Counseling for childhood trauma for couples and individuals in Tennessee
Supporting trauma survivors by promoting healing, growth, and recovery
What is trauma?
Is my past affecting my present?
Understanding Trauma: What It Is and How It Affects Us
Trauma is something that happens when a person experiences something really scary, upsetting, or dangerous. It can be caused by events like accidents, natural disasters, bullying, or even hearing bad news. Trauma affects people in different ways, and it’s important to understand that it’s not their fault if they feel upset or scared afterward.
What Happens During Trauma?
When something frightening happens, our brains and bodies react to keep us safe. You might feel your heart race, your palms sweat, or your muscles tense up. This is called the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. It’s your body’s way of protecting you from danger. Sometimes, even after the danger is gone, those feelings can stick around, making it hard to feel calm or happy again.
How Does Trauma Affect Us?
Trauma can change how people feel, think, and act. Some common effects of trauma include:
- Feeling scared, even when there is no danger.
- Having trouble sleeping or concentrating.
- Feeling angry, sad, or confused.
- Avoiding places, people, or things that remind them of the scary event.
- Feeling "numb," like they don’t feel anything at all.
It’s important to know that everyone reacts differently to trauma. Some people might seem fine on the outside but still feel upset inside.
Take the First Step
I know that taking the first step towards therapy can be hard. That's why I offer a free phone consultation to help you determine if what I do is the right fit for you. Contact me today to schedule your consultation.
Trauma and individuals
How I can help you
The past has passed. Now begins healing through the understanding of what has happened and why you're still struggling with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. I utilize mindfulness, education, body awareness, and evidenced-based techniques that work with the brain and body to begin putting the pieces back together. Using a trauma-informed model of recovery, you'll learn how to calm brain and body, how you're not crazy for feeling the way you feel, and how to reconnect back to the people in your life who truly love you, including yourself.
Start Your Journey Today
The first step towards transforming your life is to take action. Contact me today to schedule your initial consultation and start your journey towards a happier, healthier you.
Trauma and couples
How I can help you
I tell my couple clients all of the time, it is never about the thing we focus on. What this means is if we're getting mad about dirty dishes and burnt toast, there's something else going on under the surface that needs to be addressed. Most of the time though, the core issues never get addressed and this causes resentment and contempt to grow. Whether you've been together for 20 years or 20 months, understanding our individual stressors and what trauma we've brought into the relationship is pertinent in truly knowing ourselves and our partner. It's not just about knowing a favorite color or love language, it means learning how to support and provide an emotionally safe environment for the one we love.
Get in Touch
If you're interested in learning more about couples therapy services, please contact me to schedule a free phone consultation.
Trauma and support groups
How I can help you
As a trauma survivor, you truly are not alone. Many people have experiences and struggles that may be similar to you and groups are a great way to connect with others. Whether you're struggling with self-compassion, relationships, emotional regulation or single-parenting, there is a group for your needs. Groups are held twice a year and will be announced on this website as they are created.
Contact Me for More Information
If you have questions about support groups, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.