Trauma is an emotional, physical and mental response to adverse life events. Events in themselves are not inherently traumatic; trauma is determined by how our system processes, organizes, and responds to events. When we experience something as traumatic, it changes how we view ourselves, and how we view and participate in the world. 

Trauma can be acute, in response to a single incident; chronic, meaning one type of trauma ongoing for an extended period of time; or complex, meaning multiple types of trauma over an extended period of time. Complex trauma usually occurs during childhood and often has severe impacts into adulthood. 

One form of childhood trauma is attachment wounding. Ideally in childhood our caregivers are able to meet our physical and emotional needs. When our emotional needs (safety, connection, love, attunement) are not met, we develop attachment wounds. Because we are children, we cannot understand our caregivers' struggles and we naturally blame ourselves for this. We may feel unsafe in the world, not good enough, like there's something wrong with us, incapable, etc. We may have to focus all of our efforts on getting our emotional needs met by pleasing, changing who we are, hiding our emotions, or becoming smaller in order to hide or larger in order to be seen. If we do all of this, and still our needs aren't met, we are likely to shut down/dissociate, run away, or fight. These are normal responses to dysfunctional environments. However, as adults who no longer live in these environments, we have the opportunity to heal these wounds.

Certain types of therapy can help to heal from past traumas. Methods like EMDR and IFS allow us to work with stuck parts in order to release traumas stored in our physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies.

Internal Family Systems was developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz over the last 30 years. It holds the view that we all have a core Self and a system of inner parts that make us who we are. Parts take on roles based on what we have experienced in our lives, and like external families, sometimes our internal family system does not feel harmonious. IFS sees all of our inner parts as valuable, and the goal of this therapy is allow our core Self to help us heal in order to feel more integrated and whole. IFS can be helpful in working with any therapeutic goal. I would love to tell you more about this transformative therapy!

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Trauma Therapy

EMDR is a trauma treatment therapy that helps people process trauma and disturbing life experiences. We are constantly taking in and processing daily experiences. Most of the time, our system processes and integrates unpleasant experiences so that we have a memory of the experience but it does not carry an intense emotional charge. However, sometimes disturbing experiences get stuck in our brain instead of processing properly. When this happens, the disturbing experience may feel like it is still with us every day, bringing up the same feelings, images, and thoughts as it did when it first happened. EMDR activates the brain's natural system of information processing in order to uncouple memories from the upsetting feelings, thoughts, and images that accompany them. EMDR is an evidenced-based approach and recommended treatment for healing PTSD from traumatic events.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a music listening system designed by Dr. Stephen Porges to stimulate the vagus nerve and help the nervous system move into a more calm and socially engaged state. This has proven to be very helpful in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in my clients. To read more about this: https://www.whatisthessp.com/

I offer access to this service for free as long as clients are attending regular weekly or biweekly therapy sessions with me. 

When appropriate, and with consent, I will integrate practices from my shamanic training in order to support therapeutic outcomes. These include:

Shamanic journey or visualization work: using spirit guide support to journey into higher consciousness with a clear intention or question. This state is often accessed through drumming or rattling. Client may engage in the journey or the therapist may journey for the client, depending on client's readiness for the work. If client is journeying, therapist will hold the container for the journey.

Channeling: Therapist may act as channel to bring forth helpful information from therapist’s or client’s guides and helpers. Client may also access spirit guides and channel for themselves using processes like journeying or automatic writing.

Mediumship: Therapist may access a deceased loved one, relative, or friend of the client to bring forth a healing message. In some cases, psychopomp work may be provided, where therapist helps a deceased soul to cross over to the afterlife.

Energy Work: Therapist may move energy on or around client’s body. Therapist will always ask for consent to touch client’s physical or energy body.