Trauma

Many people perceive trauma as limited to extreme experiences such as war, sexual assault, car accidents, and similar events. However, chronic neglect, abuse, bullying, or similar experiences - whether a single event or pattern of treatment - also constitutes trauma. A question to ask yourself is, "Did what happen to me negatively change the way I view myself and the way I interact in the world?"

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Sometimes trauma symptoms present in response to:

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• Directly experiencing a traumatic event

• Witnessing a traumatic event happening to others

• Learning that someone close to you experienced a traumatic event

• Being exposed to graphic details of traumatic events over and over again, as is the case for first responders

• A chronic pattern of maltreatment or neglect

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​When you’ve gone through a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to enjoy your daily life, and you may struggle to cope with stress and discomfort. When you live in a state of increased distress, anxiety, or fear, your amygdala may start to play an overwhelming role in how your brain interprets information in your world. In these moments, even the most neutral stimuli may be met with agitation, frustration, or anxiety. 

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It's hard to make lasting changes if you don't really understand why you get in your own way - where it started and why it started. So, of course, many well-intended people make great effort toward change that doesn't last because they stay on the surface of the problem. If you have not already received a diagnosis, we can assess your symptoms for an accurate diagnosis, as there are multiple trauma- and stress-related disorders and an accurate diagnosis will inform an appropriate treatment plan.

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Do you find that you often over-react, fawn, or freeze in a tense moment, then immediately regret it? Or maybe you shut down and internally go somewhere during a conversation only to walk away wondering why you couldn’t just stay present? Do you ask yourself, “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why do I keep doing this?” ​I often hear: “I don’t want to react this way, but I don’t know how to change it.” These moments of reactivity aren’t about weakness or a lack of self-control. They’re often responses to trauma. If you need help with an accurate diagnosis, contact me:

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The Survival Brain

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Within the brain is an almond-shaped structure known as the amygdala. This region is part of the limbic system and plays a crucial role in how we detect and respond to perceived threats. It’s often referred to as the brain’s “alarm system” because it activates instinctive survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn before the rational part of the brain has time to process what’s happening.

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The amygdala operates with incredible speed in response to a stimulus, significantly faster than the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for logic, reasoning, and emotional regulation. This means that in a moment of stress or emotional intensity, your brain may initiate a protective reaction before you’ve had a chance to think it through.

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When the Past Shows Up in the Present

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The amygdala doesn’t recognize time. It isn’t concerned with whether something is happening now or years ago. If a current moment seems similar to a past experience that was threatening or overwhelming, it may respond as if that original threat is happening again.

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This is why you might find yourself reacting strongly in a situation that, on the surface, doesn’t seem like a big deal. For example, being interrupted in a meeting might unconsciously remind your nervous system of not being listened to, as a pattern, as a child. Feeling dismissed by a partner might mirror earlier experiences of not being emotionally seen. These are called implicit memory activations. Your body remembers, even if your mind doesn’t recognize it right away. By learning to notice these patterns, you gain the power to interrupt them and to teach your brain that you are safe now, even if you weren’t then.

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What You Can Do

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The survival responses - those automatic moments of shutdown, irritability, or avoidance - are evidence that your brain has been working hard to protect you. And the empowering truth is that your brain can change.

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This is the foundation of neuroplasticity - your brain’s lifelong ability to form new neural pathways in response to experience. Just as it learned to be on high alert, it can also learn to feel safe, calm, and connected. And that process doesn’t require perfection. It starts with small, consistent steps that support your nervous system.

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When reactivity arises, the first step is awareness. Noticing what’s happening physiologically - tight chest, racing thoughts, clenched jaw - can interrupt the automatic cycle and help bring your thinking brain back online. ​From there, I can help you develop simple practices that can create powerful shifts over time to retrain your brain to recognize safety and build new pathways for regulation. Each time you choose to respond with intention rather than reaction, you’re literally shaping your brain’s future responses.

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Experience Compassionate, Effective Care

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You can get relief from trauma and the obtain peace you want. Trauma-informed therapy focuses on recognizing trauma symptoms and understanding their root causes. The therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for you to address your individual experiences and needs to foster healing and resilience. With help from trauma therapy treatment, you can overcome your obstacles. I specialize in trauma counseling, and can help you recover from difficult experiences. Using a variety of methods, you can get you back on your feet.

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Because everyone is different, I tailor a treatment plan for each individual. I can help you integrate and release your traumatic experience to give you newfound freedom. It can be difficult to put your emotions and thoughts into words, so I offer a number of different treatment methods that allow you to express yourself in diverse ways. ​​​​I use methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting in addition to more traditional talk therapy. ​

 

If you have been the victim of a crime in Colorado or Arizona, you may qualify for payment of some therapy through Victim Services. Contact me to learn more about treatment for trauma and if you qualify for financial aid.