In-person in Scottsdale, AZ
& via Telehealth across AZ, CA, & MA
Trauma Therapy
What is trauma?
Trauma is the mind and body’s natural response to experiences that feel overwhelming or unsafe. When something exceeds our ability to cope, our nervous system shifts into survival mode to protect us. While this reaction helps us endure in the moment, it can leave lasting effects long after the threat has passed.
Trauma can affect every part of life — emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually. It can change how we see ourselves, how safe we feel in the world, and how we connect with others. Some traumas stem from a single, identifiable event such as an accident, loss, or betrayal. Others develop gradually through ongoing experiences like neglect, emotional abuse, or growing up in an environment where your needs were not seen or met.
No matter the cause, trauma is not a sign of weakness — it’s a human response to overwhelming circumstances. Healing involves helping the body and mind learn that it is finally safe to rest, to feel, and to connect again.
Which factors can
lead to Trauma?
Trauma can develop from a wide range of experiences — both single events and ongoing stress over time. What feels traumatic for one person might not feel the same for another; what matters most is how the experience impacts your sense of safety, control, and belonging.
Some experiences that can contribute to trauma include:
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Childhood abuse or neglect — physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological harm during early development.
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Emotional deprivation or inconsistent caregiving — growing up without reliable emotional support, comfort, or validation.
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Intimate partner violence or domestic abuse — ongoing control, fear, or humiliation in a close relationship.
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Narcissistic or psychological manipulation — being subjected to gaslighting, emotional coercion, or chronic invalidation.
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Sudden loss or separation — losing someone close through death, abandonment, or unexpected change.
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Chronic stress or family conflict — prolonged tension, instability, or emotional volatility within the family system.
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Growing up with a parent who struggles with mental illness or addiction — taking on adult responsibilities too early or feeling unsafe.
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Exposure to community violence or war — witnessing or being affected by violence, displacement, or terrorism.
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Experiencing discrimination, racism, or systemic oppression — ongoing invalidation or exclusion that erodes safety and identity.
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Financial instability or poverty — persistent uncertainty about meeting basic needs.
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Food insecurity or homelessness — lack of consistent access to safety, nourishment, or shelter.
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Medical or reproductive trauma — distressing medical experiences, chronic illness, or invasive procedures.
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Natural disasters or accidents — events that cause shock, injury, or a lasting sense of vulnerability.
What are the three different types of trauma?
Trauma can take many forms, and understanding the different types can help make sense of how past experiences continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, and relationships today.
Acute Trauma
Acute trauma results from a single overwhelming or distressing event — for example, a car accident, natural disaster, medical emergency, or the sudden loss of a loved one. These experiences can leave a lasting impact on the nervous system, even when they happen only once.
Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma develops through repeated or prolonged exposure to highly stressful or harmful situations. This may include ongoing childhood abuse or neglect, exposure to domestic violence, toxic or unsafe relationships, or long-term combat experience. Over time, the body and mind can adapt to a constant state of alertness or fear, making it difficult to feel safe or at ease.
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma refers to multiple, often interconnected traumatic experiences—particularly those that occur within close relationships and begin early in life. These experiences are frequently ongoing and may involve repeated betrayal, abandonment, or abuse by caregivers or trusted individuals. Complex trauma can also be influenced by intergenerational patterns of dysfunction, systemic oppression, and chronic instability.
Individuals living with complex trauma often face overlapping emotional, relational, and physical symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, or difficulty trusting others. Healing from complex trauma involves rebuilding safety, connection, and self-trust over time.
What are symptoms
of trauma?
Trauma affects far more than memory — it lives in the body, shapes how we relate to others, and influences the way we see ourselves and the world. When we’ve experienced something overwhelming or unsafe, our nervous system can remain on alert, even long after the danger has passed.
These effects can appear in emotional, physical, and relational ways. Understanding your symptoms is an important step toward healing, self-compassion, and change.
