Therapy for Trauma and CPTSD

Trauma therapy helps you process overwhelming or long-term distressing experiences so your body and mind can return to a sense of safety. It focuses on reducing symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, and flashbacks, while helping you rebuild trust, stability, and self-connection.

There is no “one size fits all” definition of trauma. If you experienced something that felt traumatic, then it was traumatic. Your experience and feelings are valid and I can help you process and heal from them.

C-PTSD develops after long-term, repeated trauma—often in childhood, relationships, or environments where escape wasn’t possible. PTSD is often tied to a single event. C-PTSD can affect emotional regulation, self-worth, relationships, and your sense of safety. Both are treatable with the right support.

You may be feeling like your problems aren’t big enough or bad enough to be considered “trauma.” Everyone’s experiences are different, but everyone’s experiences are valid.

Sometimes trauma looks like a single big event, such as a car accident. Other times it looks like a long series of events, such as verbal, physical or sexual abuse in childhood or relationships.

In therapy together, we will work on examining how your painful experiences are affecting your life today. Then, we will build the skills you need in order to process your past and move towards a more confident and resilient future.

I use evidence-based, trauma informed approaches including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Therapy is always tailored to the individual and their own needs, experiences and capacity.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a gentle, powerful approach that views each person as a system of “parts” - protective parts, wounded parts and core Self.

Trauma often forces parts into extreme roles, where they get stuck. IFS helps to rebuild safety within your system so your parts can release the burdens of trauma and heal.

Mary Elizabeth is a Level 1 trained IFS therapist and specializes in using this approach with clients.

No. Trauma therapy - including IFS - never forces you to share anything until you feel ready to do so.

We will always work at a pace that feels safe.

While all experiences and histories are welcome, I specialize in treating adult survivors of childhood trauma, emotional neglect, relationship trauma, sexual trauma and repeated or long-term distressing experiences. I also support individuals healing from attachment wounds and complex trauma (C-PTSD).

Healing looks different for everyone. Some people feel relief within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll talk through your goals and symptoms to find a pace and plan that feels right for you.

Yes. Many trauma survivors have partial memories or emotional memories without clear details. Therapy - especially IFS - can help you heal your internal responses without needing perfect recall.

Therapy is designed to feel safe, not overwhelming. We move slowly, use grounding skills and check in frequently.

Approaches like IFS allow you to engage with your inner system gently, without diving in too fast.

Clients often report improved emotional regulation, stronger connection within relationships, fewer triggers, increased self-esteem, reduced anxiety and a stronger sense of themselves. Trauma therapy also helps to rebuild a sense of safety in the body.

Yes. Trauma often shows up as anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, emotional numbness, uncontrolled anger, or difficulty trusting others. Treating the underlying trauma - especially through IFS - can significantly improve these symptoms.

1. Let’s start with a free 15 minute conversation where I will get some basic information and answer any questions you may have.

2. If you feel good about working with me, then I will send you my intake paperwork for you to complete.

3. Once you have completed the documents, we will schedule our first appointment.