Complex Trauma Recovery

Complex PTSD forms in response to repeated interpersonal physical or emotional violence or neglect. It can lead to emotional flashbacks, and typically leaves the survivor feeling stuck in patterns of shame and self-sabotage. Your body may show symptoms including shallow breathing, armoring (chronic muscle tightness), or frequent flight-or-flight sensations. Suicidal ideation is not uncommon for those living with complex PTSD.

My experience treating survivors of complex trauma, and my own healing journey, has taught me that traditional talk therapy is often not enough for recovery. Rather, it’s essential to access the deeper, limbic region of the brain, since this is where traumatic, sometimes pre-verbal, memory is stored. To do this, I utilize Brainspotting (a somatic modality related to EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Informed Parts work, and wisdom from PolyVagal and Attachment theories to help survivors process and heal from deeply held patterns of nervous system distress. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be helpful to consider as well.

With support over time, you can begin to re-integrate parts of yourself that were exiled in order to survive the trauma, and become reacquainted with your Core Self. You can learn to make your body an ally in healing. It is possible to feel better, and I would be honored to guide you along this journey.