PTSD/Trauma

Trauma Therapy focuses on helping individuals process and recover from the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic experiences. After a traumatic event, it’s common to feel frightened, anxious, or disconnected. However, when these feelings persist and begin to interfere with daily life, they may indicate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or unresolved trauma.

Trauma can result from any event or series of events that leave you feeling helpless, overwhelmed, or emotionally shattered. While commonly associated with events like combat or assault, trauma can arise from accidents, abuse, sudden loss, or witnessing devastating situations. Trauma impacts individuals in unique ways, but with the right treatment and support, it’s possible to manage symptoms, reduce painful memories, and move forward.

Julia provides trauma therapy using evidence-based approaches tailored to each client’s needs. She begins by creating a safe and supportive space for clients to share their experiences at their own pace. Julia uses methods such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address trauma's emotional and physical impacts.

Through TF-CBT, Julia helps clients gradually confront and process memories of the trauma. She guides them in exploring feelings and situations connected to the event while replacing distorted beliefs, such as self-blame, with more balanced perspectives. This structured approach empowers clients to regain control over their thoughts and emotions.

EMDR, another technique Julia uses, combines elements of CBT with bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, hand taps, or auditory tones. These techniques "unfreeze" the brain’s natural information processing system, which often becomes disrupted during traumatic events. EMDR enables clients to process traumatic memories more adaptively, reducing their emotional intensity and lessening triggers.

Julia also helps clients address the four main categories of trauma symptoms:

Re-experiencing, such as intrusive flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoidance and numbing, including emotional detachment or loss of interest in life.
Hyperarousal, such as irritability, hypervigilance, and difficulty sleeping.
Negative thought and mood changes, like depression, mistrust, or feelings of guilt.

Julia’s ultimate goal is to support clients in overcoming the pain of trauma, restoring a sense of safety, and rebuilding their ability to trust and connect with others. By fostering self-compassion and resilience, she helps clients move forward with their lives and find peace after trauma.