If you've been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused, those scars often carry over into your relationships with yourself and others. We use empirically proven techniques to address feelings of shame, self-doubt, and distrust.
Instead of following the 'positive vibes only' approach, I understand that trauma has a profound impact on the brain, which is why traditional talk therapy may not work for everyone. I provide alternative therapies for those seeking a more holistic and diverse approach to counseling, including DBT, EMDR, ecotherapy, Eastern philosophy, and logotherapy (finding meaning in suffering).
Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art, repairs broken pottery with gold, turning the cracks into a beautiful part of the object's history rather than something to conceal. I use this concept in my trauma work, helping you view suffering as a meaningful part of your life story, with painful memories becoming the golden threads in the mosaic of your life.
Licensed Professional Counselor, M.A., LPC, CART, EMDR Certified Therapist, BSP Certified Therapist, BSP Consultant-in-Training, ICBCH Certified Professional Hypnotist, PPNE
Trauma and PTSD are held in our bodies. Memories, feelings, smells, sounds, sites, situations, and events can act as stimuli being triggered into intense emotional or physical reactions, such as panic attacks. Therapeutic interventions help our brains to learn new ways to reorganize synaptic connections resulting in lessening or release of symptoms and triggers from the trauma(s). EMDR and other evidence-based modalities integrative therapies are used. After successful EMDR therapy, emotional distress is relieved, negative beliefs and limitations are reformulated into positive beliefs and strengths, and physiological arousal is reduced. EMDR therapy is offered online with eye movement, audio or physical bilateral stimulation based upon the client's preference.
Trauma can come from a lot of things including abuse, tragedy, abandon, neglect and a lot of other things that have scarred a person throughout their lifetime. PTSD can be come from accidental deaths or military service. I have treated clients dealing with various forms of abuse, as well as military PTSD clients from WWII to Afghanistan vets.
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LPC-S, LCSW-S
Trauma is the exposure to seriously stressful and often life threatening situations. Many people who have experienced trauma have an overwhelming thought that something is very, very, wrong but have no ability, capacity, or understanding of how to stop it. There are some who have gone through traumatic experiences and assume everyone goes through things like that. So for many years, they don’t realize they have gone through trauma at all. La Luz Counseling is here to help with that.
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It is a complex disorder that affects individuals differently, but it generally involves a range of symptoms that persist long after the traumatic experience has ended. These symptoms can significantly impact a person's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Trauma is incapacitating. No matter what traumatized you, war, sexual abuse, violence, divorce, job loss, or anything else that affected you negatively, I am here to help you get your life back to normal. My practice focuses on trauma.
I am an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART Therapy) training therapist. I can use my training to help people heal from Trauma and PTSD in just a few sessions. It uses the most up-to-date brain science and is evidence-based with tremendous results. Contact me today to learn more.