Trauma Therapy

Do You Need Support For Overcoming A Traumatic Experience?

Are you stuck, unable to move forward with your life because of a painful experience or event in your past? Do you struggle with:

Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares that feel inescapable
Negative thoughts or beliefs, self-criticism, or low self-worth
Hypersensitivity, irritability, anxiety, or emotional numbness

Perhaps you feel surrounded by reminders of the trauma, making it hard to let your guard down and fully live in the present. Despite this, maybe you brush off your feelings, telling yourself, "Others have it worse," or "I’m just overreacting."

Recognizing How Trauma Affects You Isn't Always Easy

You may feel emotionally distant from loved ones for seemingly no reason. You may start to avoid people, places, or activities that could stir up memories of the past. The fear and worry can put you constantly on edge so you’re always expecting the worst, which wears at your sense of safety and peace of mind.

Connecting to others becomes increasingly difficult as you struggle with trusting people and their motivations. Over time, the stress and pain can convince you that life will never get back on track, leaving you unmotivated to pursue even the things that once brought you joy.

With me as your therapist, I want you to know that healing from trauma is possible. You don’t have to stay stuck in the past.

Using my unique approach to trauma therapy, I believe you can work through your pain and reclaim a sense of peace and fulfillment in your life. I’m here to guide and support you on this path toward feeling safer, happier, and more in touch with your best self.

“Trauma Is A Fact Of Life. It Does Not, However, Have To Be A Life Sentence.” — Dr. Peter Levine

Trauma can come in two main forms: “Big T” and “Little t.” Big T trauma involves significant events that overwhelm your nervous system, such as a severe accident, witnessing violence, or enduring sexual abuse or natural disasters. These kinds of events tend to leave a lasting emotional mark, keeping you on high alert and constantly bracing for danger.

Meanwhile, “Little t” trauma is often more subtle but equally impactful over time. These experiences might include growing up in a dysfunctional household, facing emotional neglect, going through a tough breakup, or living with chronic illness. Though it may not seem as intense in the moment, the accumulation of emotional pain can leave deep wounds, often affecting self-worth and long-term emotional health. In fact, repeated exposure to “Little t” traumas can sometimes have more lasting effects than a single significant event.

When Trauma Becomes Too Much To Handle

Trauma occurs when an event overwhelms your ability to cope, and as a protective mechanism, your mind may push away or suppress the painful memories. However, your body continues to store the tension and emotional impact of the trauma until it’s fully processed.

This can lead to avoidance behaviors, where you steer clear of anything that might bring back those difficult emotions. Though avoiding these situations may bring temporary comfort, in the long run, it limits your personal growth and makes it difficult to build meaningful relationships.

This is where trauma therapy comes in—it offers a safe space for you to explore and process your experiences, giving you the chance to release the burden and move forward with your life. Therapy allows you to face your trauma in a secure, supportive environment, helping you escape the past and regain control of your future.

Trauma Therapy Can Help You Finally Heal And Reclaim Your Life

Trauma and PTSD can make the world seem like a scary place, filled with threats even when you should feel safe, so it’s understandable if you’re worried about working with a therapist. However, therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your emotions, process past traumas, and gain insights into how your experiences have shaped you.

With my personalized, integrative approach to counseling—using modalities like EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems—you'll have the chance to reconnect with your body, release stored tension, and heal emotional wounds. I want to help you cultivate resilience, foster self-compassion, and take real steps toward building the life you want for yourself.

Stage 1: Gaining Insight & Psychoeducation

In the beginning, trauma therapy can feel overwhelming as you start to confront emotions and sensations that may be unfamiliar. That’s why, during this stage, I’ll provide psychoeducation to explain that the symptoms you're feeling are common and expected responses to traumatic events. As we move through the process, I’ll help you understand the reasons behind the emotions that surface and guide you through how different interventions can assist your healing.

Stage 2: Resourcing & Self-Connection

Resourcing is one of the more uplifting phases of trauma therapy where we use mindfulness-based activities to help bring balance to your nervous system. The goal is to help you feel more connected to your body and anchored in the present. Depending on your needs, we’ll either focus on calming techniques if you're feeling anxious or stimulating activities if you're feeling depleted.

The primary trauma treatment methods I use include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

EMDR therapy for trauma and PTSD helps regulate your nervous system through bilateral stimulation—this may involve guided eye movements or gentle hand taps, paired with imagery exercises to help you regain emotional stability.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy uses your body as a grounding tool, exploring postures, movements, or breathing techniques to foster a sense of calm and centeredness.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy works to identify different parts of yourself that carry your trauma through memories, thoughts, and emotions. Together, we’ll work to understand how these parts are trying to protect you and what they need in order to heal and become whole.

Perhaps You’re Considering Trauma Therapy But Still Have Concerns…

I don’t remember my trauma very clearly. Why should I address it?

It’s okay if the details of your trauma feel foggy or distant. You don’t need a clear recollection to heal. As Peter Levine wisely says, “You don’t have to know the facts of your story to be able to reprogram the symptoms or outcomes.”

Our goal isn’t to unearth every memory; instead, we focus on what your body has held onto—those deep, physical survival instincts and emotions that were frozen in time. Therapy can help you release that trapped energy, easing the emotional and physical toll without needing to relive the exact memories.

Can I still have trauma if my childhood felt pretty normal?

Trauma is less about what happened and more about how your body and nervous system reacted. Even when experiences seem benign or routine, they can leave a lasting impact. By exploring and working with your past in a safe and supported way, you can unburden yourself of unhelpful somatic or psychological responses and discover a healthier, more fulfilling way of living.

I’m really scared of reliving the trauma.

It’s completely understandable to feel that way, and that’s why we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you. There’s no rush in this process. We’ll approach things one step at a time, giving the deeper parts of your brain—the instinctual, survival parts—enough time to fully process.

Before we dive into any trauma work, we’ll spend significant time grounding your nervous system, ensuring that all parts of you are comfortable and ready, from the part eager for healing to the part that’s more hesitant.

Discover A More Grounded And Peaceful Way Of Living

Therapy helps you reconnect with your authentic self, the person you were before trauma shaped your experiences. If a past event still influences how you live, trauma therapy at Higher Self Psychotherapy can guide you toward living more joyfully. To begin, simply contact me to schedule a video consultation.