Trauma Therapy in Brea, CA

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Do you live in constant fear?

Are your current relationships suffering due to hangovers from past abuse?
Do you isolate yourself for fear of flashbacks or panic attacks?
Do you wonder if you are currently in an emotionally abusive relationship?
Are you frequently angry for seemingly no reason?
Do you feel like damaged goods?

If so, you may have experienced trauma.

Trauma takes many forms. You may have experienced a single distressing event such as a car accident, an assault, a natural disaster, or a medical emergency. Or you may be in a chronic abuse situation like domestic violence. As a child, you may have been exposed to neglect, repeated sexual abuse or physical abuse. This keeps your nervous system on high alert scanning the environment constantly checking for safety.

Safety can feel elusive

If you have suffered from trauma, sometimes you have no memory of the abuse or have chosen to block it out. You may dissociate, feel off, depressed, or anxious. You may wonder what is wrong with you and why you can’t seem to get through the day without being activated in a way that causes strong emotional reactions. In addition, you may feel a profound sense of helplessness, fear, and disconnection. You may wonder if you have PTSD.

Another common occurrence is many abuse victims blame themselves for the abuse and then recreate the trauma. This only intensifies the suffering. Maybe you have tried to tell trusted friends or family about the abuse only to have them not believe you. I understand how devastating this can be.

Through therapy with a trauma informed clinician, it is possible to heal, feel safe again in your own body, and release the shame.

You are not alone in your trauma

Trauma is more common than many people realize. In the U.S., an estimated 70% of people report experiencing at least one lifetime traumatic event with many reporting more. In addition, teenagers have often suffered one type of trauma at a rate of 62% by the time they reach adolescence. All of us have lived through a global pandemic that we were wildly unprepared for. You may still have fears about this or are trying to rebuild your life.

No matter what type of trauma you may have experienced, if you have not had support and a safe place to process, your may feel like you are in survival mode. You may appear “fine” on the outside but internally you may struggling. You may also be overcompensating with a need to be perfect and follow all of the rules. This helps create the illusion of safety. Unfortunately, our world is unpredictable and bad things still happen despite our best efforts.

Common After Effects of Trauma

Often people dealing with the after effects of trauma, also struggle with:

Depression
Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Flashbacks
Intrusive Thoughts
Emotional Volatility
Eating Disorders
Body Image Issues
Self-harm Behaviors such as cutting
Difficulty setting and maintaining boundaries
Low Self-Worth
Suicide Attempts
Confusion with Sexuality
Guilt
Shame

Untreated, trauma can upend your life. In order to avoid triggers, you may isolate and your relationships may suffer. The future may feel scary and deeply uncertain. However, with compassionate counseling you can reclaim your life and the effects of trauma can subside.

You need to tell your story

There are two components to trauma. There is the thing that happened to you and then what happens when you tell the story. If you didn’t receive the right kind of support, sometimes telling the story can be more traumatizing than the actual event. You may vow to never speak of it again and pretend it doesn’t exist. The trouble with this is, your body remembers. It keeps the score.

You are not broken

The threat still feels very real and present. You may feel as if your are reliving the scariest moments in your life. With trauma treatment, we can sort out what is actually happening to you in real time and provide exercises that ground you to the present moment. We can develop strategies for when you are activated that help you be less reactive to the trauma. This can free you from the shame you have been carrying.

Contact Me

Free Consultation

What to expect in session

By working together through weekly therapy sessions, we can process the trauma and give you back your life and the freedom you deserve. The journey may be painful at times but it is a necessary venture on your road to recovery. I know the road may seem endless, but it is not. You do not have to carry this burden by yourself anymore. I am here to help.

My unique approach as a trauma therapist

I have over 25 years of experience treating individuals who have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused by romantic partners, family members, and strangers. In addition, I have worked with adults who have suffered emotional neglect by their caregivers. I have helped individuals overcome PTSD from specific events, such as a medical emergency, a sudden loss, or major accident.

I work from a psychodynamic depth perspective but also incorporate DBT skills training and attachment theory. The goal of trauma counseling is to not only alleviate your suffering but to develop self-compassion and empower you to be your true authentic self.

Common Questions about Trauma Therapy...

Will talking about the traumatic event make my symptoms worse?

Perhaps initially. We will take it slow and go at your own pace. If I realize you are getting too triggered in session, we will stop and utilize grounding exercises. Safety and stabilization are always paramount in our work. I want you to leave each session with a plan in how to compassionately care for yourself throughout the week. Ultimately, talking about the trauma will provide you with relief and a better sense of control.

I’m worried about being believed. How can I trust you?

Your trauma has taught you to be skeptical and guarded. This is protective. Your experiences may have been invalidated or dismissed in the past. Trust needs to be earned. I have found many of my clients actually do not realize the extent of the impact on their trauma. Survivors of trauma are always to be believed. My hope is with time, we will develop a deeper bond where it will feel safe to disclose the details of your suffering.