Move past your past
Trauma therapy in Santa Cruz & Across CA
Life is not what you expected.
When we experience trauma it flows into every area of our lives.
You've noticed patterns in your life & relationships and you can't figure out why you respond and feel the way you do. Other people seem to be enjoying life, why can’t you?
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, numb or on high alert takes its toll and you are finding it hard just to keep up.
You feel alone in your experience, other people don't get you. You want things to be different, but you just don't know where to begin.
It’s like you can never QUITE be yourself.
Maybe you’re struggling with...
Unending stress making it hard just to get through the day
Strong emotions sidelining you in life
Avoiding distressing situations making your life smaller & less fulfilling
Relationship difficulties leading to unfulfilling connections, difficulty saying no or standing up for your needs
Lack of self-confidence causing you to hold back & not pursue your goals or follow your dreams
Constant strain which is affecting your physical & mental health
Post-traumatic growth is possible.
Therapy can help.
Trauma therapy will…
Teach you skills to reduce your symptoms
Assist you in fostering resilience to overcome your trauma & future challenges
Improve your self-confidence
Support you to develop authentic communication for healthier relationships
Equip you with increased self-awareness, understanding yourself on a deeper level
Empower you to thrive, not just survive
Through this process you’ll write a new story, one where trauma doesn’t define you.
I recognize that every person’s story is unique and ultimately you are the expert in you. So while I will bring my expertise, please know that your comfort level will always direct our work together.
I draw on my nursing and therapy training to provide you with science-based skills to calm down your nervous system quickly, tap into compassion for motivation & resilience, and harness your inner strengths to do what matters most to you. We will also explore whether sleep, social connection, restorative time, nutrition or movement may be impacting your healing and overall well-being.
I utilize multiple therapeutic modalities in my approach, as therapy for trauma is not a one size fits all experience. My approach focuses on body-to-brain and brain-to-body interventions for the most effective treatment. In our work together, we may pull from EMDR-FLASH, ACT, DBT, neuroscience, Compassion, Polyvagal and other body-based interventions, Attachment-based interventions, as well as Positive Psychology. I tailor your therapy experience to meet your unique needs.
Here’s what we’ll do together
Let me be your guide to post-traumatic growth.
Imagine a life where you…
Feel at ease in your life
Trust yourself & confidently overcome challenges
Enjoy improved relationships & self-esteem
Experience improved physical and mental health
Incorporate trauma healing into your life story in a way that highlights growth & transformation, rather than difficulty & hardship
Trauma doesn’t define you
Trauma doesn’t have to define you.
Questions?
FAQs
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Trauma is an emotional response caused by a distressing or disturbing event or series of events that overwhelms our ability to cope effectively. Trauma can result from life-threatening, frightening or overwhelming experiences and can lead to a sense of helplessness, fear, or shock.
Trauma is a complex and deeply personal experience, and its symptoms can vary widely among individuals. Recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate support and treatment are essential steps toward healing from trauma.
Trauma is often broken down into different types of trauma including:
PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a (usually) single overwhelming, scary, or dangerous event. People experience a range of reactions after trauma and most people recover from the initial symptoms over time. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD.
C-PTSD/Complex trauma
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder refers to the presence of symptoms after experiencing prolonged, repeated trauma. Complex trauma often stems from trauma and chronic stress in childhood.
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The symptoms of trauma can vary depending on the individual and the type of trauma experienced. Common symptoms of trauma include:
Flashbacks, nightmares, persistent thoughts/memories about the trauma.
Avoiding reminders of the trauma
Emotional numbing
Persistent negative mood and thoughts
Difficulty concentrating
Sleep disturbances
Physical responses such as rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, headaches
Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD or severe symptoms. However, if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, seeking professional help from a therapist trained in trauma treatment can be beneficial.
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Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes that occur as a result of struggling with and overcoming adversity or trauma. PTG suggests individuals can experience personal growth, transformation, and positive changes following a traumatic event. PTG does not negate the distress or challenges caused by the trauma, but acknowledges that individuals can experience growth and positive outcomes alongside the negative effects.
Therapeutic interventions that focus on nervous system change, meaning-making, and developing resilience all facilitate the process of post-traumatic growth.
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Trauma can have a significant effect on the brain, particularly in areas involved in emotional management, memory processing, and the stress response.
Understanding how trauma affects the brain is a critical part of trauma-informed care. Therapeutic interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), body-based approaches, mindfulness skills and compassion practices can help reduce the neurological impacts of trauma and promote recovery & healing.
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Trauma can be effectively treated and managed through various treatment approaches, leading to significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life for individuals affected by trauma. The goals of trauma treatment are tailored specifically to the individual's experiences, symptoms, and needs.
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I am dually trained in nursing and therapy, which provides me with a deeper understanding of general health issues, along with my passion for neuroscience and the potential impact on mental health.
My approach to trauma care focuses on body-to-brain and brain-to-body interventions for the most effective treatment. Together we will also explore whether sleep, social connection, restorative time, nutrition or movement may be impacting your trauma recovery.
My therapy approach is integrated, considering both physical and mental health factors and focuses on lasting change.
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