• How do you define trauma? Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event. It results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing, overwhelming or feel life-threatening. It’s important to remember that what may be traumatic for one person may not be for another. It depends upon our perception of the event, so it is very individual.    

 

• How do I know if I have PTSD? Depending on the type of stressful event and your personal history, anxiety symptoms after a distressing event are common and may go away after a few weeks. When symptoms such as being easily startled, feeling tense, on guard, or on edge, difficulty concentrating, falling asleep or staying asleep, feeling irritable, having angry or aggressive outbursts, engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior that last for several weeks or become an ongoing problem, it might be PTSD. Consultation with a trauma therapist can help you sort out and understand what’s going on, what type of treatment may be needed, and how to begin healing. Untreated PTSD many not resolve without professional treatment. 

 

• What is your approach to working with trauma? My personal style is warm, welcoming and non-judgmental, infused with a sense of humor to create a comfortable and supportive environment. My professional goal is to provide a safe space where you can begin to heal—a place where you feel free to be yourself, truly heard, and deeply understood. This foundation is essential for the work we do together.
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  We are fortunate to live in a time when advances in neurobiology and trauma research have provided a wide array of evidence-based therapies for treating trauma. There are numerous effective methods and modalities to choose from, as well as complementary treatments to enhance their impact.
  
  Healing from trauma often requires a blend of approaches. These may include talk therapy like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), somatic work (body-centered techniques), mindfulness practices, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Exposure therapies, among others. Adjunct therapies such as trauma-informed yoga, dance and art therapy as well as MDMA or Ketamine therapy can also play a powerful role in the healing process.
  
  I am a strong proponent of psychoeducation, believing that the more you understand your experiences, the reasons behind them and how trauma is healed, the more you will grow and regain control of your life. I prioritize education, risk assessment, safety planning and referral to community resources, and victim advocacy services. Additionally, I offer support in navigating interactions with law enforcement and family court systems. Together, we will identify the most effective combination of therapies and services to meet your unique needs and support your journey toward recovery.

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• How do you define narcissism and narcissistic abuse? When talking about Narcissistic Abuse (NA) we think about the behaviors and patterns that happen in the relationship. In a nutshell, they are patterns of diminishing, devaluing, dismissiveness, minimizing, gaslighting, antagonizing, and more. They can make people feel crazy, deflated, confused, angry, hurt, and lots more. But one doesn’t have to be a narcissist to behave in ways that are narcissistic, and narcissistic treatment of any type can be harmful. You don’t have to put up with either.

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• What is your experience with clients who are currently in a toxic relationship? I work with individuals at all stages of navigating toxic relationships and coping with various forms of abuse or mistreatment. This includes supporting those who are currently in stressful relationships or living with someone who may be causing harm. The abuse may take many forms, including emotional or verbal abuse, coercive control, physical harm, financial manipulation, or spiritual abuse. My approach is tailored to meet clients wherever they are in their journey, providing the guidance and tools needed to foster safety, empowerment, and healing.

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• Would you say that most of your clients end up coping at home or deciding to leave? Healing and growth look different for everyone, and each individual’s journey is deeply personal. I believe in empowering clients to make decisions that feel right for them. I do not tell clients what they should do. Only they can determine what is best for their circumstances. For some, this might mean deciding if or when to make changes in a relationship. Clients with children may not feel ready or able to leave safely, while others might be managing relationships with narcissistic parents or bosses and carefully planning their exit. There are also those who have already faced and moved beyond challenging circumstances, leaving unhealthy relationships behind and focusing on rebuilding their lives. They are finding renewed purpose, joy, and strength. Wherever you are on your path, my role is to provide compassionate, individualized support to help you move forward.

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• Do you have specialized training or certifications in trauma therapy or narcissistic abuse recovery? I bring extensive experience and specialized training in assessing and treating trauma and abuse. I am a Certified Complex Trauma Clinician (CCTP/CCTP-II), Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC), Certified Antagonistic & Narcissistic Relationship Recovery Clinician, and a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate. Additionally, I am a Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Clinician with advanced professional degrees in trauma, grief, and loss.
  
  My education has focused on evidence-based approaches. I am trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-based therapies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). For a full list of my credentials and training, please refer to the Experience section.

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• I’ve tried counseling before but it wasn’t as helpful as I had hoped. How do I know this is going to work? Trauma recovery is a process. When you begin to heal you may feel more safe and grounded in you your body, more in control of your emotions and more connected in relationships. You may begin to sleep better and find that you can think more positively about your future, and so much more.
  
  You may have worked with various therapists and tried different approaches in search of relief, yet the progress might not have met your expectations. This is not a reflection of your effort—talk therapy alone is often insufficient for fully addressing trauma. This is because trauma is not solely held in the mind; it is also stored within the body. While traditional talk therapy engages the cognitive aspects of your experience, it may not reach the deeper, somatic layers where the effects of trauma often reside. Effective trauma healing often requires a comprehensive approach that integrates talk therapy, somatic work, mindful attention, and other evidence-based modalities. As a certified trauma therapist I am prepared to provide treatment that has been verified to be effective. It is based on evidence, peer reviewed studies and extensive research demonstrating efficacy. It works.

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• Do I have to go back and talk about all of the painful experiences I’ve had in the past? Research shows that it is not always necessary to delve into the specific details of distressing events to effectively process and heal from them. In fact, revisiting traumatic experiences in an unstructured way can feel overwhelming and may be counterproductive. You have options, and we will work together at a pace that feels comfortable and aligns with your needs. My priority is to help you regain a sense of well-being and control over your life, ensuring that our work avoids re-traumatization.

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• Do you work with other issues besides trauma? I provide support for a variety of challenges, including life transitions, stress, and personal growth, as well as recovery from trauma and abuse. Whether you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or unfulfilled, struggling with habits like drinking or smoking to cope, or seeking greater self-knowledge, I am here to help.
  
  I have supported people in healing from a wide range of traumatic experiences, including growing up in chaotic or non-responsive homes, receiving mixed messages from parents and partners, experiencing mis-attunement by caregivers, abandonment, and neglect.
  
  Additionally, I have worked with individuals dealing with bullying, the death of family members, gender and sexual identity violence, human trafficking, accidents, torture, financial and economic abuse, controlling and coercive relationships, and psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse. Other areas of focus include stalking, strangulation, intergenerational trauma, institutional betrayal, workplace challenges, and more.

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• Do you offer one on one sessions that aren't therapy?  I offer one-on-one sessions that include coaching and consultation. Coaching differs from psychotherapy in several key ways. It draws heavily on positive psychology, emphasizing personal strengths and positive traits to help individuals achieve their goals. Unlike therapy, coaching does not require formal licensing, credentialing, or advanced education. In contrast, practicing therapists must meet rigorous standards, including extensive training, adherence to legal and ethical guidelines, regulation by professional associations, and compliance with licensing bodies to ensure client safety.
  
  Coaching provided by a licensed clinician offers the best of both worlds. It combines the strengths of coaching with the expertise, training, and ethical oversight of a licensed therapist, provided the boundaries between psychotherapy and coaching are respected. This ensures a professional, effective, and safe approach tailored to your needs.