Trauma Work & Somatic Experiencing®

Trauma is the result of an extraordinarily stressful event that shatters your sense of security, making you feel helpless and vulnerable. Some of the most effective work I’ve done has been with trauma.

Scary or overwhelming events trigger the nervous system to create enormous amounts of survival energy, preparing us for self-defense. This is our "fight, flight, or freeze" response. When we process such events fully, our nervous system can reset to a healthy state; however, if we do not have the opportunity to fully recover from such events, the survival energy can get stuck in our system, impeding our ability to self-regulate.

As a result, symptoms such as increased irritability and anger, confusion or difficulty concentrating, withdrawing from others, and feelings of sadness or hopelessness may appear. Physical symptoms such as fatigue, aches, pains, digestive issues, insomnia, and muscle tension might also be present.

The body contains the sum whole of our life experiences, most of which we cannot access with our conscious brains. Just talking about the trauma is not always enough. One of the most effective ways of processing and healing from trauma is to work with the body. I use Somatic Experiencing® techniques to work with trauma at its root, without re-traumatizing the individual. A session typically involves traditional talk therapy with a few differences: I help you get oriented to the present moment; track body sensations; and explore emotions, images, and memories as they arise.

When bad things happen, it can take time to get over the pain and feel safe again. Whether the event happened years ago, or yesterday, you can heal and move on with the right treatment and support.

Sexuality

I have training as a sex educator and counselor. I believe sexuality is an important component of self-expression, deserving of the attention given to other emotional issues. I understand that talking about issues surrounding sex can be extremely sensitive for many. My goal is to create a comfortable and safe environment for clients to explore issues of sexuality and gender expression, resolve and confront sexual problems, and improve sexual relationships and awareness.