Our understanding of trauma and PTSD has evolved significantly over the past several decades. Historically, trauma treatment often focused on recovering and processing traumatic memories in detail, based on the belief that healing required fully revisiting and recounting painful experiences. For many individuals, however, repeatedly reliving traumatic events led to overwhelming feelings of fear, shame, helplessness, and self-blame, sometimes leaving them feeling worse rather than better.

Advances in neuroscience have transformed the way we understand trauma and recovery. Contemporary, evidence-based trauma treatments recognize that healing does not necessarily require recounting every detail of what happened. Instead, these approaches focus on helping the nervous system regain a sense of safety, reducing the intensity of traumatic memories and triggers, and building the capacity to remain grounded in the present.

I hold advanced certification in the treatment of Complex Trauma, along with additional training in the treatment of PTSD. My clinical work focuses particularly on survivors of sexual abuse and sexual trauma, while also supporting individuals struggling with childhood trauma, relational trauma, complex PTSD, and single-incident traumatic events. I understand that traumatic experiences can profoundly affect one’s sense of safety, identity, relationships, and connection to self.

I believe that whether, when, and how much you choose to disclose about your traumatic experiences should always remain your choice. You are never required to tell your entire story in order to heal.

Together, we will work to understand how trauma continues to affect your thoughts, emotions, body, relationships, and daily life. Trauma can manifest in many ways, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, dissociation, and sometimes addictive or compulsive behaviours that developed as attempts to cope with overwhelming experiences. Drawing on evidence-based cognitive approaches to trauma processing, as well as somatically informed parts work, I will help you develop internal resources that strengthen emotional regulation, reduce dissociation, and lessen the intensity of trauma-related triggers. As therapy progresses, you will learn practical skills for responding to difficult emotions, bodily sensations, and traumatic memories with greater awareness, compassion, and choice rather than becoming overwhelmed by them.

Our goal is not to erase the past, but to help you loosen its grip on the present so that you can live with greater freedom, connection, and self-compassion.