Abuse

I worked at a non-profit for domestic and sexual violence survivors for the first several years of my career, wat which time I was trained in crisis counseling and safety planning. I now utilize these skills along with EMDR and other approaches to process various types of abuse.

I work with survivors of multiple types of abuse and people living with the impacts of these traumas.

I specialize in those who have experienced religious and or spiritual abuse or have left a high control group or cult.

I have a past working in child welfare in both a hospital setting and in the home. I attended multiple trainings through the GABI (Group Attached-Based Intervention) program.Through the program, I learned how to facilitate and promote healthy attachment between child and parent. Clients that participated in this program had difficulties with housing instability, mental illness, domestic violence, and other difficult life circumstances.

It's important for me to know what my client means by "abuse". Abuse can be traumatic & it's equally important to understand what about the abuse may be traumatic for my client. From there we can work on resolving the abuse (trauma). This work may involve: decreasing the uncomfortable to distressing symptoms you're experiencing; increasing the ability to stay in your comfort zone (regulated) when "triggered"; helping your body process the experience (experience lives in the body) to resolve it.

Abuse of any kind leaves lasting, and often invisible, wounds. When untreated, these wounds get passed through generations and spread through relationships despite our best attempts to stop the cycle on our own. If you are taking steps to actively heal your own wounds, you are not only healing yourself, but honoring the generations both before and after you, and protecting the relationships surrounding you now.

Addiction and Substance abuse can leave the person suffering depleted and despondent with their repeated use and failures at staying sober. I believe addiction is a disease, but that does not mean there is not hope and a chance for the addict to take the right steps needed in their life to conquer their demons.

Narcissist dick or controlling, manipulative behaviors in others is not acceptable. Finding safety, security oh, and a place to fully express your feelings invaluable. I conduct ongoing support groups for like-minded people in toxic relationships with unpredictable partners.

We work with many people who have experienced abuse, from physical abuse and neglect to domestic abuse to sex trafficking survivors and more. No matter what type of abuse you have experienced, the symptoms are the same as you body tries to protect you from further abuse across all environments and in your relationships with people. You can experience a fuller life and you can get through this. Call today!

I have worked extensively with survivors of all ages who have endured emotional, mental, spiritual, physical and sexual abuse. Often the abuse took place within the context of a relationship (e.g. parents, a trusted adult, family member or friend) resulting in sometimes severe struggles with trust of both themselves and others as well as self-worth and self-respect. I have walked along side many survivors to provide hope and healing.

Childhood trauma, emotional and physical neglect, bullying, violence and harassment, and the trauma of oppression experienced by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled folx interpersonally, institutionally and systemically; the ways we learn to survive in traumatic environments and relationships prevent us from becoming our true selves and keep us from fully contributing as members of our human community. Healing requires restoring one's dignity and agency, as well as honoring one's vulnerability.

I have worked extensively with child & adult survivors of emotional/physical/sexual abuse & violence. I am well versed in acute and post traumatic stress disorder and have developed and facilitated group curricula that focus on reducing isolation, guilt/shame and self-blame; building self-esteem, positive support systems and coping skills; and increasing a sense of mastery & personal empowerment. I am sensitive to guiding the process at a pace that feels most comfortable and safe to each person.

Abuses comes in many forms, toward the self, other, and the planet. I have extensive experience with narcissistic abuse, substance abuse, the misuse of psychedelics, eating disorders and verbal/emotional abuse.

Abuse messes with our brains and can even re-wire them. Trauma is your body doing its best to cope with abnormal, stressful, or long-lasting negative events, like abuse. Symptoms may include hyper-vigilance, nightmares, guilt, self-blame, becoming easily startled, isolation, decreased interests in activities, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, forgetfulness, and panic. Although the trauma symptoms can be overwhelming, there is hope for healing.

Abuse can be extremely difficult to bring up to your therapist and that's okay. You have control on when and how you want to open about this issue. I believe in creating safe space and having a connection with my clients is the start of the process.