Wherever You Are On Your Healing Journey, Welcome.

Are you considering trauma counseling because the emotions you are experiencing from a past event are so uncomfortable? You wish you could rewrite the script, erase all the horrible things that have happened, and start over. You may be feeling like you are just existing without any real and lasting joy. Do you find yourself always preparing for the worst case scenario? Always feeling tense and afraid to let your guard down?

Have you been experiencing unpredictable emotions of anxiety, depression, fear or anger? Are you having flashbacks to a real life experience that feels like you are watching a terrible movie that has gone all wrong?

Trauma is a lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of self, and the ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships.

Do you want to make a change but feel discouraged and overwhelmed? The thoughts and feelings attached to the traumatic event are very difficult to experience, maybe even more distressing than the event itself. Even when you think for a brief moment that maybe things will be okay, the memories pull you right back in and you feel like you’re being engulfed by the intense emotions that follow.

You’ve tried so many different ways to “get over it” and take back control. But it seems nothing works, or at least not for very long. It’s devastating to keep falling back into the past, when you’re trying so hard to be in the present and move forward in life.

Wondering If You’ve Really Experienced A Traumatic Event?

You might have experienced a single incident that was a deeply disturbing, life-threatening event or situation such as: war, a natural disaster, a violent crime, a school shooting, a serious accident, or rape. In addition, the death of a parent can also be a traumatic life event.

Or you may have experienced an accumulation of traumatic life events such as: physical/sexual/emotional  abuse, neglect, bullying, medical trauma, or intimate partner violence.

Trauma can be experienced as a single incident or repetitively over time. It affects the way you think, feel and react. And it influences the way you process information, and your connection with yourself and others.

Trust and Connection are the Foundation of Successful Trauma Counseling

As a trauma counselor, I understand that healing is not as simple as it sounds. It can feel like an unbearable burden as you work towards trauma survivor. I believe that control and choices are one of the most important parts of healing from an experience that was completely out of your control.

When you begin to talk about your trauma, you start to speak your truth that has been put away, hidden or pushed down. As you open the door to sharing your story with someone who has experience in working with trauma, you begin to change how you think and feel about your story. And that change can unlock a new perspective and solution, as well as coping skills that can lead to a sense of hopefulness for a better day.

I believe that the traumatic event you experienced and everything that has followed, is not your stopping point. But it is a temporary place in time that calls for your attention to find new ways of seeing yourself and new ways of coping. It also calls for courage to work through all that accumulated since the event.

What would you like to do with everything attached to your trauma? Do you want to keep feeling what’s been part of you since the event? Or do you want to explore ways how you can turn things around by putting the pieces together, in a stronger way than you were before.

In my professional opinion, the experience of building trust and connection in counseling, is one of the most important pieces in healing from trauma. According to The American Psychological Association, a good relationship is essential to help the client connect with, remain in and get the most from therapy.

The trust and connection starts with yourself and also extends to the therapist you choose to work with. In your work, you will find a new identity, moving from victim to survivor. A shift of feeling powerless to strength begins. This is where you start to reclaim your life back and real change begins.

Your Healing Journey Begins

Tired of feeling hopeless, less than, overwhelmed, and not good enough? These are just a few of the emotions trauma survivors feel before they start counseling. And these emotions can be replaced with self-worth, hope, strength, empowerment, joy, and more than good enough.

It takes strength to tell your story, and nobody is stronger than you. You’ve been able to live with a painful experience(s) and find a way to survive! I know that all of the uncomfortable feelings that accompany a survivor can be crushing, but you don’t need to continue to suffer.

Trauma Counseling Can Restore Inner Peace and Hope For A Better Tomorrow

If you feel tired of carrying your pain, flashbacks, low self-esteem, shame or sadness, it may be your time to rewrite the story you’ve been telling yourself, since the traumatic event. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. I will help you work through your pain from past events, and learn effective coping strategies that are specifically geared towards trauma.

My role is to help you recognize your strengths and wholeness. You are no too much or too emotional. You are not flawed or unlovable.

A key mantra I have my clients use are:

• I Am Enough
• I Matter
• I Am Significant
• I Am Lovable

I have deep respect for survivors of trauma, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of your healing journey, if you choose to work with me.

You May Have Some Questions About Trauma Counseling

What Type of Trauma Counseling Works Best?

There are so many different types of counseling for trauma. I understand that it can be very confusing to decide which type of counseling is right for you. Especially since the thought of opening up to someone is already difficult enough. Counseling is never a one size fits all approach, and this is true for trauma counseling.

In my work with trauma, I use an eclectic approach combining different theories and techniques that are geared towards empowering an individual. I help individuals learn how to manage and respond to stress in a more healthy way. And what to do when intrusive thoughts and feelings resurface.

As a trauma informed counselor, I have walked along side many individuals who experienced trauma. The goal in counseling is not to forget the trauma, but to learn how to move forward despite having a traumatic event(s).

Will I Always Have To Keep Talking About My Trauma In Session?

You will never be forced to talk or do anything you’re not comfortable with. I will meet you where you are on your journey, without judgement. Most people come to counseling because they are done with hiding, keeping secrets and having their trauma control their lives. People seeking trauma counseling are usually ready to regain the ability to speak their truth.

Telling your trauma story is just the beginning of healing. In sessions, we’ll cover topics of: what to do when you feel flooded with emotions, how to stop a panic attack, boundaries and healthy relationships, being in the present moment, and sometimes just every day-to-day stuff.

Although starting counseling seems difficult, most people have told me that I am easy to talk with, they never feeling judged or less than, and know that I really want all the best for them.

You Can Heal From Trauma

If you are ready to reclaim your life back from trauma, I invite you to contact me at (631) 406-3139 to schedule your initial session or a free 15-minute consultation. It would be my privilege to speak with you and discuss how I can help you.