Trauma-Informed Therapy
Everyone experiences trauma differently, whether you have experienced a specific traumatic event, or are recovering from chronic emotional abuse or neglect from family or romantic partners. You can learn to heal past wounds with a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist who will honor your unique journey to recovery.
When Trauma Is Shaped by Stigma, Secrecy, or Being Misunderstood
Trauma does not occur in a vacuum, and for many LGBTQ+, kink, and ethically non-monogamous people, it is shaped by chronic misunderstanding, invisibility, or the need to stay guarded in order to feel safe. Trauma may show up not only as responses to specific events, but as the cumulative impact of navigating stigma, secrecy, boundary violations, or environments where parts of your identity were dismissed, pathologized, or misunderstood. This can affect trust, intimacy, nervous system regulation, and how safe it feels to be fully known in relationships. Therapy offers a space to explore these experiences with care and respect, without assuming that your identity or relationship structure is the problem.
What Trauma-informed care is… and isn't
Trauma-informed therapy is not addressed with a single technique. It is defined by how care is provided. Attention to your unique needs is the top priority. That attention includes your sense of personal safety, ongoing consent to move forward with the process, and providing a means to help regulate your nervous system during and between sessions.
This approach to therapy recognizes that traumatic distress is usually a survival-related adaptation to your environment, which should be honored… not pathologized. When these protective adaptations start to become barriers, it can be a sign that you are ready to move forward.
Healing does not require reliving pain or moving faster than your nervous system allows.
Trauma-informed therapy may help with:
Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
Emotional numbness or overwhelm
Shame and self-blame
Difficulty feeling safe in relationships
Struggling to maintain healthy boundaries
The care you will receive will be highly collaborative and tailored to your specific goals. You will always be an active participant in your healing journey.
Access & Location
I offer in person Trauma-informed therapy in Richmond, Virginia, as well as telehealth services for clients located in Virginia and New Jersey.
Both formats provide the same level of care, preparation, and clinical attention.
If you’re considering therapy, and would like to learn more about working together, feel free to read more about my services or reach out with questions.