Abuse

Abuse can come in many different forms. Many times, we don't even realize that we are in fact, being abused until further down the road. Healing from the effects of abuse does not mean you have to connect to that person in the future. It seemly means, you know longer feel the waves of thoughts, emotions, sensations, and pull in a backwards direction in life.

I have worked extensively with child & adult survivors of emotional/physical/sexual abuse & violence. I am well versed in acute and post traumatic stress disorder and have developed and facilitated group curricula that focus on reducing isolation, guilt/shame and self-blame; building self-esteem, positive support systems and coping skills; and increasing a sense of mastery & personal empowerment. I am sensitive to guiding the process at a pace that feels most comfortable and safe to each person.

Addiction and Substance abuse can leave the person suffering depleted and despondent with their repeated use and failures at staying sober. I believe addiction is a disease, but that does not mean there is not hope and a chance for the addict to take the right steps needed in their life to conquer their demons.

When the relationship with a caregiver represents trauma, lack of empathy and even cruelty, the implications last long past childhood. As an adult you may have dedicated yourself into work and/or your family in order to soothe that pain inside, yet something is still amiss. You struggle with self-worth and insecurity. In therapy, we can collaboratively work through that place of pain and loneliness towards a place of wholeness and connection. 

"Abuse" is an overused word. It does not begin to address the complexity of attachment wounds and lifelong suffering that comes in its wake.

It's important for me to know what my client means by "abuse". Abuse can be traumatic & it's equally important to understand what about the abuse may be traumatic for my client. From there we can work on resolving the abuse (trauma). This work may involve: decreasing the uncomfortable to distressing symptoms you're experiencing; increasing the ability to stay in your comfort zone (regulated) when "triggered"; helping your body process the experience (experience lives in the body) to resolve it.

I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, especially childhood trauma. We also work to identify and heal from any abusive relationships which you have experienced currently or in your life previously.

Many women haven’t told anyone about their assault before coming to our office. They have had no safe place to process their range of emotions and have needed to push down their memories and feelings over the years in order to survive and function at school, work and life. At Thrive, we give you the space and the tools to take back your life story, turn shame into self-love and confidence, and to heal your relationship with yourself and others. Your assault doesn’t have define you or limit you.

Recovering from domestic violence and/or sexual violence, whether it happened to you as a child or an adult; religious abuse, leaving high demand groups; religious trauma; narcissistic abuse

I have worked with brave survivors of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, gaining a deep understanding of the myriad ways abuse impacts a person. In our sessions, we focus on how the abuse affects you in the here and now, identifying and addressing its ongoing effects. Together, we structure therapy to ensure a safe environment where we can explore past experiences and facilitate healing. My approach prioritizes your safety and well-being as we navigate the journey towards healing.

I have a past working in child welfare in both a hospital setting and in the home. I attended multiple trainings through the GABI (Group Attached-Based Intervention) program.Through the program, I learned how to facilitate and promote healthy attachment between child and parent. Clients that participated in this program had difficulties with housing instability, mental illness, domestic violence, and other difficult life circumstances.

Too many people are dealing with the effects of abuse, either as a child , as an adult in romantic relationships, or both. I can help you heal from the trauma of abuse, and teach you coping strategies and how create healthy boundaries, so that you can stop the cycle of abuse moving forward.

Pathological Love Relationships (PLR), commonly known as Narcissistic Abuse, shows up in many ways. It can show up in your marriage, friendships, or even in your church. We use the most recent evidence-based research and treatment methods to help you understand why you find yourself targeted by these people, how to discern facts from fiction cultivated by the pathological person, how to unravel yourself from the relationship and identify these people in the future to avoid being targeted again.

It's important for me to know what my client means by "abuse". Abuse can be traumatic & it's equally important to understand what about the abuse may be traumatic for my client. From there we can work on resolving the abuse (trauma). This work may involve: decreasing the uncomfortable to distressing symptoms you're experiencing; increasing the ability to stay in your comfort zone (regulated) when "triggered"; helping your body process the experience (experience lives in the body) to resolve it.

Confidential counseling services are provided for individuals and families to support those who have experienced various levels of trauma resulting in life long challenges. Because trauma changes brain development especially in children, individual therapy is provided with children and educational counseling is provided to parents to ensure parents attain the necessary tools needed for nurturing and meeting the child right where they are.