Care for what happened to you.
Trauma changes the nervous system. It is not a sign of weakness, and it is not your fault. Healing is possible — and it doesn't always require reliving what you've been through.
You might recognize some of these.
The body remembers.
Hypervigilance, jumpiness, sleep that won't restore. Tension you didn't know you were holding. The body tracks what the mind has tried to set down.
Flashbacks and intrusions.
Memories that come unbidden. Smells, sounds, or places that send you somewhere you don't want to go. Dreams that won't leave when you wake.
Avoidance.
Steering clear of places, people, or topics that trigger the memory. The world quietly narrows.
Changes in how you see yourself.
Self-blame, shame, the sense that something is fundamentally wrong with you. None of this is true — and it's a common signal of unresolved trauma.
Care that begins with a conversation.
Stabilization first.
Before any work on the trauma itself, we make sure the present is safe and the body has tools to settle. Sleep, grounding skills, support systems — the foundation comes first.
Medication that supports the work.
Some medications reduce nightmares (prazosin), lower the baseline alarm (SSRIs), or help sleep without the addiction risk of benzodiazepines. We choose based on what's most disrupting your life.
Talk therapy that respects your pace.
We talk only as much as is useful. Trauma work is not about reliving the worst moments — it's about helping the nervous system understand the danger has passed.
Referrals when intensive trauma work fits.
For some patients, evidence-based trauma protocols (EMDR, CPT, prolonged exposure) with a specialist make sense. I can coordinate care so you don't have to navigate it alone.
“What happened to you is not who you are. We can work with this.”
Common questions about trauma & ptsd.
- Do I need to talk about what happened?
- Not at first. And not in detail unless and until it's helpful. Trauma treatment isn't about reliving — it's about restoring safety and choice. We move at the pace your nervous system can actually use.
- Is virtual care safe for trauma work?
- Often it's preferable — being in your own space, with your own support, while doing this work. We discuss safety planning at the first session so you have what you need between visits.
- What if I don't remember everything that happened?
- Memory after trauma is often fragmented or unclear. That's normal, and it doesn't disqualify you from care or healing. We work with what's present.
- I went through hard things but I don't have PTSD. Can I still come?
- Yes. You don't need a formal PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed care. If something is still affecting you, it's worth a conversation.
Ready to talk about trauma & ptsd?
Free 15-minute phone consultation. No obligation. We'll figure out together if I'm the right fit.