Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy treatment designed to help individuals cope with and recover from the emotional and psychological impact of traumatic experiences. Trauma can result from a wide range of events, such as accidents, abuse, violence, or natural disasters and it can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and difficulty trusting others. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Trauma Conscious Yoga Methods, an evidence-based modality to process traumatic memories, emotions, sensations, and reactions. Below are different focuses of trauma I am particularly passionate about it.
Generational Trauma
Generational trauma or intergenerational trauma is the transmission or “passing down” of effects of trauma across multiple generations. This has an impact on families, communities, or entire populations, altering the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of those persons. Generational trauma can be caused by a range of factors, including war, genocide, displacement, cultural oppression, family violence and abuse, substance misuse, or system injustices, and it can have an impact on parenting methods, family relationships, and general emotional health. Together, we will examine and honor what values, behaviors, and beliefs have kept you and your family safe for years and determine if they still make sense for you today.
Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma refers to experiences during childhood that are physically or emotionally harmful and have the potential to impact a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Childhood trauma can be a single event or a chronic, prolonged situation. Childhood trauma is recognized as a significant risk factor for a wide range of mental health issues and challenges in adulthood. Types of childhood trauma include:
Physical Abuse, Emotional or Psychological Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, Domestic Violence, Community Violence, Medical Trauma, Separation or Loss
Many people believe that childhood trauma has to be a very traumatic or negative event that happens to you. However, childhood trauma can also be things that you did not have or experience, such as financial stability, receiving a meal every day, and/or having a consistent caregiver. I am trained in TBRI (Trust-based Relational Intervention), a trauma-informed practice focused on building trust in relationships to create a more secure attachment with others.
Racial Trauma
Racial trauma, also known as race-based trauma is psychological and emotional harm that individuals may experience due to exposure to racial discrimination, racism, and systemic oppression. This type of trauma affects people from marginalized racial and ethnic groups and occurs at an individual and collective level. Racial trauma is a response to real or perceived experiences of racial bias, microaggressions, and overt acts of racism. Types of racial trauma include:
Microaggressions, Macroaggressions, Systemic Racism, Racial Profiling, Media Representation, Historical Trauma and Environmental Racism
As a person of color, I acknowledge these are situations we cannot always change. What we can do is build our emotional tolerance around these issues to help our nervous system stay regulated.