Understanding the Symptoms

Symptoms of trauma live in the mind and the body. The body can get tense, vacant, or numb. The mind can “leave” the body if under stress or duress. The body and mind can re-experience persistent sensations and memories. 

Other symptoms are more psychological and emotionally-based, such as having difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in the world. A trauma patient’s overall movements might become informed by the avoidance of danger.

The Body Knows

When you experience a stressful or life-threatening incident, your body knows how to protect you. It moves quickly into instinctive responses. It can crouch; it can tense; it can “separate” you from your “self”; it can move you into swift action. These are normal reactions, adaptive within the context of the incident. 

With trauma, however, an adaptive response might get stuck in perpetual reactivity. Something in the body or mind might react as if the danger were ever-present. You might perceive danger too frequently, have difficulty discerning safety, feel wired and adrenalized, or too-frequently ruminate or re-experience the difficult sensations or memories.

Reuniting the Body and Mind

Trauma therapy facilitates the body and mind’s natural rhythms and encourages a return to a state of equilibrium. After a trauma, some patients experience themselves as having a split between the body and mind and need help feeling safe enough to experience the body in a sensate, emotional and present way.

How my training can help

I specialize in a trauma-specific treatment called EMDR. This technique can help you process the difficult memories, emotions and sensations of trauma while offering you tools to help you find inner security and safety.  

I have also trained with Staci Haines at Generative Somatics, work with a shamanic technique called Soul Retrieval, and work with elements of Somatic Experiencing and Hakomi.

I work with panic attacks, PTSD, accidents and injuries, prenatal, postnatal or labor and delivery trauma, and sexual, physical and emotional abuse. 

I believe that, despite the severity of an injury, there are always ways to heal.

It is possible to find well-being and regain a sense of safety in the world.