Many adults carry the effects of early or overwhelming experiences long after the events themselves have passed.
Even when life looks "fine" on the outside, trauma can show up as:
- Chronic anxiety or emotional reactivity
- Feeling easily overwhelmed or shut down
- Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
- Persistent self-criticism or shame
- A sense of being stuck, on edge, or disconnected
- Strong reactions that feel out of proportion to the present moment
These patterns are not signs of weakness — they are signs of a nervous system that learned to protect you.
How trauma-focused therapy helps
Trauma isn't stored only as a story you remember — it's held in the body and nervous system. That's why insight alone often isn't enough to create lasting change.
Trauma-focused therapy works by:
- Supporting nervous system regulation
- Processing experiences that remain "unresolved"
- Reducing emotional reactivity and physiological stress responses
- Increasing a sense of safety, agency, and internal stability
The goal is not to relive the past — it's to help your system recognize that the danger has passed.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy for trauma and adverse life experiences.
EMDR helps the brain:
- Reprocess distressing memories
- Reduce emotional intensity tied to past experiences
- Integrate memories in a way that feels less overwhelming
- Free up energy previously used for survival and protection
Many clients notice changes such as:
- Less emotional charge around old memories
- Fewer triggers or faster recovery after being triggered
- Increased calm and clarity
- Greater flexibility in relationships and daily life
EMDR is structured, collaborative, and paced carefully. You remain in control throughout the process.
My approach
My work is grounded in a deep understanding of how early experiences shape emotional regulation across the lifespan.
In adult trauma therapy, I focus on:
- Safety and stabilization first
- A body-based, nervous-system-informed approach
- Moving at a pace that feels manageable and respectful
- Supporting both emotional processing and present-day functioning
Many adults I work with are parents or caregivers themselves and want to understand how their own history may be influencing stress, relationships, or parenting. This work is often about creating more choice — not perfection.
Who this work is for
Adult trauma therapy may be a good fit if you:
- Have a history of childhood trauma, neglect, or chronic stress
- Feel emotionally reactive or easily overwhelmed
- Struggle with anxiety, shame, or persistent self-doubt
- Want to break long-standing patterns that no longer serve you
- Are seeking trauma-informed care that is thoughtful and contained
You do not need a single "big" trauma for this work to be helpful.
What to expect
Trauma therapy is not about forcing memories or pushing through distress.
Sessions may include:
- Building regulation skills and internal resources
- Identifying patterns connected to past experiences
- EMDR processing when appropriate
- Integration and reflection
You set the pace. The work unfolds gradually and intentionally.
Getting started
If you're interested in adult trauma therapy or EMDR, I invite you to reach out to discuss whether this approach is a good fit for you.
In addition to adult trauma therapy, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and parents using a regulation-focused, developmentally informed approach.