I’m a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and specialize in trauma-informed care. I look for and treat trauma in a unique way. Together, we’ll identify the painful experiences from your past that impact your present and constructively deal with them.
Defining Trauma
According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event. Trauma can result from loss of control, helplessness, confusion, grievous loss, pain, or abuse of power. It can be a one-time incident or an ongoing experience – big or small.
After a traumatic event, you may experience shock, extreme grief, and denial. Later down the road, symptoms can include flashbacks, nausea, headaches, intense anger or fatigue, unpredictable emotions, or strained relationships. It can be hard to move on from what happened.
Trauma may make you feel helpless and powerless, but you’re not. Maybe you experienced a toxic relationship, emotional or sexual abuse, a car accident, or unbearable loss. Traumatic events can feel incredibly overwhelming.
Working with a Trauma Therapist
I can help you move past the effects of trauma and into a place of healing. EMDR is a highly effective form of therapy to help clients process and deal with trauma. I’ll help you answer those lingering questions of WHY that keep dragging you down.
Learn more about EMDR as a therapy technique.
Types of Trauma
There are three main types of trauma.
1. Acute Trauma
Acute trauma typically results from a single highly distressing event, such as an assault, rape, natural disaster, or accident. The event can threaten your physical and emotional security and create a lasting impact on you.
2. Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma occurs when someone is exposed to prolonged or recurring traumatic events over time. Examples include a severe illness, an abusive relationship, bullying, and domestic violence.
3. Complex Trauma
Complex trauma occurs because of multiple and varied traumatic experiences, typically connected to relationships. Survivors of neglect, childhood abuse, family disputes, and domestic violence may experience the symptoms of complex trauma, impacting their health, performance (at work, school, etc.), and relationships.
Learn how therapy works and how to get started.
Sexual Abuse
If you’ve experienced any type of sexual abuse or have been in an abusive relationship, know that you’re not alone, and what happened to you was NOT your fault. No matter what occurred or is still occurring, therapy is a safe, confidential space to unload and get the help you need.
Childhood Trauma
The SAMHSA found that more than two-thirds of children experience a traumatic event by the time they turn 16. The impact of childhood trauma, however, can last well into adulthood. Traumatic events may include:
- Abuse
- Exploitation
- Neglect
- Violence
- Sudden loss
- Military family-related stressors
- An accident
- A serious illness
- Bullying
- Natural disasters
If you experienced a traumatic event (or events) as a child, there’s hope for you. Therapy can help you recover from the trauma you experienced in your childhood.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that you may experience after a scary or deeply threatening event. The shock of what you experienced may make it difficult to live normally.
You may experience insomnia, painful emotions, flashbacks, or low self-esteem. Your memories may cause you to relive a traumatic event over and over, or you may lose your memory of the event completely (WebMD).
Seeing a therapist can be an effective treatment for PTSD. Counseling may help you lessen your symptoms, restore your confidence, and teach you new skills that help you deal with PTSD healthily and productively.
Start Talking with a Trauma Therapist
I would love to help you heal and recover from distressing experiences you’ve had so you can move forward and lead a life you love. I offer both in-office (in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas) and telehealth options (in Colorado and Minnesota). However, I encourage my clients to do deeper trauma work in person.
If you’re looking for a therapist to help you deal with PTSD, sexual trauma, childhood trauma, or any other distressing event that has impacted your life, please reach out and schedule a free consultation with me to get started.