Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma

Trauma can derive from obvious, horrific events, as well as from universal ones such as having been raised by a critical parent. In other words, what determines trauma is its impact, not the event(s) itself. Upsetting experiences - even forgotten ones - can get lodged in our nervous systems and stimulated in subsequent, parallel circumstances. Trauma treatment, including EMDR, can help clients adaptively process past experiences to prevent them from getting re-triggered in the present.

More new information is emerging about the effects of trauma on health & wellbeing. PTSD and CPTSD (complex - PTSD due to years of abuse/neglect) is when we feel hi-jacked by our senses/body connecting us back to past events that were (or seemed) life threatening. These experiences can be from Domestic abuse, events/accidents related to the lifestyle of substance abuse, and from chronic traumatic/neglectful childhood experiences. There is hope for recovery. It is time for you to heal.

Many, due to a number of factors, are haunted by the historical and intergenerational traumas of our ancestors. We can heal from these through a number of ways. The more we ignore it, in ourselves and our own communities, the more we delay our healing.

I completed my clinical internship at the Rape Crisis Center, where many of the clients I saw came from backgrounds of intergenerational abuse and trauma. Though the grips of intergenerational abuse and trauma can be strong, I have seen that it is a cycle that can be broken, and it is one of the great privileges of a therapist to be able to be part of a client's journey to break this.

I believe trauma is the root of most things that are wrong in this world. I use evidence based practices to address trauma, intergenerational trauma, and attachment trauma. I blend attachment based therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with mindfulness skills based in neuroscience.

I help people break cycles. The impact of unhealed trauma echos through our family lines and communities, shaping how we relate to ourselves and others. I will support you as you work to understand the broader context of how family dynamics and societal systems influence your identity and overall quality of life. My aim is to empower you to become a “good ancestor,” fostering a mindset of "this stops with me."

Symptoms of historical trauma include denial, depersonalization, isolation, memory loss, nightmares, psychic numbing, hypervigilance, substance abuse, identification with death, and unresolved grief.

Addressing historical and intergenerational trauma is crucial for enabling clients to heal and thrive. These traumas often manifest in various ways, affecting mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. By fostering awareness and understanding, providing therapeutic support, and encouraging resilience, I help clients break free from the cycles of pain and develop healthier narratives that promote a higher quality of life.

It didn't start with you. Let's take a look at the emotional and behavioral effects traumatic events passed down through generations have had on you.

Exploring one's family of origin often offers people a deeper answer to the question of "Who am I?

For many of us, particularly those of us who are members of oppressed groups, the trauma we have experienced in this lifetime is only a piece of the puzzle. Our ancestors and the pain and unhealed wounds of their suffering can also be in our nervous systems, minds, bodies, and spirits affecting our psychological and physical health. I will always hold this truth in our work together and if you are interested we can explore those historical elements together.

I'm trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR and over the years have worked with multiple clients that dealt with generational trauma. I continue to engage in trainings and consult with supervisors and colleagues for further guidance.

That weight on your shoulder will go away. We will talk about some new ways to think and look at this painful story. We will give you skills to manage your thoughts and feelings. You will build confidence as this process unfolds. And then one day you will be on the other side of this life experience. You will be able to talk about it with out crying. You will feel strong again. Your dreams will stop. You can then exhale and feel calm again. You can look forward without these painful experiences

Since 2013, most of my clients would have reported this was an issue in their lives. I provide the space needed for you to share and we can work together to begin healing these wounds!

Sometimes, as much as we know what we want to shed from our upbringing, from our relationships with our caregivers, we just can't seem to let it go. We learn new ways to do things, to grow, do better, and maybe to forgive or set boundaries, but the "stuff" is still there. I'd love to help you explore what's holding you back, heal what's been hurt, and help you find an authentic way to move forward in a way that works for you.

For many of us, particularly those of us who are members of oppressed groups, the trauma we have experienced in this lifetime is only a piece of the puzzle. Our ancestors and the pain and unhealed wounds of their suffering can also be in our nervous systems, minds, bodies, and spirits affecting our psychological and physical health. I will always hold this truth in our work together and if you are interested we can explore those historical elements together.

I work with individuals in navigating the effects of present, historical and intergenerational trauma resulting from systems of oppression as well as individual/ family experiences. Focusing upon the macro experience of family systems, I support my clients in understanding the effects of trauma as they resonate through the self via society. My therapy practice centers on the tenets of advocacy and empowerment as roads to healing, understanding and growth as change agents.

Through the modules of DBT and EMDR and DBR we work towards accountability and control over your current choices.