What is trauma?

Trauma refers to any threatening or stressful experience that leaves us feeling helpless, overwhelmed, frightened, or deeply unsafe.  It can be a single event, like an accident or an assault; or a chronic experience, like childhood abuse or neglect, combat, or relationship violence.  Trauma impacts both mind and body. We are often left with a sense of mistrust, or of being unsafe in our own skin.  Overwhelming emotions and confusing physical sensations can persist long after the trauma is over.  No matter how many times we tell the story, the effects of trauma can remain inscribed in the body and the nervous system, preventing deep healing and challenging our efforts to move forward.

healing mind and body

In therapy, we will use a holistic and integrative approach to help you move from reliving the past to feeling grounded, present, and whole in mind and body.  Therapy can help you calm your nervous system and your mind, and safely practice new ways of being in relationships and in the world.  For those who have tried therapy before, yet still feel stuck, somatic approaches can provide a missing link, helping you tap into your innate capacity for healing and growth.  We may incorporate EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy--cutting edge approaches to trauma treatment that go beyond talk therapy to help you get unstuck from trauma--as well as psychodynamic approaches and mindfulness as we work together toward your goals.  We welcome survivors of all kinds of trauma, and have a special interest in working with women who are survivors of sexual abuse and assault.