Sometimes past experiences feel unbearable to think about.

I have had the fortune of walking along the journey with clients healing from trauma including sexual assault, molestation, medical trauma, severe physical abuse, and severe emotional abuse. I have a deep admiration for those that work towards healing past traumas and facing previously unbearable levels of pain.

It’s hard to write a section on trauma because traumatic experiences so often transcend words. There is often times no way to adequately describe the pain, anguish, and torment that can accompany trauma.

I have been especially moved by how the therapist Diana Fosha describes “undoing the unbearable aloneness” of trauma. My approach to trauma involves a combination of psychoanalytic, attachment-oriented, and behavioral techniques, always placing an emphasis on safety and two-way emotion regulation. In therapy, I see my responsibility as walking along the path with you, leading when it feels helpful, and letting you lead when it feels helpful. Because trauma always involves a loss of being in control and disempowerment, I see it as critically important that you feel empowered in therapy. As an example, I have worked with many clients that initially felt like they were “supposed” to talk about the trauma, but really didn’t feel ready yet. I let the client know that we can talk about the trauma when it feels right and we can also talk about other parts of life. My clients then feel a sense of empowerment that contributes to healing.

We can talk more about what you’re looking for in therapy during a free phone consultation. Please note that while you can certainly tell me about current or past trauma, this is by no means a requirement and often times I work with clients that disclose past traumas later on in therapy once they feel a substantial amount of trust.