Trauma: Getting to the Roots
When most people hear the word "trauma," they think of a single, massive event. But for many of my clients—the fixers and the "reliable ones"—trauma is often the long-term wear and tear of having to be perfect to stay safe. It’s the weight of growing up in an environment where your needs were secondary to the adults around you, or where you had to be the "good kid" just to keep the peace.
It’s not just in your head; it’s in your habits.
Trauma isn't just a memory; it’s a physical and emotional "survival mode" that never turned off. It’s the reason you:
Feel perpetually on edge or "waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Have a loud inner critic that treats every mistake like a catastrophe.
Find yourself "fawning"—instinctively pleasing others to avoid conflict or rejection.
These aren't personality flaws. They are survival habits you picked up a long time ago. They worked back then to help you navigate a world that felt unpredictable or unsafe, but they are burning you out today.
You can also learn more about PTSD services.
Do I have to share all the details about my trauma to heal from it?
The short answer: No. Your healing shouldn't be a source of new hurt. My approach focuses on Reprocessing rather than Recounting. Whether we use EMDR or CPT, our goal is to shift the power that trauma holds over your life. We work with your current feelings and beliefs, allowing you to process the past at your own pace—without ever being forced to share more than you’re ready for.