Trauma & PTSD
Single-incident trauma
Not all trauma begins in childhood.
Sometimes it happens in a single moment.
A car accident.
A medical emergency.
An assault.
A sudden loss.
A frightening experience that caught you off guard.
You may have walked away thinking, “I’m okay.”
And in many ways, you are. You returned to work. You kept moving. You handled what needed to be handled.
But something feels different.
Your body reacts before your mind does.
You replay what happened. Certain places or situations feel harder than they used to.
Sleep shifts.
You feel on edge, numb, or easily overwhelmed.
Even when the event is over, your nervous system may still be trying to protect you.
That does not mean you are weak.
It means your brain did what it was designed to do in a threatening situation.
For some people, these responses settle over time.
For others, they linger.
When that happens, therapy can help your system process what occurred so it no longer feels present.
Common Responses After a Single Traumatic Event
You might notice:
Replaying the event in your mind
Feeling jumpy, tense, or on guard
Avoiding certain reminders
Difficulty sleeping
Emotional numbness or irritability
Feeling “not like yourself”
Physical reactions such as a racing heart or tightness in your chest when reminded of the event
These are common trauma responses. They are treatable.
How I Work With Trauma
My approach to trauma is evidence-based. I frequently use CBT and EMDR therapy, which helps the brain process distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and physical reactivity.
The goal is not to erase what happened.
The goal is to help your body recognize that it is over.
We work at a steady, contained pace. Stabilization comes first. Processing happens when you feel ready.
You do not have to relive the experience in order to heal.
If something happened and you feel different since, I invite you to schedule a consultation to explore whether trauma-focused therapy may be helpful.
Complex and Developmental Trauma
Not all trauma happens in a single moment.
For some, it developed gradually over time.
Childhood emotional neglect.
Attachment wounds.
Growing up in unpredictable, critical, or unsafe environments.
Abuse.
Bullying.
Family conflict.
Repeated experiences of being dismissed, shamed, or left alone with overwhelming feelings.
Repeated exposure to racism, microaggressions, systemic inequity or discrimination, or environments where you are expected to work twice as hard to be seen as competent.
Long-term caregiving stress.
There may not be one clear event to point to. Instead, there is a pattern of feeling unsafe, unseen, or unsupported.
You may notice difficulty trusting others.
Fear of abandonment.
Strong reactions in relationships that feel bigger than the situation.
A persistent sense of not being “too much” or “not enough.”
Perfectionism that feels tied to worth.
A tendency to disconnect from your own needs.
A tendency to over-function or to shut down.
These are not character flaws.
They are protective responses that once made sense.
Attachment Wounds and Adult Relationships
Many of the adults I work with are high-functioning and capable, yet find that intimate relationships activate old fears or protective behaviors.
You might:
Feel anxious when someone pulls away
Struggle to ask for reassurance
Shut down when conflict arises
Feel responsible for managing others’ emotions
Fear being “too much” or “not enough”
Avoid vulnerability out of fear of rejection
These responses often have roots in early attachment experiences that are sometimes combined with cultural or systemic pressures.
In therapy, we work to understand how those early patterns formed, how they show up now, and how to create new relational experiences that feel safer and more secure.
How I Approach Complex Trauma
Work with complex trauma requires patience and consistency.
We begin by strengthening emotional regulation and creating a sense of safety. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we examine patterns in thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that developed over time and may no longer serve you. CBT offers practical tools to reduce reactivity, challenge unhelpful narratives, and build clarity.
When appropriate, we may also use EMDR to process earlier memories that continue to influence present reactions. EMDR supports the brain in integrating distressing experiences so they no longer feel immediate or overwhelming.
The goal is not to relive the past.
It is to understand it in a way that allows you to respond differently in the present.
Healing from complex trauma unfolds gradually. With intention and support, many clients experience greater emotional stability, healthier boundaries, and a stronger sense of self-trust.
PTSD and Trauma Responses
Some individuals meet criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Others experience trauma-related symptoms without identifying with a formal diagnosis.
PTSD can develop after a single traumatic event such as a car accident, assault, medical emergency, or sudden loss. It can also develop after prolonged exposure to stress, abuse, or instability.
Common signs include:
• Recurrent memories or nightmares
• Feeling on edge or easily startled
• Avoiding reminders of the event
• Emotional numbness
• Irritability or difficulty concentrating
• Physical reactions when reminded of what happened
A diagnosis is not required for treatment. If your body or mind feels different since an experience, that is enough to seek support.
Evidence-based approaches such as EMDR and CBT are highly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and helping the nervous system integrate what occurred.
“Every human has a true authentic self. Trauma is the disconnection from it and healing is the reconnection to it.”
-Dr. Gabor Maté