we’ll look to those passions so you can learn to let your mind relax and express yourself in the right way for you.

By helping you gain awareness of the relationship between your body, heart, and mind, you can recognize how you respond to stress in the moment. And together we’ll practice concrete steps—such as breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and other tools and strategies—you can take to find relief in real time when you start to feel overwhelmed.

I have been helping individuals understand and overcome trauma and how it is impacting their lives throughout my entire counseling career. And I have seen that no matter how stressful or disconnected you may feel right now, it is possible to find relief and foster a greater sense of ease, a connection with your self; your own body, heart and mind and connection with others.  With the right guidance and support, you can reach your potential and envision a brighter, more hopeful future.

But you may still have questions about trauma therapy…

I’m worried that talking about my trauma with a therapist will only make things worse.

I will never push you to move faster or dig deeper than you are ready. By working together at a pace that is comfortable for you, we can explore the ways you’ve tried to cope in the past and find healthy solutions that work best for your unique needs and goals. You don’t have to white knuckle it or go through this alone. Regardless of how difficult things might seem right now, there is help when you’re ready.

Do you work with couples or families?

Certainly. When appropriate, it can be helpful to work together as a couple or family unit. Trauma can impact the whole family, and it can be a tremendous benefit when your partner or loved ones participate in treatment to learn how to support one another.

I should be strong enough to deal with this on my own; I don’t want to be a burden on my family.

Many of us find it natural to prioritize caring for others over ourselves. But that doesn’t work in the long-term, and being present with ourselves allows us to better care for others. The courage to explore and heal is about understanding why you’re angry or struggling or emotionally unavailable to your loved ones. By seeking treatment with a trauma counselor, you can find your strength and learn new ways to resolve the painful memories that have been holding you back.

You Can Find Relief And Live With Greater Peace

If you are ready to resolve the trauma and feelings of distress that have kept you stuck in place, I invite you to contact me at 808-351-5311 to schedule a free consultation call or to set up an initial therapy session.