Trauma & Complex PTSD

Trauma can affect the nervous system long after the original experience has passed. Even when life feels stable on the surface, your body may still react to certain situations as if danger is present. For some people, these patterns are part of what is referred to as Complex PTSD, where the impact of repeated or long-term experiences continues to shape emotional and relational responses over time.

You might notice emotional reactions that feel larger than the moment, difficulty trusting others, feeling numb or disconnected, or becoming easily overwhelmed in relationships. Many people also find themselves repeating patterns they wish they could change. For some, trauma and Complex PTSD can also show up as a harsh inner critic or persistent self-attack. These internal voices can develop over time in response to criticism, fear, or unsafe environments.

These responses are not signs of weakness. They are often the body’s attempt to protect you after experiences that felt unsafe or intolerable. Therapy can help create the conditions where those protective patterns no longer have to work so hard.

Trauma work must be gentle, collaborative, and paced with care. In our work together, we focus first on building safety, stability, and internal resources before exploring deeper experiences. There is no pressure to revisit difficult memories before you feel ready.

As your nervous system begins to feel safer, many people experience more emotional steadiness, clearer boundaries, and a greater sense of connection to themselves and others.

Our work may draw from somatic therapy to support nervous system regulation, emotion-focused approaches such as AEDP that allow feelings to be processed safely within a supportive therapeutic relationship, Internal Family Systems to understand protective parts that developed during difficult experiences, and mindfulness practices that help build tolerance for emotional experience.

For some clients with more severe or persistent trauma patterns, we can also explore Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP). This modality is only appropriate for certain clients and requires additional conversation and screening beforehand. When used, PSIP can be practiced with or without medicinal adjuncts depending on the client’s needs, readiness, and the legal and clinical context.

Healing from trauma doesn’t require forcing yourself to relive the past. Often it begins with helping your nervous system experience safety and connection again, one step at a time.