Childhood trauma can leave deep invisible scars that affect you well into adulthood. You might feel persistent shame, anxiety, or a sense of disconnection from others because of what happened when you were young. These early wounds often shape your beliefs about yourself and the world, making it hard to trust or feel safe. It’s important to know you are not alone in this experience—over two-thirds of children have gone through at least one traumatic event by age 16. The good news is that with the right support and therapy, healing is possible, and you can reclaim a fulfilling life.
Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward lasting change.
For many, childhood trauma leads to a range of long-term challenges. You may recognize some of these common effects in your own life:
It’s not “all in your head.” Childhood trauma can fundamentally affect brain and body development, leading to real, tangible symptoms. Understanding these impacts is an important first step—and you don’t have to face them alone.
As a therapist specialized in trauma, I provide a compassionate and safe environment for you to explore and heal your past. My approach is trauma-informed and tailored to your needs, meaning we will move at your pace and never push you to discuss more than you’re comfortable with. Building trust is crucial; in the beginning, we’ll focus on establishing safety and coping skills so you feel stable before delving into deeper memories.
I integrate evidence-based trauma therapies such as:
Helps process traumatic memories gradually in a safe way, reducing avoidance and distress.
Enhances emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills.
Focuses on identifying and reframing negative beliefs formed by trauma.
Encourages psychological flexibility and values-based living to move forward from past pain.
Helps develop present-moment awareness and self-compassion while addressing how trauma is stored in the body. These approaches include guided breathing, grounding exercises, body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, and gentle movement techniques to help regulate the nervous system and release stored tension.
These methods allow us to target emotional regulation, avoidance behaviors, distressing memories, and the beliefs that keep you stuck. We work together to help you develop healthier coping strategies, regain a sense of control, and move toward a life aligned with your values.
Every person’s story is unique. I have experience supporting clients who have faced a variety of childhood traumas, including:
(If you don’t see your exact experience listed, please know that whatever you went through is valid. In our sessions, we’ll make sense of how your unique history has impacted you.)
Healing from childhood trauma is not easy, but the outcomes can be life-changing. In therapy, you can expect to:
These benefits often build on each other. As you heal, you might discover a new sense of freedom — the ability to respond to life rather than react from a place of pain. Many people describe feeling “lighter” and more authentic, finally able to be themselves after shedding the burden of childhood trauma.
Every therapy journey is a little different, but here’s what the process typically looks like:
We start with an introductory session (in-person or via telehealth) where I get to know you and understand your story. You can share whatever you’re comfortable sharing about your history and symptoms. This is also a time for you to ask questions and see if you feel we’re a good fit. My priority is that you feel safe, heard, and respected from the very first meeting.
After we’ve talked about your experiences and goals, we’ll create a personalized therapy plan. This plan might outline what issues you’d like to focus on first (for example, reducing nightmares or improving trust in relationships) and which therapeutic approaches might be most helpful. For instance, if you struggle with disturbing memories, we might incorporate EMDR; if anxiety is a big issue, we may use mindfulness or grounding techniques. We decide these together, ensuring you’re comfortable with the approach.
Typically, we’ll meet once a week (frequency can be adjusted based on your needs). In our regular sessions, we’ll work through your thoughts and feelings step by step. Some days you might want to discuss a recent trigger or conflict; other days we might gently explore a childhood memory that’s coming up. We will also practice coping skills throughout – for example, learning how to calm your body during panic, or ways to soothe your younger self when you feel overwhelmed. You are always in control of the session – if something feels too intense, we can slow down or switch gears. Therapy is a gradual process, and we’ll go at whatever pace feels right for you.
Every few weeks, we’ll pause to reflect on how therapy is going. Are you feeling some relief or positive changes? Is there something you want more (or less) of in our sessions? These check-ins ensure that the therapy stays on track for you. We can adjust our plan based on your feedback – for example, focusing more on a particular issue, or trying a different technique if something isn’t clicking. Your feedback is important; this is a collaborative journey.
