Trauma Treatment

Sometimes, even talking about or thinking about traumatic events or situations can be challenging. I am happy to meet you where you are at in this process, whether that be building skills to manage and decrease PTSD symptoms, or diving in to explore how trauma has impacted you and what your goals are for healing.

Many of my clients have said that their trauma has left them feeling out of control, ashamed, unworthy, and often times, just plain scared. Perhaps childhood traumas have led you to feel as though it’s difficult to trust others, as though your feelings are invalid, or as though you don’t matter. Or, maybe you’ve experienced an isolated traumatic event that has left you feeling fearful, on edge, stuck in a cycle of self-blame, or avoidant of certain people or things. The reality is that you are not alone in feeling this way, and that your response is completely normal and natural. Many studies have proven that traumatic events can impact the way the brain is functioning; put simply, your brain wants to adapt to these high-stress circumstances so that it can keep you safe. This often results in hypervigilance (or feeling easily startled or on edge), irritability, anxiety, worry, and fear.

This is where therapy comes in. In our work together, I will support you to gain insights into how your traumatic experiences may have impacted you, to learn to better manage and cope with any trauma symptoms, and to make changes moving forward so that you are living in a way that feels happy and fulfilling for you. This work is done in a timeframe that makes sense for you, and I am right there with you through the work to ensure that you’re not alone.

I have extensive experience working with trauma, and use evidence-based modalities such as EMDR and TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help individuals heal from the traumatic events that have happened to them, allowing them to move forward to live with a greater sense of connection and empowerment. I believe that everyone deserves a private and safe place to explore these struggles, and genuinely believe that healing is possible. I am available to provide in-person trauma counseling in South Portland, ME, and virtually across the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and Florida.