Trauma

What trauma is

A frightening or overwhelming experience does not always stay in the past. It can show up later in your body, your mood, your sleep and your relationships.

Sometimes trauma comes from one event. Other times it builds slowly, from living through stress that goes on for months or years. Both are real, and both deserve care.

How it can show up

No two people react the same way. Some feel the effects right away. For others, the reaction surfaces weeks, months or even years later. You might notice:

• Emotional changes, such as irritability, quick mood swings, guilt or shame.
• Changes in your body, such as tension, lasting aches and pains, or poor sleep.
• Changes in your thinking, such as flashbacks, a hard time focusing, or constant worry.

Left alone, these reactions can start to wear on your work, your home life and the people close to you.

Where trauma can come from

• Sudden or shocking events. Accidents, disasters, medical crises and other tragedies.
• Harm from other people. Abuse, neglect or violence at home.
• Loss and change. Grief over a person, a relationship or a way of life that is gone.

How an event affects you depends on many things, including what happened, how your body responds to stress, the support you had around you, and your own inner strengths.

How I work with trauma

We start by making therapy a place where you feel safe. Nothing gets rushed. When you are ready, we work together on putting your experience into words, at your pace. Telling your story in a safe setting can take away some of the power it has held over you and help you see yourself and the world in a new light.

I draw on a few approaches and choose what fits you:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I am certified in this approach, which was built for children and teens who are dealing with the emotional and behavioral effects of trauma.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We look at the thoughts that keep you stuck and practice new, more balanced ways of thinking and coping.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Skills for handling strong emotions, balancing acceptance of where you are with steps toward change.
• A psychodynamic approach. We explore how past experiences shape the way you feel and relate to others today.

Most of my sessions happen online by secure video, so you can meet with me from anywhere in California or Idaho. In-person sessions are available at my office in San Fernando. I work in English and Spanish.

Why reach out now

Trauma can make it hard to enjoy your life, but it does not have to have the final word. With the right support you can work through painful feelings, feel more in control, and build a life that is not run by what happened. You can start with a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.