The length of therapy varies for everyone. Some people start to feel significantly better after a few months (10-20 sessions), especially if working on a specific issue. Others with complex or multiple traumas may continue therapy for a year or longer. We will regularly evaluate your progress and readiness to conclude therapy. It’s never “wrong” to take the time you need. When you reach a point where you feel healed enough to stop, we’ll plan for a thoughtful ending — discussing how you’ll continue to support yourself after therapy. And remember, even after you finish regular sessions, you can always come back for a tune-up or guidance if new challenges arise. My door is always open to you.
(I also offer online therapy sessions, so if you’re in Washington state and prefer the convenience of remote counseling, we can conduct sessions via secure video. Whether in-person in Tacoma or online, you’ll receive the same level of care and confidentiality.)
A: No – you will never be forced to share more than you want to. Trauma therapy is not about rehashing every detail of what happened unless you find it helpful to do so. We’ll start by building trust and safety. Over time, as you feel ready, we can gently explore relevant memories or feelings, but always at your pace. Many people heal without describing every detail of the trauma. We can focus on how the past affects you now (your emotions, triggers, and beliefs) and work on those. Your comfort is the top priority; there are many ways to heal that don’t require you to relive all the pain verbally.
A: It’s very common for trauma survivors to have partial or blurry memories, especially if you were very young. Our brains often cope by blocking out pieces of overwhelming events. In therapy, we don’t need a perfect play-by-play of the past to help you heal. We can work with the feelings and symptoms you’re experiencing now. For example, if you have anxiety or trust issues, we address those in the present. Sometimes memories may resurface when you feel safer and more supported, but even if they don’t, we can still make progress by healing the emotional wounds and body responses that the trauma left behind. In short, memory gaps are okay – we’ll work with whatever you do remember and feel. Healing is still absolutely possible.
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. The length of therapy depends on factors like how severe or prolonged the trauma was, how much support you have now, and at what pace you feel comfortable working. Some clients might feel noticeable relief after a few months (perhaps 10-20 sessions), especially if focusing on a specific issue. Others with complex trauma (for example, repeated abuse or multiple traumas) may benefit from a year or more of therapy. What I can say is that you will likely start to see gradual changes along the way – maybe better sleep, or handling a trigger more easily – even before you feel “fully healed.” We will regularly review your progress together. Remember, healing isn’t a straight line; it can be two steps forward, one step back. We’ll go at whatever pace is right for you, and I’ll support you throughout the journey. Whether it takes months or longer, every bit of healing and growth you achieve matters.
A: Never. Our minds and hearts have an incredible capacity to heal at any age. I have worked with clients in their 50s and 60s processing childhood trauma that they hadn’t felt ready to face until later in life. They often make tremendous progress and wish they had sought help sooner – but the important thing is, they started when they were ready. Whether you are a young adult or well into adulthood, therapy can help you untangle the impact of old wounds. It’s never “too late” because you deserve healing and peace no matter how much time has passed. In fact, if these memories or feelings are surfacing for you now, it may be a sign that you are ready to work through them with the right support. We’ll move forward from wherever you are today.
(Have other questions or concerns? Feel free to reach out and ask. I’m happy to talk through any uncertainties you have about the process.)
Recovering from childhood trauma is challenging, but please remember that you don’t have to do it alone. With compassion, patience, and the right guidance, it’s possible to loosen the grip that the past has on your present. Therapy offers a path to understanding yourself better, reclaiming your sense of safety, and finding hope for the future.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’m here to support you. Contact me to schedule an initial session or to ask any questions you might have about childhood trauma therapy. You deserve a life that isn’t defined by what happened to you. No matter how painful your past has been, there is a way forward. Together, we can work toward the healing, freedom, and peace that you deserve.
Let’s start this journey whenever you feel ready – I’m here to help you find light on the other side of the darkness. You are not alone, and healing is possible.
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