You are not what’s happened to you.

Therapy for trauma (including PTSD) in the comfort of your own home.

I’ve heard the word trauma a lot, but I’m not sure I fully understand it. Is it just about big, terrible events, or can it be something more subtle?

Trauma is not simply about what happened to us; it’s about how we experienced what happened and how it affected our body, mind, and nervous system. It’s not the event itself, but rather the way the event was processed and internalized. Trauma is the impact of overwhelming or unsafe experiences that our system wasn’t able to fully process at the time.

When a traumatic event occurs, our nervous system can become stuck in a state of survival, either in a heightened state of alertness or, conversely, in a shutdown mode. This shift happens because our body’s natural response to threat is to protect us. However, when the trauma is unresolved, these protective states can become chronic, and we can find ourselves living in a constant state of fear, anxiety, or disconnection, even long after the event has passed.

Trauma also affects the way we relate to ourselves and others. It can create parts of ourselves that hold onto fear, pain, shame, or anger, making it difficult to feel truly connected or at peace. These parts might try to protect us by overworking, numbing, or distancing us from difficult emotions, but these mechanisms can keep us stuck in the past.

Healing trauma involves creating space for the nervous system to return to a state of safety and connection, and for the parts of us that have been carrying the burden of past wounds to find healing. Trauma is not who we are, but rather what we’ve experienced and how it has impacted our system. Through therapeutic work that honors the wisdom of our body and mind, we can gently guide our system back to balance, reconnecting with our natural state of well-being.

If you’re noticing these things, it may be your nervous system signaling that it needs support. The important thing is to be curious, not judgmental, about what you’re experiencing. Therapy can help you explore these feelings with compassion and offer a path toward healing.

 You’re ready to create space for healing.

How therapy works

You Can Trust Your Body’s Wisdom: Healing Trauma Through Polyvagal and IFS-Informed Therapy

In Polyvagal-informed and IFS-informed therapy, I approach trauma with deep respect for the wisdom of your body and mind. Both of these modalities recognize that trauma isn’t just something that happens in your thoughts—it also affects your nervous system, your body, and the very way you experience the world.

Polyvagal Theory teaches us that our nervous system constantly evaluates whether we are in a state of safety or danger. When trauma impacts us, our nervous system can become stuck in a state of survival—whether that’s in hyperarousal, where we feel anxious or hypervigilant, or in hypoarousal, where we feel numb or shut down. Through Polyvagal-informed therapy, I work to gently guide your nervous system back to a place of safety and calm. By understanding the cues of your body and learning how to regulate these responses, I can help you move from that state of survival into one of connection and peace.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) goes even deeper by helping you connect with the different parts of yourself. Often, trauma creates “parts” of us that hold onto pain, fear, or shame, leading to internal conflict. Some parts may try to protect you from pain (the “managers” or “firefighters”), while others may feel the weight of past wounds (the “exiles”). IFS helps you connect with these parts in a compassionate way, allowing you to unblend from them, understand their roles, and ultimately release the burdens they carry. As we work through this process, you can reconnect with your “Self”—the part of you that is naturally wise, calm, and compassionate.

Through this combination of understanding your nervous system and working with your inner parts, healing trauma becomes a process of reconnecting with your body’s innate ability to self-regulate and your mind’s ability to heal. Together, we’ll create a safe space for you to process and heal, so you can move from merely surviving to truly living—feeling grounded, connected, and at home in your own body.

Therapy for trauma can help you…

  • Build a sense of safety and trust in your body and the world around you.

  • Understand and reframe the impact of trauma, helping you reconnect with your sense of self.

  • Learn to regulate your nervous system, moving from survival mode to a state of balance.

  • Develop coping strategies that help you manage overwhelming emotions and triggers.

  • Create a compassionate space where you can heal, one step at a time, at your own pace.

Frequently asked questions about trauma therapy

FAQs

  • Trauma isn’t about the event itself—it’s about how our nervous system responds when we feel overwhelmed and alone in our experience. It’s the imprint left behind when something is too much, too fast, or too soon for our system to process.

    Here’s a way to gently explore what trauma is:

    • It’s anything that disrupts our sense of safety and connection. Trauma isn’t defined by the event, but by how it impacts our nervous system’s ability to find balance.

    • It lives in the body, not just the mind. We might notice it as tension, exhaustion, numbness, or a feeling of being stuck in patterns of survival—fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown.

    • It’s an adaptive response. Our nervous system is always working to protect us. The ways we respond to trauma are not signs of failure, but of resilience.

    • Healing happens through safety and connection. When we create experiences of regulation and co-regulation, our system can begin to trust that it is safe enough to soften and settle.Learn more.

  • If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, Polyvagal-informed and IFS-informed therapy can offer a path to healing by helping you understand and regulate your nervous system and connect with the different parts of yourself. This type of therapy is particularly helpful if you’ve experienced trauma, anxiety, or life stressors that have left you feeling out of balance or disconnected from your true self. If you’re ready to explore your own healing process at your own pace, and want a compassionate, gentle approach that honors both your mind and body, this therapy may be a good fit for you. Together, we’ll work to build safety, trust, and resilience, helping you move from survival to thriving.

  • Getting started begins with a simple step: showing up, as you are, and allowing space for what’s here. We’ll take time to understand your experiences and explore how your nervous system has been impacted. Together, we’ll create an approach that feels safe and supportive, moving at your pace. There’s no pressure to have all the answers right away—this is about gently building trust and connection, both with yourself and with the therapeutic process. Each step, no matter how small, is a step toward finding safety and healing. Learn more.

 You are not broken.