SPECIALTIES
ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Adverse Childhood Experiences can be significant contributors to many problems. These include severe depression and suicidality; chronic states of stress, anxiety, fear and anger; an inability to trust others; difficulties making and maintaining relationships; sexual dysfunction; difficulties with authority and holding a job; and being at higher risk for interpersonal violence.
COMPLEX TRUAMA AND RELATED ISSUES
I specialize in working with complex trauma. Complex trauma is a term used to capture the lingering effects of repeated adverse childhood experiences. The cumulative effects of many hurts combined with the ongoing interruptions of the normal developmental process creates a complex mix of a dysregulated nervous system, emotional wounding, and life lessons that are tuned to survival in extreme circumstances.
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Dissociative Identity Disorder can be one very frightening and confusing result of adverse childhood experiences. Despite what popular culture and some professionals say, DID is best treated as a normal (if extreme) adaptation to highly abnormal, overwhelming, circumstances. Many people do not want to acknowledge the possibility of DID because of the stigma and sensationalism surrounding "multiple personalities" in the popular culture. So they suffer in silence fearing they are crazy. They often endure many years of diagnosis and treatment for everything but DID at great cost financially and emotionally. If you suspect you might be struggling with DID, please contact me. You are not crazy.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, panic attacks, substance use and eating disorders frequently co-occur with complex trauma. Often these are symptoms of an underlying trauma disorder. If you have been bounced around the mental health system and have been labeled with several diagnosis and are taking a handful of pills it may be time to look a little deeper, for an underlying cause.
NARCISSTIC ABUSE
Narcissistic abuse is a type of emotional abuse where the abuser only cares about themselves, and may use words and actions to manipulate their partner's behavior and emotional state. I have worked with many people seemingly trapped in relationships controlled by narcissistic partners. I work with you to understand the dynamics of this type of relationship and develop strategies, skills and tools for changing it..
COUPLES THERAPY
I am not starting new couples at this time. If you are a returning client please contact me for an appointment.