Maddie Lukens MA, LPC

Life is difficult. Experiencing trauma, whether you recall specific events or not, makes it more difficult. My aim in working together in trauma therapy is to help you find resolve and work through difficult experiences in a safe environment, within a safe relationship. Our work together will be trauma informed and we will work at the pace you set. I weave in polyvagal theory, nervous system regulation, somatic techniques, narrative therapy, and mindfulness to help you fully recover from trauma.

Brainspotting is a body-brain based processing technique that was developed out of EMDR. It's an effective, evidence-based tool designed to help you move through painful experiences quickly. Together we will identify a "brainspot" and assist your nervous system in working through the difficult experiences that arise. Brainspotting is spectacular because we can change anything at anytime, giving you the full freedom to direct your experiences, preventing you from being overwhelmed by the process.

IFS or "parts work" is a mindful processing technique we can use in our work together. With IFS work it will take a few sessions to establish a dynamic that we can revisit and help your system of parts work together in harmony instead of disharmony. If you often feel at odds internally, or find that there are various parts of yourself that want different things, parts work may be a therapeutic approach that is helpful for you.

Feeling dysregulated is a challenging way to go through life. Whether you experience anxiety chronically or acutely, together we will identify tools to help minimize the impact. Using body-brain based techniques alongside mindfulness, we will work together to leave you feeling empowered instead of run-down by your experiences of anxiety. Feeling regulated, calm, and grounded should be the norm, not the other way around.

I define trauma as anything your body or brain is not prepared to handle. When life hands us harmful experiences, we often experience an internal disconnect - maybe your body is responding one way while your brain is responding a different way - this divergence often leaves you feeling triggered, overwhelmed, or stuck in fight or flight. Together we will work through the trauma at a pace you set, helping your symptoms resolve so you can live fully again. I utilize Brainspotting to help you heal.

The perinatal period - from conception through the years postpartum is a tender and delicate time. I have special training from Postpartum Support International that has equipped me to tailor treatment to support birthing people and partners of birthing folks in navigating the unexpected. Whether it's infertility, loss, postpartum anxiety/depression or difficulty adjusting to a changing family, getting specialized support in the perinatal period is a non-negotiable.