WHEN THE PAST HOLDS YOU BACKÂ IN THE PRESENT
How therapy can help work through past traumas of all kinds and make way for a new future.
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"Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence."
–Peter Levine, stress & trauma expert and author of In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
Could your struggle to feel good about yourself and to live the life you want be related to trauma?
In a nutshell, yes. Does this sound familiar? You often question your own value and feel inadequate at work or in relationships. You struggle to find meaningful, supportive relationships and often feel lonely despite having a lot of friends. You want to express yourself more or in a different way but often find yourself holding back instead. Sometimes, the emotions feel so big and confusing that it's hard to manage them.
Trauma doesn't have to be a "big event."
When you think of trauma, what often comes to mind are catastrophic events, such as war, combat, natural disasters, physical or sexual abuse, terrorism, and car accidents. However, trauma actually refers to the long-lasting impact of ANY event(s) on one's self-esteem, trust in others, and/or sense of safety in the world. This can include events like:
Family stress in childhood due to immigration-related challenges, parent health issues, mental illness, etc.
Parental divorce, separation and/or absence
Physical or emotional neglect
Chronic invalidation, or denial of one's emotions by others
Bullying
Racism and discrimination
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These types of trauma are often invisible. And they tend to be experiences that others may brush aside as "not that bad."
Trauma therapy can help you find greater acceptance of yourself, peace of mind, and freedom from the past.
My approach to trauma utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness. I work with you to:
develop practical skills to ground yourself during difficult emotions
resolve memories of negative past experiences that are still holding you back using EMDR
change the relationship you have with yourself from critical and alone to nurturing and championing.
