Complex trauma refers to the experience of multiple, prolonged traumatic events within the context of relationships, such as with caregivers or intimate partners. This can have a lasting impact on an individual’s mental health, development, and well-being.

I specialize in certain complex traumas. I help 1) adult-children of narcissistic parents and 2) women raised to be “good”, “selfless” and “obedient”.

Adult-children of narcissistic parents describe feeling imprisoned by fear and shame, as well as paralyzing self-doubt. Women who were raised under rigid sexism often describe feeling depressed, powerless, rage, a “loss of self”, and self-silenced.

Our work together will be phase oriented to ensure we prioritize your emotional safety and daily functioning. Together we explore what bothers you with curiosity and the upmost respect. Lastly, we re-connect you with your core truths, purpose, and desires.

A “sense of self” is how a person perceives and understands themselves, including their beliefs, values, personality traits, abilities, and overall identity. This is shaped by their experiences, relationships, and personal values throughout life.

Major life events (e.g. early childhood trauma, ending a relationship, career change) can all trigger a loss of self as an adult. A “loss of self” is a feeling of disconnection from your thoughts, feelings, and desires.

Invest in re-building a strong sense of self that can guide your decision-making and how you interact with others.

Anxiety is a part of the human experience. It’s a perfectly natural response to threat. However, unlike animals, its difficult for us to shake it off. This means that whenever our sense of safety, belonging, self, and purpose was most threatened, it’s hard to forget. Our mind and body keeps the score.

The difference between manageable anxiety and disruptive anxiety is your story around it. Ask yourself, how did I survive the earliest stressors of my life? What roles did I adopt or develop to manage my feelings of fear and uneasiness? Did I freeze, fight, fawn, or flee?

In therapy, we will practice skills that provide immediate, sustainable relief. We will get to know your anxiety. We will learn to recognize, allow, investigate, and nurture your fears.

When you’re interacting with someone, you’re connecting with two people simultaneously: the other and yourself. Authentic connections come down to listening to understand and saying what you mean.

For example, if we’re critical with ourselves, we’re likely to be critical of others and/or the world. If gone unchecked, criticism erodes trust within ourselves and our interpersonal relationships.

It’s your job to “listen to understand, rather than respond” to your emotions, as well as “speak for your emotions, rather than from your emotions”.

I help others practice this form of mindful communication within themselves and with others. This form of relating is like being while becoming the more of ourselves in relation to others.