Trauma
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in” - Leonard Cohen
The word “trauma” usually evokes images of shocking, earth-shattering, extreme events (e.g. war, violence, rape, death). We often overlook more frequently occurring traumatic experiences – the ones that may not be life threatening but still affect us long-term. Things like emotional neglect, significant loss, illness of a loved one, bullying, or betrayal - all of these can significantly affect the way we engage in the world and our relationships. Sometimes called “complex trauma” or “attachment trauma” these experiences rewire our brains to prioritize safety and vigilance rather than curiosity and joy. Trauma can also be imposed on us by systems, societal influences, or passed down from previous generations.
What does it mean to treat trauma?
Our brains are surprisingly good at helping us survive trauma, but we often don’t understand or like the results of how our brain gets us through. Plus, sometimes we get really good at bottling up our trauma until we finally feel safe, which often has the jelly donut effect of squishing out in other places.
Because trauma comes from different sources, in different frequencies, and with different effects, there is no one-size-fits-all “trauma therapy” and there are many different places treatment could start from. My approach to trauma treatment is best for those who have experienced the “death by a thousand papercuts,” with or without big trauma events sprinkled in.
I’m here to help you understand how your experiences have shaped you, why you have adapted to life the way you have, and how to move forward. I rarely hear anything that makes me balk or seems totally out there. It is my privilege to help you carry the darkness and face your shame. Through our cracks and imperfections, we find our light.