Understanding Trauma

& the Path to Healing

Trauma is more than just difficult experiences—it's when life events overwhelm our natural ability to cope, leaving lasting imprints on our mind, body, and spirit.

What is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to distressing events that overwhelm your ability to cope. It can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms. Trauma isn't just about what happened to you—it's about how your body and mind respond to those experiences.

Trauma is: A subjective experience to an unexpected, unprepared for, perceived threat to life or bodily harm of oneself or another, in which one’s normal coping mechanisms are overwhelmed, leaving one feeling disconnected and hopeless. Dr. Miles Neale, Gradual Path, Module 2

Trauma can arise from:

  • Single traumatic events

  • Ongoing stressful situations

  • Childhood experiences

  • Witnessed events

  • Generational and cultural trauma

Signs of Trauma

Physical responses:

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Heightened startle response

  • Physical tension or pain

  • Changes in appetite

  • Unexplained health issues

Emotional responses:

  • Anxiety and hypervigilance

  • Emotional numbness

  • Difficulty with relationships

  • Overwhelming emotions

  • Feeling disconnected from self

Our Evidence-Based Approach

We integrate multiple proven modalities:

Somatic (Body-Based) Healing

  • Nervous system regulation

  • Body awareness techniques

  • Release of stored trauma

  • Mindfulness practices

  • Trauma-sensitive movement

EMDR Therapy

  • Processing traumatic memories

  • Reducing emotional charge

  • Building resilience

  • Integration of experiences

Attachment-Focused Work

  • Healing relationship patterns

  • Building secure connections

  • Understanding attachment styles

  • Developing self-trust

The Science Behind Healing

Modern neuroscience shows that trauma healing requires:

  • Nervous system regulation

  • Emotional processing

  • Somatic awareness

  • Safe relationship experiences

  • Integration of experiences

Your Path to Recovery

Healing from trauma is possible. Our approach:

  • Moves at your pace

  • Respects your boundaries

  • Builds on your strengths

  • Creates lasting change

  • Promotes whole-person healing

Schedule a consultation to begin your healing journey in a safe, supportive environment.

My Approach

 

My own approach to working with clients with trauma histories is multi-dimensional.

It includes, as needed, resourcing or learning specific strategies for connecting to and calming the nervous system. This is informed by polyvagal theory and the work of both Stephen Porges and Deb Dana.

It also includes somatic inquiry and trauma-sensitive mindfulness techniques that create more safety in the body and mind. This may include attachment-focused modalities if needed.

My approach has recently included a combination of EMDR with Parts Work or Integrative Somatic Parts Work.

EMDR therapy is very helpful in desensitizing memories of both single event trauma and more complex trauma histories in children, adolescents and adults.

Healing from trauma is possible.