Trauma-informed therapy is one that creates a nurturing space where you can explore your feelings, memories, and reactions in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Together, we work to help you feel grounded, empowered, and connected to your inner resources as we navigate through the challenges that trauma has brought into your life.

One powerful approach to trauma therapy is called Internal Family Systems (IFS). With IFS, we view your inner world as a community of different parts, each with its own thoughts, feelings, and roles. Some parts may hold the pain and memories of the trauma, while others may serve to protect you from further harm.

Through IFS, we gently explore these different parts of yourself with compassion and curiosity. We honor the protective parts that have helped you survive, even as we seek to understand and heal the wounded parts that hold the pain of the trauma. Through this process, we aim to reconnect you with the core of who you are—the Self—a place of calm, compassion, and clarity within you.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another powerful approach to working with trauma. It is a way of connecting the body and mind, and helping your brain unlock memories that were stored incorrectly. When we go through various traumatic events, our brain can get backed up like a computer. Just like a computer, it needs something to go in and help clear it out. EMDR is an effective way of “clearing out” those backed-up negative memories. 

Using something called bi-lateral stimulation (tapping, holding buzzers or following the therapists moving fingers with your eyes), you are able to help unlock these memories and bring them to the “surface” where your brain can better understand and process them.

The therapist will join you in moving through the 8 phases (at your pace) to assess any negative self-beliefs associated with the traumatic memory and instead replace it with a healthier, positive belief. An example of a negative belief associated with trauma is “I am unworthy of love”, and we would want to replace that with, “I am worthy and deserving of love.”

Through the 8 phases, we work to help you believe the positive belief instead, while processing any traumatic memories that have yet to be processed. The 8 phases have no specific timeframe and can be moved along at a speed that is most comfortable for you.

Before beginning processing, the therapist makes it a point to develop “resources” that you can use if the trauma ever feels too strong. A few examples of these resources are either imagining a “safe space,” “container,” or practicing deep breathing exercises.

For more information about EMDR please visit: https://emdr-training.net/what-is-emdr/

Through a trauma-informed approach to therapy, we create space for deeper healing and transformation. We honor your experiences and emotions with kindness and understanding, supporting you as you navigate the complexities of trauma and reclaim your sense of wholeness and resilience. Together, we embark on a journey of healing that honors your courage and strength, guiding you toward a brighter and more hopeful future.