"From surviving to thriving, breaking free from complex trauma."
Survivors of moderate-to-severe experiences of trauma throughout childhood and adolescence suffer with chronic psycho-social-biological effects as a result of what they had to endure. In adulthood, these lasting effects can pervasively affect an individual's ability to confidently, flexibly, and authentically navigate the world around them. The ways in which survivors had to adapt to stay safe and attached in childhood can become quite limiting, even debilitating as an adult! Intensive psychotherapy provides an opportunity to safely process overwhelming experiences from the past while reinforcing inherent strengths and glimmers of resilience that can actively be tapped into while navigating present-day situations.
Present-Day Symptoms of C-PTSD & Disorganized Attachment:
Digestive issues, stomach pains, chest pains, feeling on edge or overly alert, low libido, high libido.
Dissociation
Anxiety and/or Depression
Anger, Irritation, Impulsivity
Sleep Troubles
Difficulties with Interpersonal Relationships
Low Self-Esteem & Harsh Inner Criticism
Suicidality or Self-Harm
Splitting
What Makes Intensive Attachment-Informed Psychotherapy Different?
Twice (2x) weekly intensive attachment-informed psychotherapy looks to attachment theory, relational neuroscience, and trauma-informed best practices as models for healing. It recognizes that growth, healing, and internal security have the opportunity to emerge in the presence of healthy relational consistency, emotional attunement, and physical and emotional safety. With the reliable support of a trauma-sensitive therapist and co-creation of a safe therapeutic space, an individual can begin to relate to themselves (i.e. their thoughts, emotions, body/nervous system), their past, the relationships, and the world around them in ways that promote confidence, flexibility, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion. This ultimately leads to a greater sense of self-agency, inner security, and authenticity.
I interweave facets of AEDP, relational neuroscience, and IFS into the therapeutic process leading to an experience that is collaborative, experiential, respectful of adaptive coping strategies and their inherent roots in survival, mindful of nervous system regulation and window of tolerance, and honoring of a client's "inner knowing" and innate striving toward growth, healing, and authenticity.
Frequency:
Twice (2x) weekly for 60-70 minutes
Structure:
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Intention Setting: Identifying what we would like to explore/process in session.
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Mindful Exploration & Processing: Slowly dipping our toe into the material while collaboratively remaining mindful of and tending to dissociation, nervous system dysregulation, and your window of tolerance. Our goal is not to flood you, but to slowly and respectfully expand your capacity to sit with heavy feelings and bodily sensations so that together we can support the parts of you that are still carrying the weight of the past.
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Reflection & Integration: We begin to zoom out the lens, and reflect on the session as a whole. We identify aspects of the session that felt important, good, right, true and process what made them feel so.
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Grounding Transition: We relationally ground back into present day helping you leave session in a regulated state.
Between Session Resourcing:
Identification of between session resources (i.e. social and family supports, local crisis resources, self-help groups) that can be utilized for support between sessions.
Journaling:
In an effort to promote self-agency and mindful reflection, clients are required to journal between sessions. Entries can serve as a means of regulating emotions, reflecting on struggles, and identifying points for exploration in future sessions.
* Please note that prospective clients must not have had a suicide attempt or psychiatric hospitalization in the last 6 months. Prospective clients must not have engaged in non-suicidal self-harming behavior within the last 90 days.