Healing After Trauma Is Possible

Traumatic experiences can disrupt your sense of safety and connection with yourself and others. You may feel anxious, disconnected, or stuck in the past. Sometimes trauma stems from one event, other times from ongoing painful experiences such as neglect, abuse, or harmful family, social systems, or religious or cultural dynamics.

I truly believe that healing is possible. We can’t change the past, but we can integrate our past experiences to live more more fully and authentically in the present. Trauma therapy offers a compassionate space to process painful memories and rebuild a sense of connection.

I provide trauma-focused counseling in Portland and Falmouth Maine and online across the state, integrating EMDR, existential-humanistic counseling, DBT, ACT, poetry therapy, and attachment-based approaches to support lasting healing.

What You Can Expect in Trauma Therapy

• A safe, nonjudgmental space to share your story. We move at your pace. You are never required to share more than you’re ready to.

• EMDR therapy (when appropriate) to process painful memories without reliving them

• DBT and ACT skills to enhance emotional regulation, distress tolerance, explore ways to live in alignment with your values and goals

• Mindfulness and self-compassion practices to address issues around shame, guilt, and low self-esteem and build resilience

• Exploration of meaning, identity, and purpose after loss or trauma

EMDR Therapy for Trauma Recovery

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD. EMDR can help the brain reprocess memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. EMDR can provide:

• Relief from anxiety, flashbacks, or nightmares

• A greater sense of safety in your body

• A more balanced perspective on past experiences

• Better access to the part of yourself that feels strong, capable, and resilient

Existential and Spiritual Approaches

Traumatic experiences can bring up big questions like ‘Why did this happen to me?’, ‘Who am I now?’, ‘Is this some kind of test?’ and

‘How do I rebuilt my life/self/relationships after this?

An Existential-Humanistic and spiritually-informed lens supports exploration of your questions while honoring your values, spirituality, creativity, and innate wisdom. This approach makes space for both grief and growth.

DBT, ACT, Mindfulness & Self-Compassion, Poetry

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): Practical tools for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships.

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Helps you accept difficult feelings while living in alignment with your values.

• Mindfulness & Self-Compassion: Practices that ground you in the present, reduce self-criticism, and foster resilience.

• Poetry Therapy: I love poetry. And I find that it can be a useful tool to help us when we struggle to name our experience or feel our words are inadequate to capture the feeling of our experience. Through poetry we can feel less alone in what we’ve been through or how we see the world, finding kinship through literature and an way of processing our emotions, express difficult experiences, and connect with our inner voice. Some of my favorites are Mary Oliver, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Joy Harjo, David Whyte, Rilke, John O’Donohue, and Rumi, but I always welcome clients to bring their own! I also like to integrate short readings (or assigned reading if that’s your jam) from other writers (past and present).

Support for Faith Deconstruction and Spiritual Trauma

Some folks may have had harmful experiences connected to their religious community or upbringing or specific religious teachings. Some might use the word ‘trauma’, others may not go that far. Regardless of the language you use, therapy can be a helpful space to process these experiences, whether you’re fully deconstructing from your faith or sitting with difficult questions, or healing from religious or spiritual abuse and trying to figure out what’s worth holding onto or rebuilding.

I understand that people can have differing experiences of religion—both positive and negative—so my focus is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to process grief, reclaim your identity, and explore what spirituality—how we find meaning, purpose, and connection in life—looks like on your own terms.

Together, we can untangle harmful messages, build a sense of trust in your own innate wisdom, and support you in creating a grounded, connected, and life-giving path forward.

Who I Work With

I provide trauma therapy for:

• Adults with PTSD, complex trauma, or childhood neglect

• People healing from religious or spiritual trauma

• Queer and neurodiverse clients seeking affirming care

• Those navigating grief, loss, or major life transitions

• Humans working through relational wounds (utilizing Gottman skills)

Begin Trauma Therapy in Portland and Falmouth, Maine

Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step toward greater safety, connection, and meaning.