Many women I’ve worked with come to me carrying the same quiet issue: “Why am I still struggling? I’ve done therapy before and did what I was supposed to do.”
They usually saw a general therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist for awhile. They learned coping skills to try to manage anxiety, push through triggers, and make sense of reactions that felt bigger than they should be.
Those skills helped them survive. But, the skills didn’t reach the heart of what was keeping them stuck.
That’s when many women are referred to or seek out trauma-focused therapy. Not because they failed therapy, but because the care they received wasn’t designed to address the root of past trauma.
That’s why I specialize in evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. To help women move beyond surface-level coping and move toward real and lasting change.
What I saw that wasn’t working
Over time, I noticed a consistent pattern. Women were doing what they were taught to do: using coping skills, managing symptoms, and staying functional. Yet, they still felt stuck. Not because they weren’t trying hard enough, but because the core of their past trauma wasn’t being addressed directly. That’s where my role as a psychologist specializing in evidence-based, trauma-focused treatment comes in.
Why I do evidence-based, trauma-focused therapies (like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy are evidence-based, trauma-focused treatments that are shown to be effective. (Read more about them here)
I help you learn the tools for healing, not just coping. These approaches help your mind + body learn that the danger is over; that they don’t have to keep carrying the heavy load. When you feel stuck in a maze of thoughts and emotions and unsure of the way out, together we peel back the layers of the windy path, getting to the core where real change happens. I’m here to guide you with a gentle and direct approach.
Why I opened a private practice to increase access to evidence-based therapy for PTSD
I opened my private practice to increase access, particularly for civilian women, to first-line, evidence-based trauma-focused treatments like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Many people associate these therapies with military or VA settings. Others think EMDR is the only effective trauma therapy available. While EMDR can be helpful for some, it’s not the only option to treat PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Having choice matters, especially when you’ve already lived through experiences where you didn’t have one.
Civilian women deserve to know that there are several effective trauma therapy options. Trauma-focused care isn’t limited to a specific population or a single approach. My goal has always been to help women understand their options so they can make informed decisions.
There’s no one “right” trauma therapy
Different therapies work for different people. What matters most is that the approach is:
+ Trauma-focused
+ Evidence-based
+ Fits your needs, preferences, and readiness
I’m here to help guide and support you in finding what fits you.
Who this work (trauma-focused therapy) is for
Trauma-focused therapy may be a fit for you if:
+ You’ve done therapy before and still feel stuck.
+ You feel anxious, on high alert all the time, or feelings of guilt and shame.
+ You want more than managing symptoms.
+ You’re looking for deeper and lasting healing, even if you feel unsure.
Who this work (trauma-focused therapy) may not be for
This approach may not be a good fit right now if:
+ You’re looking for only short-term coping tools.
+ You’re not ready to explore trauma-focused treatment.
Moving Forward
You don’t have to know exactly what you need to take the next step.
If something in this piece resonated, even if you’re unsure, nervous or not quite ready, that curiosity on its own can be enough to take the first step.
I offer a free, brief consult to help you understand your options for evidence-based trauma-focused therapy and see what feels like the right fit for you, at your pace.
