Healing from wounds that shaped you.

Complex Trauma Therapy in California, Pennsylvania, & Virginia

You deserve to feel safe in your own body and at peace in your relationships. That healing is not only possible—it's returning to who you truly are!

You've Survived More Than Most People Could Imagine!

If you're reading this, you've likely experienced trauma that goes beyond a single incident—perhaps childhood abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, or growing up in an unpredictable, unsafe environment. Complex trauma doesn't just leave you with difficult memories; it can reshape how you see yourself, others, and the world around you.

You might feel like you're constantly on edge, struggle with relationships, or find yourself reacting in ways that don't make sense to others—or even to yourself. These aren't character flaws or weaknesses. They're adaptive responses your nervous system developed to help you survive impossible circumstances.

Complex trauma therapy offers a path toward genuine healing, not just symptom management.

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Breaking Down Complex Trauma: What It Looks Like Today

Complex trauma typically develops from repeated, prolonged exposure to traumatic events, especially during childhood when your brain and nervous system were still forming. Unlike single-incident trauma, complex trauma affects your core sense of self and your ability to navigate relationships and daily life.

You might recognize these experiences:

  • Feeling emotionally numb or overwhelmed without warning

  • Difficulty trusting others, even those who care about you

  • Intense shame or feeling fundamentally "broken" or "different"

  • Hypervigilance—constantly scanning for danger or rejection

  • Dissociation—feeling disconnected from your body or surroundings

  • Difficulty regulating emotions—small triggers can feel overwhelming

  • Patterns of self-sabotage in relationships or career

  • Physical symptoms like chronic pain, insomnia, or digestive issues

Complex trauma often impacts:

  • Your ability to form secure, lasting relationships

  • Professional success and decision-making

  • Parenting and family dynamics

  • Physical health and stress management

  • Self-compassion and inner dialogue

If these patterns feel familiar, you're not alone, and more importantly, healing is absolutely possible.

A Specialized Approach For Complex Healing

Complex trauma requires more than traditional talk therapy. My approach integrates multiple evidence-based methods specifically designed for trauma that lives in both mind and body.

My treatment approach combines:

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy: Creating safety and rebuilding trust as the foundation for all healing work

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Helping your brain process traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Rebuilding your capacity for healthy thoughts, emotions, and showing up in the world the way you want

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Increase your distress tolerance skills, ability to regulate your emotions, and effectively communicate with others to help strengthen relationships and connections.

What makes my approach unique: I understand that complex trauma isn't just about what happened to you—it's about what didn't happen. The safety, attunement, and consistent care that should have been present but wasn't. My therapy focuses on providing the relational healing experience you needed then and deserve now.

Your healing journey will likely include:

  • Phase 1: Stabilization - Building safety, coping skills, and nervous system regulation

  • Phase 2: Processing - Carefully working through traumatic memories and experiences

  • Phase 3: Integration - Rebuilding your sense of self and creating the life you want

Sessions are collaborative and always go at your pace. You're in control of your healing process.

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This therapy is designed for you if:

  • You experienced childhood abuse, neglect, or grew up in a chaotic household

  • You've been diagnosed with PTSD, C-PTSD, or struggle with trauma symptoms

  • Previous therapy felt helpful but didn't address the deeper patterns

  • You're ready to move beyond just "coping" to genuine healing

  • You want to break generational cycles of trauma

  • You're struggling with addiction or eating disorders rooted in trauma

  • You feel stuck in patterns of relationships that hurt you

  • You're a parent wanting to heal so you can show up differently for your children

I work with adults of all ages who are ready to commit to their healing journey. Some of my clients are just beginning to understand their trauma, while others have been in therapy before but are seeking deeper, more specialized work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Complex trauma typically stems from repeated, ongoing traumatic experiences, especially in childhood, while PTSD can develop from single traumatic events. Complex trauma often affects your sense of self, relationships, and emotional regulation more pervasively.

  • Healing isn't always linear, and you might experience some difficult emotions as we work together. However, we'll always go at your pace and build strong coping skills before processing traumatic material.

  • Healing timelines vary greatly depending on your specific experiences, current life circumstances, and goals. Most clients work with me for 1-3 years, with sessions ranging from weekly at 50 or 80 minute sessions, bi-weekly, or every other week as progress unfolds.

  • Complex trauma therapy uses specialized approaches that traditional talk therapy might not include. We work with your nervous system, body, and unconscious patterns—not just your thoughts and conscious memories.

Ready to reclaim your life from trauma's grip? Your healing journey is waiting.