If you’re a trauma survivor, first and foremost, I want to commend your strength in embarking on the journey of therapy. It’s a courageous step towards healing, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Starting therapy as a trauma survivor can be intimidating, and I understand those fears all too well. Unpacking the layers of our past can be scary, and the thought of retelling our trauma story might feel overwhelming. As someone who’s been there, I want to assure you that your comfort and pace matter most.

In my approach to counseling, I recognize that each individual’s journey is unique. You’re never obligated to share your story, but if you choose to, I introduce a technique called the container method. Picture a container of your liking – it can be anything, with a lid or even a lock. This method provides you with a tangible way to set aside heavy emotions, stories, or feelings during a session. We can seal them away until you’re ready to revisit or discuss them further.

This technique can also be used with other heavy emotions. As many of you know, I lost my dad a few months ago. We were very close and there are times when the grief gets to be too much. So I wrap things up, place it in the container, and go back to it whenever it feels right. Or maybe you’ve experienced the loss of a friendship or relationship. As you start to unwrap things, you may find it useful to take a time out every so often and put things in the container and bring them back out later when you want to peel back another layer.

Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to support you. I will meet you wherever you are emotionally and support you in your healing.