Trauma Therapy
In-person in Corvallis | Online therapy in Oregon
Events from the Past Can Ripple into the Present
Traumatic experiences can have effects that extend far beyond the original event. These ripples touch every aspect of life—relationships, work, sleep, and the ability to feel safe.
Our past traumas and stresses shape how we see the world, often creating patterns of hyper-vigilance, emotional numbing, or overwhelming reactions to everyday situations. A person might find themselves easily startled, struggling with intrusive memories or nightmares, or feeling disconnected from their body and emotions. Sometimes sounds, or even smells can suddenly transport someone back to difficult experiences, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Trauma responses aren't signs of weakness or brokenness—they're evidence of the mind and body's attempts to protect you from further harm. Millions of people carry the effects of traumatic experiences, and with specialized support, it's possible to heal and reclaim a sense of safety and wholeness.
Finding your Sense of Safety
Imagine moving through your day feeling more grounded in your body and more present in the moment, rather than frequently scanning for threats or reliving past experiences. Picture yourself sleeping more peacefully, waking more refreshed, and engaging in relationships with greater openness and less defensiveness. Consider what it would be like to:
Feel more safe and relaxed in your own body
Experience your emotions with greater acceptance and noticing less overwhelm
Form meaningful connections while reducing your fear of vulnerability
Handle stress and challenges with greater resilience
Sleep more soundly with fewer intrusive dreams and less hypervigilance
Engage in more activities that bring authentic joy and meaningful fulfillment
Trust your instincts while feeling more calm and centered
Create healthy boundaries that protect without reflexively isolating
These aren't unrealistic goals—they represent the kinds of healing that people experience when trauma's grip begins to metabolize. Through trauma therapy, countless individuals have moved from feeling overwhelmed by their past to feeling more empowered in their present.
The capacity for healing and growth is real, even when trauma makes it feel impossible to access.
Some common symptoms of trauma include:
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or vivid nightmares
Intense emotional or physical reactions to triggers
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
Hypervigilance or being constantly on guard for danger
Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Irritability, anger outbursts, or feeling easily startled
Problems with concentration or memory
Negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Feeling detached from your body
My Approach to Treating Trauma
I understand that trauma often leaves people feeling unsafe in their own bodies and disconnected from their sense of self. Rather than simply talking about traumatic experiences, I focus on helping clients rebuild their relationship with safety, both internally and in their environment.
In our work together, I prioritize creating a therapeutic space that feels genuinely safe and supportive. I've learned that healing from trauma requires more than just processing memories—it involves helping the nervous system learn that it's okay to relax and that you can trust your own capacity to handle difficult emotions.
My approach integrates specialized trauma therapies including Internal Family Systems (IFS) with mindfulness-based techniques and elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Beyond specific methods, I focus on helping clients:
Develop a sense of safety and grounding in their body
Learn to recognize and regulate nervous system responses
Process traumatic memories at a pace that feels manageable
Reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been shut down
Build healthy coping strategies for managing triggers
Restore their sense of personal power and choice
Reconnect with their values and what brings meaning to their life
I've witnessed the profound transformation that's possible when people feel truly seen and supported in their healing journey. The very survival skills that helped someone get through difficult experiences can be honored while also creating space for new ways of being in the world.
My goal is to help clients move from simply surviving to truly thriving, at a pace that feels right for them.
Healing doesn’t erase the past—it gives you your future
Getting Started
Trauma recovery is rarely linear, and everyone’s timeline is different.
What's most important is that healing happens at your own pace, with support that honors both your strength and your vulnerability.
-
We'll begin with a complimentary phone conversation where we can discuss your concerns and determine if therapy might be helpful for you. This gives you a chance to ask questions and get a sense of my approach in a low-pressure environment.
-
During our first session, we'll explore your history and current concerns at a pace that feels comfortable for you. This assessment helps me understand your unique experience and begin developing a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
-
Regular therapy sessions provide a consistent space to explore, process, and develop new tools and perspectives. Sessions are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly depending on individual needs and preferences.
We'll work together to build your sense of safety and stability before gradually processing difficult experiences, always respecting your natural healing timeline.
Your healing journey can begin with a conversation.
The hyper-vigilance, the flashbacks, and the need to stay on guard are evidence of how hard your mind and body have worked to keep you safe.
With the right support, that same adaptive capacity can help you create new patterns of safety and calm.