Trauma

Something precious was stolen from you.

Maybe it was your sense of safety. Or your belief that there is any good in the world.

Maybe it was your sense of you.

Or maybe you don’t even have words for it.

Trauma robs us. It robs us from ourselves, blows our lives to pieces, and then banishes those pieces to places where they are very hard to find, let alone put back together.

Maybe your trauma happened a long time ago, maybe not so long ago. Maybe it was once and maybe it was repeated over a lifetime. Maybe you locked it all up in a chest in the bottom of your ocean and the last thing you want to do is take a peek in there because it feels like the kraken will swallow you up.
Whatever it is, you just don’t feel like you are all you.

Trauma does that. It is not fair, or right, or ok in any way.

You need life to be different. Maybe you even have the hope that it could be. You just know that you’re tired of living like this. Your loved ones may be concerned, you may not be showing up to what you need to show up to, maybe you feel angry and sad and lost and scared all the time. Maybe you don’t sleep.

Maybe you don’t know who you are.

Or maybe you’re pretending that it’s all fine. Your pieces are fine.
Except the pieces of you are
Not. Fine.

How I Can Assist

  • reduction in trauma-related symptoms

  • safe space to process traumatic events

  • understanding the impact of trauma on your thoughts, feelings, behavior, outlook, relationships, and way of being in the world

  • increase understanding of your nervous system

  • emotional regulation

  • identifying and expressing needs

  • increase awareness of reactions

  • rebuild self-trust

  • learn coping skills

  • reclaim your life

  • exit planning

The journey is never easy with trauma. You may feel that you will come through fire, and in a way, you will. But there is also the possibility of new growth, healing, and feeling whole. Like you.

There is fire and grit in you, too.

  • I started training in trauma in 2005, when I began working with the Rape Awareness and Assistance Program in Denver, Colorado. I provided individual and group therapy in trauma and became an expert in assisting survivors of sexual assault.

    Since then, I have gained expertise in assisting with other experiences of trauma, to include grief, harassment, oppression, racism, sexism, abuse, and professional (first responders, medical personnel, advocates for people who are incarcerated).

  • A trauma-informed approach to therapy prioritizes safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment. This means:

    • Your physical and emotional safety is prioritized and established.

    • We will help your nervous system to feel calmer.

    • I build trust with you.

    • We work together.

    • You have choice in treatment decisions.

    • You feel empowered in our work together.

    This approach recognizes the impact and disruption trauma can cause on your behavior, perspective, and mental health. We will work to build an understanding beyond just treating the symptoms of trauma and focus on your resilience to cope. I will be mindful of triggers and work to avoid any retraumatization. You will be seen as a whole person. We will find your pieces.