PTSD and Complex Trauma
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health challenge that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, rape, or any other violent personal assault. For some, even witnessing violence can cause PTSD.
Complex trauma refers to repeated or ongoing traumatic experiences, often beginning in childhood. These experiences may include emotional neglect, physical or sexual abuse, witnessing violence, or living in a consistently unpredictable, chaotic, or unsafe environment. Because these events happen over time—often in relationships that were supposed to provide safety—they can deeply affect a person’s ability to trust, feel secure, regulate emotions, and form a stable sense of self. People with complex trauma may not always remember specific events, but they often carry symptoms in their body, emotions, and relationships.
In some cases, complex trauma may also lead to dissociative responses, where parts of the mind separate from overwhelming experiences as a way to cope. This can show up as feeling disconnected from your body or emotions, having memory gaps, or feeling like different “parts” of you respond in different situations. These are natural protective strategies the mind develops to survive what once felt unbearable.
Attachment trauma happens when early relationships—especially with caregivers—don’t feel safe, consistent, or nurturing. This can include emotional neglect, inconsistent care, or experiences of abandonment or rejection. These early wounds can impact how a person connects with others, trusts, and feels about themselves in relationships. Therapy can help build healthier patterns of connection and self-worth.
Common Symptoms of PTSD:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
Nightmares or trouble sleeping
Feeling jumpy or easily startled
Avoiding reminders of the trauma (people, places, or conversations)
Feeling emotionally numb or detached
Irritability, anger, or mood swings
Difficulty concentrating
Persistent feelings of fear, guilt, or shame
Common Symptoms of Complex Trauma:
Ongoing difficulty with relationships and trust
Deep-seated feelings of worthlessness or shame
Trouble managing emotions (feeling overwhelmed, shut down, or reactive)
Dissociation or feeling disconnected from the body or surroundings
Chronic anxiety or depression
A strong inner critic or harsh self-judgment
Difficulty knowing or expressing personal needs
Feeling stuck in patterns of people-pleasing or avoidance
Common Symptoms of Attachment Trauma:
Fear of abandonment or rejection, even in safe relationships
Difficulty trusting others or feeling close
Intense need for approval or reassurance
Trouble setting healthy boundaries
Feelings of unworthiness or being “too much”
Struggles with emotional regulation—feeling overwhelmed or shut down
A pattern of clinging to or avoiding relationships
Confusion about identity or sense of self
How Can Treatment Help?
Healing from trauma is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. Everyone’s healing journey is unique, and therapy is always paced and personalized to meet your needs.
In addition to the listed therapy modalities, I have completed trainings through the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). My specialized training in working with dissociative processes and disorders allows me to gently support clients in exploring these experiences at a pace that feels safe. Together, we work to build a stronger sense of internal connection, emotional balance, and personal wholeness—one step at a time.
Below are some of the approaches I may use to support your healing:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming. Through guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, the brain begins to “unstick” painful experiences and shift how they’re stored, reducing emotional intensity over time.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
This approach gently brings awareness to how trauma lives in the body. By combining talk therapy with attention to posture, movement, and physical sensations, sensorimotor work helps build regulation, reconnect body and mind, and create new patterns of safety and control.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting uses eye positions to access deep parts of the brain connected to trauma and emotional pain. As we focus on a specific spot in your visual field, your brain and body begin to process and release what’s been stored beneath the surface—often without needing to talk through all the details.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
ART uses a blend of eye movements, relaxation, and visualization to help the brain quickly shift how it holds traumatic memories. It’s structured, efficient, and often leads to significant relief in just a few sessions—all without needing to describe every detail of what happened.
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If you or someone you care about is living with the lasting effects of trauma, you're not alone—and healing is possible. I’ve witnessed the powerful transformation that can happen through therapy and would be honored to support you on your path toward greater peace, connection, and joy. Please feel free to reach out to explore how we might work together.