People often do not understand that difficult experiences can be stressful and traumatic.
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f you have a hard time managing life and relationships you may have experienced trauma. You may have experienced childhood abuse, either sexual, physical, or emotional, lived in a home with domestic violence or an angry parent that made you fearful, had sudden experiences of loss or death, had a parent who suffered from a mental illness, or grew up in an alcoholic family.
Recovery from these types of experiences is a challenging, intricate journey, but one that also becomes more manageable with time, commitment, and support. When people experience trauma, they are often left in a state of panic, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, anxiety, or fear. These are natural responses to significantly difficult events that negatively affect a person’s worldview and security, as well as leave a person feeling anxious and dis-empowered.
Severe stress is a natural and expected response to trauma. It can manifest itself in the form of anxiety or terror, depression, nightmares, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, poor eating habits, lack of focus. It can also significantly impact quality of life and relationships. It is possible to experience these symptoms from the time of the original event until years after the trauma occurred.
Some traumatic events are life threatening and involve physical harm, however any situation that leaves you feeling frightened, fearful, alone, helpless, and unsafe is traumatic. These experiences are real and should not be minimized.
In my practice, I have worked with many people who have suffered in these ways. I will provide you with support, help you to tell your story, offer compassion, and hopefulness. I will enable you to process what you are ready to disclose and encourage you to go at your own pace. Over time you will be able to reduce the level of pain that you feel, recover from what you have been through, and go on to lead a more satisfying life.