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
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Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
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Shock, denial, or emotional numbness
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Anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance (always feeling “on edge”)
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Mood swings, irritability, or sudden outbursts of anger
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Shame, guilt, or chronic self-blame
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
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Flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares
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Emotional disconnection or loss of joy
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Fear of abandonment or rejection
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Feeling unworthy of love or care
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Challenges trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
Relational Symptoms
Because trauma often impacts attachment and safety, it can show up most clearly in our relationships:
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Pulling away emotionally or physically from loved ones
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Feeling easily triggered by conflict, criticism, or perceived rejection
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Difficulty expressing needs, setting boundaries, or being vulnerable
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Repeating painful or familiar relationship patterns
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Feeling responsible for others’ emotions or constantly seeking reassurance
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Becoming controlling or avoidant in an attempt to feel safe
When trauma isn’t processed, it can quietly shape how couples communicate, how families connect, and how individuals show up in love. Healing these patterns helps rebuild trust and emotional closeness.
Physical and Somatic Symptoms
Trauma is stored not just in the mind, but also in the body. Many survivors experience:
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Trouble sleeping or recurring nightmares
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Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
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Muscle tension, body aches, or unexplained pain
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Headaches, stomach discomfort, or digestive issues
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Racing heart, shallow breathing, or trembling
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Heightened startle response
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Changes in appetite or eating patterns
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Increased use of substances, overeating, or avoidance behaviors
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Worsening of existing health conditions
Trauma Recovery
Trauma changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. It can leave you feeling unsafe in your own body, disconnected from your emotions, or unsure who to trust.
These responses aren’t weakness — they’re signs of a nervous system that has been working hard to keep you safe.
With the right support, healing from trauma is absolutely possible. It begins with understanding how your mind and body have been trying to protect you — and learning that you no longer have to live in survival mode.
Understanding Your Story
Recognizing the roots of trauma is the first step toward healing.
Whether your pain stems from childhood neglect, emotional abuse, relationship wounds, or years of cumulative stress, therapy offers a safe space to begin making sense of what happened.
Together, we’ll gently identify these experiences, understand how they continue to affect your emotions and relationships, and help you reconnect with empowerment, compassion, and self-trust.
Healing means rewriting your story — one rooted not in survival, but in safety, resilience, and connection.
How Trauma Shapes Us
Unresolved trauma can quietly influence how we relate, love, and protect ourselves. It may affect:
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How you express (or avoid) emotions
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Your ability to feel safe with closeness
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Your boundaries and sense of self-worth
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Your physical health and energy levels
Healing begins by understanding these patterns with compassion rather than judgment — and learning new ways to feel safe, present, and connected.
Healing from Trauma
Healing from trauma isn’t about forgetting the past — it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety and connection in the present.
As a trauma-informed therapist, I specialize in working with survivors of abuse, neglect, and relationship-based trauma. My approach integrates attachment-focused and somatic (body-based) principles to help you process painful experiences, regulate your nervous system, and rebuild trust — in yourself and others.
In therapy, we move at your pace. Together, we’ll:
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Explore how trauma has shaped your emotions, relationships, and patterns
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Identify parts of you that have carried pain, fear, or protection for too long
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Develop emotional safety, grounding, and connection
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Relearn how to express needs and boundaries with confidence
Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t happen overnight — but with support, it is absolutely possible. Over time, many clients experience more ease in relationships, greater resilience, and a renewed sense of peace within themselves.
You Deserve to Feel Safe Again
Whether you’re healing from childhood abuse, emotional neglect, or relational trauma, therapy offers a compassionate space to begin rebuilding safety, trust, and belonging.
Through this work, you can:
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Feel grounded and safe in your body again
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Strengthen your sense of calm and confidence
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Reconnect with your authentic self and your loved ones
Trauma may have shaped your past, but it does not define your future.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. Together, we’ll begin transforming pain into understanding, and survival into genuine healing.