My Specialties
Explore my therapies and counseling services for mental health challenges.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is a strong negative response to a terrible event that changes your physical circumstances, mental processes, and behaviors. First, trauma causes your brain to focus on threats or possible dangers and instinctively moves you into fight-flight-freeze type reactions. The constant state of alertness alters physiological functions and behavioral choices.
Types of events that can lead to trauma.
- Abuse/Neglect: Physical, Emotional, Financial, or Sexual
- Accidents
- Death of a friend, family member or significant other
- Displacement from home or community
- Loss of a job, home, or significant relationship
- Natural disaster
- Violence
Common Symptoms of Trauma
Anxious thoughts
Avoidance of reminders
Body aches and pains
Difficulty trusting others
- Feeling down or depressed
- Feeling unsafe
Flashbacks
Headaches
Insomnia
Nausea
Night terrors
Reliving events
How Therapy Can Help
Reconstruct your sense of safety.
Increase self-awareness.
Understand and accept your inner self.
Develop skills to regulate your nervous system and emotions.
Decrease your response to triggers.
Provide education about trauma effects.
Grow your trust and self-compassion.
Shift your narrative from victim to survivor.
Adjustments
Life is packed full of changes within us and in the world around us, but major life stressors can become overwhelming. If you experience emotional or behavioral reactions within three months of a major change, therapy can help you navigate through those changes.
Types of events that can lead to adjustment disorders.
Change in social status
Altered self-esteem
Change in your financial income or responsibility
Change in identity
Change in your social support system
Developmental transitions: adolescents, adulthood, empty-nest, retirement
Legal problems: arrest, incarceration, lawsuit
Loss of a job, a pet, or a loved one
Physical Illness: sudden accident, terminal illness, chronic disease
Pregnancy
Relocation/Forced to move
Relationship changes: engagement, marriage, divorce, break-ups
Significant damage to personal belonging like a car or a home
Starting a new job, school
Trouble with a co-worker, classmate, or boss
Common Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
Anxiousness
Apathy
Change in appetite
Crying often
- Defiant behaviors
Difficulty initiating important task (Not going to work or paying bills)
Difficulty with daily activities
Hopelessness
Insomnia
Irritable
Lack of concentration
Overwhelmed
Sadness
Suicidal Ideation
Withdrawing from family or friends
Worrying
How Therapy Can Help
Decrease anxiety.
Develop coping/stress reduction skills.
Develop distress tolerance.
Enhance self-esteem/self-care.
Improve mood regulation.
Improve problem-solving skills.
Reduce harmful coping behavior.
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Get in touch
Feel free to send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
(In-person and Telehealth)
