“Trauma is not what happens to you, it is what happens inside you.”
-Gabor Maté
What is Trauma?
Trauma refers to experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope and continue to affect emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life over time. Trauma is not defined solely by what happened, but by how an experience was felt and carried over time. Experiences that overwhelm our ability to cope can shape how we understand ourselves, connect with others, and experience safety, trust, and meaning in the world.
Trauma can affect emotions, relationships, thoughts, and the body. Common signs may include anxiety, feeling on edge, sadness, irritability, difficulty trusting others, unwanted memories, nightmares, trouble concentrating, avoidance, feeling disconnected or numb, changes in sleep or appetite, and physical symptoms such as tension, fatigue, or headaches. Trauma affects everyone differently, and symptoms may appear immediately or emerge over time. Healing is possible, and trauma treatment can support greater understanding, coping, and connection.
What Causes Trauma?
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including emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, or relational harm
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experiences of unmet emotional or physical needs, particularly during childhood
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such as car accidents, medical events, injuries, or natural disasters
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including the death of a loved one, relationship loss, or significant life transitions
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experiencing or observing violence, conflict, or frightening events
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prolonged experiences such as discrimination, financial hardship, instability, family conflict, or other ongoing stressors
Trauma can develop in response to many different types of experiences. While people often think of trauma as a single overwhelming event, trauma can also emerge through repeated experiences or ongoing stress. Not everyone who experiences these events develops trauma, and experiences that feel traumatic can vary greatly from person to person. Experiences that may contribute to trauma include:
Types of Trauma
There are many different forms of trauma, each of which may shape a person’s experience and healing journey in different ways.
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Trauma that develops after a single distressing or overwhelming event, such as an accident, natural disaster, assault, or sudden loss.
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Trauma that results from repeated or ongoing exposure to difficult or harmful experiences over time, such as ongoing abuse, violence, instability, or chronic stress.
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Trauma that develops through multiple or repeated experiences, often within relationships, and may affect emotional regulation, identity, trust, relationships, and coping.
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Trauma that occurs during important periods of growth and development, particularly in childhood. Experiences such as neglect, abuse, or disruptions in caregiving relationships can shape emotional and psychological development over time.
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Trauma-related responses that can occur after witnessing, supporting, or hearing about another person’s traumatic experiences. This can affect caregivers, loved ones, advocates, clinicians, and others in helping roles.
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The emotional and psychological impact that can be experienced across generations by individuals and communities affected by systemic oppression, violence, displacement, or other collective forms of harm.
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PTSD is one possible response to trauma and is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, nightmares, heightened anxiety, avoidance, changes in mood, or feeling constantly on alert.
Disclaimer: Content on this website is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional psychological, medical, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist–client relationship. Trauma experiences and recovery look different for everyone, and information presented here may not reflect every person’s experience.
Among the issues we can support you through in Trauma Treatment:
Sexual Assault
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Childhood Physical/Emotional Abuse & Neglect
Intergenerational Trauma
Witnessing Violence
Traumatic Loss (i.e. suicide, homicide, accident)
Intimate Partner Violence
Minority Stress
Racial Trauma
Our work is rooted in a contemporary psychodynamic approach, from which we integrate evidence-based techniques for trauma treatment which include:
Somatic Experiencing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) among others
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Start by filling out our contact form.
We will respond with an email providing you with a link to book a free 15 minute phone consultation. This consultation is necessary in order to initiate treatment. The purpose of the phone call is for us to inquire about your reasons for seeking trauma treatment and to make sure that our practice is a good fit for the care you are needing.
If at the end of the consultation call we both agree to move forward, we will schedule a date and time for your first therapy appointment with one of our trauma therapists.
Upon scheduling your first appointment, you will receive a link to a secure client portal where you will review, sign, and complete our initial paperwork which contains brief questionnaires and consent forms. All paperwork should be completed at least 48 hours prior to your first appointment.
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Therapy as a mutual commitment- Therapy is a shared investment of time, effort, and emotional energy between client and therapist. This collaborative commitment strengthens the therapeutic alliance which is one of the most reliable predictors of meaningful change. Consistent engagement helps create a safe, trusting space where deeper work and lasting growth can occur.
Session Frequency-Our practice typically recommends weekly appointments, which is the standard frequency in outpatient psychotherapy. Weekly sessions, particularly in trauma-focused work, support consistency, build trust, and maintain a steady therapeutic rhythm. The time between sessions allows for reflection, integration of insights, and practice of new coping strategies, while helping to sustain momentum in the work. Research also shows that weekly therapy is effective for many mental health concerns, offering both continuity and meaningful progress. Adjustments to session frequency can be made collaboratively with your therapist based on your needs and goals.
Cancellation Policy-If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please notify your therapist at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments, will be charged the full session fee, as insurance does not cover these costs. This policy helps protect dedicated time for all clients and supports the sustainability of our practice.
Late Arrivals- Therapy sessions begin and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, your session will still end at the original time in order to respect the schedules of both your therapist and other clients. You will be responsible for the full session fee. If you anticipate being late, we encourage you to notify your therapist as soon as possible.
Between-Session Communication-Communication between sessions is made either through email or the confidential client portal and is typically reserved for scheduling or administrative needs. Your therapist may not be able to respond to clinical concerns outside of scheduled sessions. If something important arises, we encourage you to bring it into your next session so it can be given the time and care it deserves. While we take steps to protect your privacy, please keep in mind that electronic communication may carry some risk. Sensitive or clinical matters are best addressed during sessions.
Fees, Insurance, and payment- Payment is due at the time of service unless otherwise arranged. Our practice will discuss fees and any out-of-pocket costs with you prior to the start of treatment. If we are in-network with your insurance, we will submit claims on your behalf. Please note that clients are responsible for understanding their insurance benefits, including copays, deductibles, and coverage limits. If we are out-of-network, we will provide documentation (a superbill) for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Confidentiality- Your privacy is a central part of the therapeutic process. All sessions are confidential, with the exception of legal and ethical limits (such as risk of harm to self or others, or suspected abuse of a child, elder, or dependent adult). Your therapist will review these limits with you at the start of treatment and is available to answer any questions.
Telehealth Services-We offer telehealth sessions via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. By participating in telehealth, you acknowledge there are potential risks (such as technical disruptions or privacy limitations). You are responsible for joining sessions from a private, safe location within a state where your therapist is licensed to practice.
Emergency Services- Our practice does not provide 24/7 crisis support. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911, contact 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Appropriateness of Care-Our services are designed for outpatient mental health treatment. If at any point your needs fall outside the scope of outpatient care, your therapist will work with you to identify more appropriate resources or a higher level of support.
Ending Therapy-Therapy can be ended at any time. We encourage clients to discuss their decision with their therapist so that treatment can be thoughtfully concluded and referrals can be provided if needed.