
Complex Trauma Therapy
Complex trauma or CPTSD happens when we experience multiple invasive interpersonal traumatic events that have a long lasting negative impact on our self perception and felt sense of safety in relationships.
Types of events that cause complex trauma for many of my clients:
pervasive oppression (racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, etc.)
childhood abuse, neglect or abandonment
domestic violence or intimate partner violence
repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse
parentification (children taking adult roles)
sexual abuse
cult indoctrination
genocide (current or intergenerational)
poverty
migration
Similarly to PTSD, complex trauma is experienced as an overwhelm on the body and mind that causes our nervous system to stay stuck in survival responses like fight, flight or freeze. As a result, common symptoms you may experience with complex trauma include:
emotional flashbacks
irritability or challenges controlling emotions
insomnia and nightmares
hypervigilance or constantly being on edge
loss of interest in pleasurable activities
feelings of worthlessness
anger or distrust of others
social isolation and challenges building relationships
dissociation, like derealization or depersonalization
suicidal thoughts
I offer a somatic, relational approach to Complex PTSD to explore and heal past relational wounds so my clients can develop more satisfying relationships. You deserve to feel valued, loved and accepted and I would be honored to help you work past the blocks that may be impeding you from seeking and fostering the relationships that you long for so deeply.