Trauma Counseling

Do you suspect your past is interfering with your life today?

Perhaps you know there are traumas from the past that you have never really dealt with, such as your parent’s divorce, being abused or neglected as a child, being betrayed by someone close to you, or experiencing a significant loss.

Or maybe trauma is too strong of a word, but you suspect that certain things you have experienced have had a lasting effect on you such as, constantly moving as a child, having parents who were emotionally unavailable or always arguing, or being bullied at work or home.

Often trauma isn’t just about a single event; it can come from various sources and impact you in unique ways.
You might experience symptoms such as hyper-vigilance, flashbacks or difficulty relaxing as your body remains in a heightened state of alert. Traumatic experiences, whether singular or prolonged, can lead to responses such as deep-seated anxiety, chronic feelings of emptiness and difficulty trusting others.

Our traumatic experiences rewire our brains to prioritize safety and vigilance rather than curiosity and joy. Our brains are surprisingly good at helping us survive trauma, but often we don’t like or understand the methods our brains choose to keep us safe. These reactions are your body’s way of protecting you, but they can create barriers to feeling safe and engaging in everyday life.

Trauma often pushes us into survival mode, making it necessary to protect ourselves in unsafe or emotionally insecure situations. The good news is that you don’t have to stay in that fight-or-flight space. We will work to identify the responses and habits that are no longer serving you and replace them with ones that will help you heal and move forward towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

My approach to trauma therapy involves moving at a pace that feels safe and comfortable to you. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. Our work will ensure that you have the skills, information and support to confidently handle any challenges that come your way.

You control the process. We’ll work together to ensure that your healing journey feels safe, supportive, and manageable at every step.

Contact Julie Shepardson to learn more about the impact of counseling and to schedule an appointment.