“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
Peter A. Levine
Trauma and EMDR
The word trauma can feel overwhelming, intimidating, and even lead to avoidance. Many people associate trauma with extreme events like war or natural disasters, but trauma isn’t defined by the magnitude of an experience, it’s the emotional and physiological impact that matters. Trauma occurs when we experience a real or perceived threat with no resolution. Even if we’re not consciously thinking about the event, our bodies remember. This can lead to subconscious survival responses, fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, triggered by situations that remind us of the past.
In response to trauma, we often develop survival strategies to protect ourselves, even long after the danger has passed. These coping mechanisms may include hyper-independence (feeling like you can only rely on yourself), emotional suppression (numbing or avoiding emotions), hyper-vigilance (constantly scanning for potential threats), or caretaking(prioritizing others’ needs over your own as a way to maintain safety). While these responses once served an important purpose, they can also lead to exhaustion, anxiety, relationship struggles, and a disconnection from your true self.
Healing from trauma requires developing a sense of safety, which can be fostered in an environment that’s grounded, supportive and compassionate. I offer a space where you can embrace the messy, uncomfortable aspects of healing without judgment. As a trauma-informed therapist, I prioritize the therapeutic relationship as a key part of the healing process. Through a compassionate and collaborative approach, I utilize EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and somatic-based modalities to help you reconnect with your body, process traumatic memories, and build resilience. I also like to balance out the heaviness of trauma work by incorporating moments of laughter.
If you’re ready to begin your trauma healing journey, I invite you to reach out and take the first step toward transformation.