Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

I have specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness Practices, and Post-Induction Therapy.

As a daughter of a Holocaust survivor who has actively worked on promoting an awareness of the impact of the Holocaust and its relevance to today, I have been immersed in PTSD issues my entire life. My first volunteer position in the 1970s was as a rape crisis counselor. I was there at the beginning of beginning of the child abuse awareness movement. For many years I was an administrator of programs serving children and their families involved with abuse. About half of my practice involves adult survivors of child abuse.

I have experience working with clients who have significant trauma histories including physical, sexual, emotional, and/or verbal abuse. I assist clients in improving sleep, interpersonal relationships, low self-esteem and everyday functioning.

In trauma therapy, we will work on building coping skills first to manage intensive emotions. Then, we will use trauma focused CBT to work on irrational thoughts.

Whether you experienced prolonged abuse and neglect in childhood, survived an abusive relationship, or have experienced an acute traumatic event, I am here for you. Trauma affects the development of the brain and is stored in the body. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger and affect your life and especially your relationships. You may be confused about some of the ways that you move through the world. Together we can explore how your trauma uniquely affects you.

The intersection of marginalized identities and trauma shows up often in my practice. I like to work with queer people who want to integreate religion in their life (to whatever extent they feel comfortable doing so), but also want to work with queer people who have had negative experiences with religion. Processing trauma can be very powerful to help transform client's lives.

I started my career working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Later, working with children and teens in foster care who had experienced abuse and developmental trauma. I have been through multiple trainings focused on healing trauma (SERVE-brain model, ARC trauma treatment, TF-CBT, etc.) and am trained in somatic and attachment focused EMDR.

My experience working with PTSD is broad and includes many trauma informed modalities for healing from acute traumatic events as well as chronic trauma. Specifically focusing on how to get relief from ongoing distress resulting from complex trauma.

I am trained in EMDR(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to work with clients on PTSD or little "t" trauma. This modality has been proven to help desensitize trama responses. Most of us carry some trauma with us and don't realize how it effects us day to day. My work is to help you recognized when that happens by tracking the feelings in your body and giving you the tools to regulate your central nervous system.

Find out more about how I can help you with trauma via my specialty webpage: https://windingriverpsychotherapyservices.com/emdr-trauma-therapy

I offer trauma-informed care, and continually work to understand the widespread effects of trauma. I see value in attending to the impact of traumatic experiences and while also processing the emotional and cognitive injuries and pain resulting from the trauma. I have experience with several models of trauma treatment, including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy for Trauma.

Living with PTSD can be an incredibly challenging, overwhelming, and isolating experience. I am here for you. I will sit with you as you process the worst traumatic experiences of your life, hold space for all of your uncomfortable feelings and emotions, and offer you nervous system regulating techniques so you can continue the healing journey outside of sessions.

I have worked with many types of trauma and PTSD. I have helped people reclaim agency and confidence in their lives and over their bodies after sexual traumas, medical traumas, and physical injuries. I have also helped people make sense of the confusion in their lives that can arise from the trauma of abusive and neglectful caregivers in early life. Trauma robs you of your sense of self and of a sense of having a future that feels alive; I can help you to reclaim a sense of hope for your life.

Are past traumas still casting a shadow over your life? Every big and small experience leaves its mark. Perhaps it's time to set aside the defenses and let go of that guarded edge. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to embark on a journey of processing and healing.

I work with many individuals and sometimes with couples who may have had adverse childhood experiences (physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse), and integrate many ways of working to treat each person holistically. Using emotional-regulation techniques, mindfulness, art and expressive therapies, and insight-oriented exploration, we collaboratively address trauma and all the ways it might manifests.

I use a modality called Brainspotting. This is highly effective in reducing symptoms like anxiety, panic, and depression. Using a relational approach, and Somatic Psychotherapy, we take time to explore what's happening with you internally (in your nervous system) so you can learn how to stay calm and "regulated" when you feel triggered.

You don't have to be in a war to suffer from PTSD. Being exposed to harmful messaging, blame, emotional instability, neglect, or abuse can all lead to the development of PTSD. I have focused the last 6 years on guiding clients to find relief through the use of EMDR - focusing both on the active symptoms being triggered as well as the self-defeating ways we respond that prevent us from pursuing our values.

The Havening Techniques remove unwanted adverse responses to traumatic experiences. It also builds up your positive resilience to better equip you for potential future stressors or negative experiences!