Connect. Repair. Heal.

What do all these acronyms mean and do any apply to me?

PTSD is a nervous system state where survival is prioritized over connection and the nervous system continues to prioritize survival long after the triggering event ended. It is not uncommon for adult survivors of trauma to come to therapy later in life seeking support for something that in time occurred long ago, but the body continues to respond as if it's happening now. 

C-PTSD is different in that the triggering event or string of events originates in a person's early childhood. The "C" stands for complex, meaning that someone who was meant to care and protect us by way of their relation to us, instead was the person doing harm. 

Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) refers to the psychcological struggle that ensues when grappling with PTSD or C-PTSD and our core beliefs about ourselves and the world are challenged. Through the struggle we gain a sense of personal growth contributing to positive shifts in our lives such as in our relationships, we feel stronger,  possibilities open up, appreciation of life and even spiritual change emerge.

If 70% of the world population experiences traumatic events, how then do we carry these events into our intimate and sexual relationships and even into our family systems? 

Half of all women and a quarter of all men experience sexual violence. While gathering data is sometimes difficult, there is consensus that people within the LGBTQ community experience sexual violence at higher rates than cis-gender and heteronormative people. 

Relationships are meant to be a place of refuge and when we have a history of relational harm, relationships can feel quite threatening at times. and how we have learned to adapt in the face of traumatic experiences.

My work with couples and intimate partnerships is heavily informed and influenced by my formal training in neurophysiology and how we have learned to adapt in the face of traumatic experiences. 

Perinatal mental health focuses on pregnant individuals, new parents, and their families, addressing the unique challenges that arise during this transformative time. This includes but is not limited to parenting support, difficulty conceiving, pregnancy loss & grief, perinatal depression and anxiety, or birth trauma. 

Teens and young adults are at a pivotal time of their lives which presents its own unique opportunities for growth and challenges. Having a third party, caring and trusted adult at this time aids in you becoming the conscious, active driver of your own life versus an unconscious, passive passenger.