Seeking out support for the most difficult experiences of our lives is not an easy task, and I approach trauma and PTSD with a foundation of connection, safety, gentleness, respect for your autonomy, and unconditional compassion.

If you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), Autistic/ADHD, and/or Neurodivergent, you may feel more intensely and differently impacted by negative life experiences and trauma. Even more so when it comes to distress that comes from a mismatch between who you are and the environment you are in, which others may not have understood and validated at the time.

If you are a helping professional, healthcare worker, healer, first responder, or caregiver, you may also have unique experiences and more intense exposure to trauma. You may also be more intensely compassionate, giving, and made to feel overly responsible in these difficult environments.

I may utilize strengths-based, compassion-focused therapy, EMDR, and various evidence-based techniques adapted to neurodiversity-affirming practice to support you.

EMDR helps to process and resolve traumatic memories that keep us "stuck," and to strengthen positive, helpful beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world.

I am able to help with a variety of concerns related to trauma, such as:

-Complex Trauma (multiple traumatic events and/or prolonged exposure to trauma)

-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

-Childhood Trauma

-Relationship Trauma

-Traumatic Grief and Loss

-Sensory Trauma

-Neurodivergent Trauma

-Flashbacks

-Nightmares

-Chronic Depression & Anxiety

-Difficulties feeling pleasure, joy, happiness, drive, motivation

-Intrusive Memories

-Emotional, Physical, Psychological or Sexual Abuse/Trauma

-Witnessing Traumatic Events (e.g., domestic violence)

-Medical Trauma/Complications

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a possible result of trauma and specific trauma-related mental health diagnosis.

It is possible to experience trauma, and still have valid trauma that may benefit from support, without a PTSD diagnosis (which can be a limited view of trauma).

As a therapist, I prefer to define trauma by the completely overwhelming, shocking, world-shifting response that leaves us at a loss for words - and sticks with us.

PTSD (based on the DSM-5, or diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, which does not validate and affirm all experiences of traumatic stress) includes experiencing and/or witnessing a traumatic event, having intrusive symptoms (e.g., nightmares of the trauma, extreme distress from reminders of trauma, intrusive memories); changes in thoughts/mood (e.g., intense self-blame and guilt, strong negative beliefs about yourself, others, and the world, difficulty feeling pleasant emotions, detachment from others, difficulty remembering trauma); reactivity symptoms (e.g., easily startling, irritability, difficulty focusing, hypervigilance, sleep issues); avoidance symptoms (e.g., intense effort to avoid people, places, things, memories, thoughts, and feelings related to the trauma); and these symptoms must be present at least a month and lead to significant difficulties in your life.

In a nutshell: "EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). EMDR therapy has even been superior to Prozac in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that EMDR therapists in 130 countries have successfully treated millions." (EMDRIA)

A little bit about my background is that I worked as a therapist for 2.5 years in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programming, primarily with complex trauma, facilitated an LGBTQ+ sexual assault support group, volunteered as a crisis counselor for 3 years, and completed a year-long internship at Michigan Medicine in the Trauma/Grief clinic.

At this time, my therapy practice is primarily trauma therapy for highly sensitive and neurodivergent adults.

I have completed a variety of trainings in trauma treatment, including EMDR, which has been amazing for healing trauma, both personally and professionally. And at the same time, all of my work is heavily compassion-based and I will always respect your choices and match your pace for our work together.

I am EMDR-trained from an EMDRIA-approved provider, which means that I received at the minimum: 20 hours live instruction; 20 hours supervised practicum; and 10 hours consultation. Additionally, I choose to attend weekly consultation sessions to ensure that I continue to learn and grow as a therapist.

I am an LCSW, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which means that at a minimum I completed a four-year undergraduate degree; master of social work; a one-year internship; then, passed the Licensed Master Social Worker exam; completed at least two years of supervised, post-graduate clinical experience, for at least 3,000 hours and 100 supervision sessions; and passed the clinical social work exam.