Trauma and PTSD therapists in Portland, Oregon OR

Every year, more than 8 million people in the United States struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) along with another 350 million people worldwide. PTSD can occur in people who have experienced or even witnessed a severe trauma, and it affects areas of the brain connected to managing difficult emotions, especially fear and anxiety. PTSD can create intense physical, emotional, and mental distress, and if left untreated, it can lead to long-term psychological and physiological damage. Thankfully, energy psychology – specifically acupoint tapping -- can help! More Potent Than Other Therapies Tapping on acupuncture points while bringing the memory of a traumatic event to mind sends signals to emotional centers of the brain, specifically the amygdala and other areas of the limbic system. This can counter the body's threat response. Acupoint tapping has been shown to reduce: Exaggerated responses to triggers Hyperarousal in the limbic system Insomnia Elevated levels of cortisol and other stress hormones Impaired immune functioning Distortions in learning and memory, and Imbalances between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity The 7 Advantages of Acupoint Tapping in the Treatment of PTSD Advantage #1: Fewer Treatment Sessions Cognitive-behavioral therapies are the treatment of choice in most conventional mental health settings. They average between 12 and 16 sessions for treating PTSD. Nonetheless, up to two-thirds of those completing the treatment still carry the PTSD diagnosis after treatment. Meanwhile, a study of the use of EFT for treating PTSD in a public health facility in Scotland authorized patients to receive up to 8 treatment sessions. Voluntary termination of treatment occurred, however, after an average of 3.8 sessions, with strong positive outcomes on post-treatment measures. A landmark study by Dawson Church and colleagues found that 86% of 49 war veterans no longer scored in the PTSD range after 6 hour-long EFT sessions. The study has been replicated with similar outcomes. Advantage #2: Lasting Results Studies reporting treatment effects for the use of acupoint tapping and energy psychology in PTSD typically show significant overall reductions in symptoms and their impact, and these improvements tended to stand the test of time. Advantage #3: Low Risk of Negative Side-Effects Existing evidence strongly suggests that energy psychology and acupoint tapping can be safely used to treat PTSD. Advantage #4: Minimal Training Needed A seasoned clinician can learn and begin applying a basic tapping protocol very quickly. Even people who don’t have extensive mental health backgrounds can be effective with the method as long as they understand the boundaries of their scope of service. For instance, several studies used life coaches rather than licensed mental health professionals to use tapping sessions in the treatment of PTSD and found they were nearly as effective. Advantage #5: Effective for Groups Unlike many psychotherapy methods that require one-on-one sessions, acupoint tapping can be highly effective when delivered to groups. This makes it suitable for combat battalions returning from deployment, refugees living in camps, caregivers returning from humanitarian missions, and children in classrooms. Advantage #6: Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Medical Costs When PTSD is not successfully treated, it produces adverse changes in the brain, and the impact extends beyond the patient and their family. If symptoms persist, the data shows increased lifetime hospitalization, disease burden, and medical costs. By helping people overcome PTSD, acupoint tapping positively impacts their quality of life and society's medical costs. Advantage #7: In-Person Sessions Not Required A study focused on the effects of EFT delivered by phone versus in-office sessions showed that just 6 phone treatment sessions could effectively alleviate clinical PTSD symptoms in 67% of patients. In another study, 26 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia showed significant improvement in symptoms such as pain, anxiety, depression, vitality, social function, activity level, and performance problems following their participation in an online EFT treatment program. This makes it possible to utilize electronic media to offer acupoint tapping treatments to underserved populations or others who cannot access conventional in-person therapy, such as military personnel in combat zones and those living in rural areas. For millions of people with PTSD, energy psychology -- specifically acupoint tapping -- offers much-needed hope and relief. As discussed in this article, acupoint tapping can help large numbers of people relatively quickly. It is a powerful intervention that is proving to be an effective antidote to living with the pain of PTSD. As a survivor myself, I've spent a lifetime studying the effects of trauma on the body and the brain. I specialize in helping people understand the ways trauma impacts their lives, their relationships and their emotional and behavioral experiences. Trauma takes place as a singular event or many events that overwhelm a person's ability to cope. Unresolved trauma is complicated and it causes many in-the-present life problems. This is confusing because we often have no idea why we are getting upset about something, feel certain ways or have unexplainable anger. Whether it be to heal with the impact of discrete traumatic events or complex interpersonal trauma, I use a combination of techniques from Energy Psychology such as Emotional Freedom Technique (or Tapping, as most people know it), Tapas Acupressure Technique, RIM Hypnotherapy, EMDR, Cognitive-Behavioral techniques, DBT, grounding and centering techniques and Shamanic soul retrieval to help you build safety and seIf worth. I teach emotion regulation skills and we use the therapeutic relationship itself so that you can feel more grounded and secure in connection with yourself and others.  

I believe we all have experienced adverse events, significant moments in life and undeniable little and big traumas that have defined how we view the world. My goal in working with clients who have experienced trauma and who are addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is to provide a gentle, slow approach to explore and reveal trauma, rewire the body and brain's response to the trauma and reconnect with our family, friends and the world-at-large again feeling safe and secure.  

Trauma is an anxiety and emotional response to events or experiences that leave us feeling deeply unsafe and often helpless. Connecting with a therapist to process through these experiences can be very beneficial in cultivating healing and change.  

I follow the work of the leaders in Trauma and PTSD, like Bessel Van der Kolk and Gabor Mate, and feel that this is some of the most important work in my field. I help many clients with their process through and sometimes even out of this type of conflict.  

The way that a person has learned to protect themself self from a traumatic event develops into a part of their character in adult life. I am trained to help you understand all of your parts and show you that the scary experience is over. I will help you truly feel that you got through it and you can protect yourself if you need to!  

I specialize in working with adults who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, or otherwise "othered" or outcast. I completed specialized training in Oregon that allows me to diagnose for autism and ADHD. I especially love working with people in transition, be it gender, sexual orientation, or life changes. I have experience with the grief process, aging, and career exploration/changes. I help with Emotional Support Animal paperwork if indicated. My practice is 100% telehealth, which works great for many people but not for severe mental health challenges, which respond better to in-person appointments at multidisciplinary clinics. My theory is based in identifying the stories we are told/we have lived and retelling/ living new stories that suit us better. I guide you-mind and body-to make this happen through a blend of narrative therapy, somatic work, and cognitive/dialectical behavior therapy. I also incorporate social justice and spirituality (extremely broadly defined) in my work. While I am new to private practice, I have cultivated unique blend of interests, life experiences, and clinical abilities that my clients really appreciate. Often clients appreciate my multicultural focus, as a got a masters in sociology before my mental health counseling degree. I am also known for being one of the most open-minded people you could imagine!  

we specialize in helping individuals who have experienced trauma or are dealing with PTSD. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help clients process and heal from past traumatic experiences. Whether you're struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness, we provide a compassionate and safe space to work through your trauma. Our goal is to support you in regaining a sense of control, healing from past wounds, and reclaiming a fulfilling life.  

CPT helps people recognize how trauma has changed their view about themselves, others, and the world. CPT teaches people to recognize the negative thoughts that are created by the trauma. These thoughts are called "stuck points" in CPT because they keep people stuck and get in the way of recovery from PTSD (from the National Center for PTSD (.gov))  

Trauma and PTSD usually go hand in hand. Negative emotionally charged experiences may be remain unresolved from early childhood or experienced as adults in extreme stress filled experiences such as combat, domestic violence or other traumatic situations. Unresolved trauma gets stored in the body, many times creating somatic/physical disorders if not treated. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a world wide treatment modality that searches for the somatic bridges that connect these traumas.