HEAL FROM YOUR TRAUMA. MOVE FORWARD IN FREEDOM.
Trauma Therapist in Hawaii
You’re tired of feeling stuck in your trauma
IT SUCKS, BUT AFTER THAT PAINFUL LIFE EVENT YOU EXPERIENCED, IT’S HARD FOR YOU TO MOVE FORWARD.
You often think about those painful memories and feel like you are walking through life without embracing all it offers. What’s worse is that although life isn’t spiraling at the exact moment, you remain guarded, constantly anticipating that something horrific could happen at any moment.
Does this sound like you?
Struggling with mood swings and emotional outbursts
Tired of feeling guarded
Wishing you could learn to trust and nurture your relationships
Ready to heal from your trauma and move forward with freedom
Here’s what we’ll do together
RECLAIM YOUR AUTHORITY IN YOUR BODY
After experiencing trauma, our body and brain will often trigger us to feel as if we are in danger and to relive the traumatic event. Trauma may cause a disconnection to the body, quieting your senses. You may be like others and feel as if your body has been hijacked. Our work together will decrease the intensity of these responses, foster a sense of safety, and help you reconnect with your body and senses.
BUILD AND NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Trauma can significantly impact relationships by creating barriers to intimacy and trust, making it difficult to connect with others. Many struggle with vulnerability and fear of being hurt again, leading to emotional numbness and guardedness. This heightened anxiety and hypervigilance can result in misunderstandings and conflicts, fostering cycles of isolation and disconnection. Our work together will help rewrite this narrative in your life.
FOSTERING RESILIENCE AND MOVING TOWARD YOUR GOALS
Trauma can impact a person’s self-esteem. Individuals often share feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness after experiencing trauma. Our work together will focus on healing the emotional wounds, building self-confidence, reclaiming your sense of worth, and gaining resilience. As my clients grow in self-confidence, I aim to empower them to reach their goals and the life they want.
WHAT WE’LL WORK ON
Imagine a life where…
You heal at your own pace
Your relationships improve
Your body is “unstuck” from the flight/fight mode it has been in
You leearn tools to help you manage your emotions
You develop self compassion for yourself and your responses
You move forward in your life with freedom
Turn your pain into power
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Trauma is any experience that negatively impacts how someone sees themselves, others, and the world around them.
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A physical injury could cause trauma, a wound/hurt/defeat, or an unpleasant experience that causes abnormal stress. Some examples include abuse (physical, psychological, sexual), neglect, bullying, racism, death of a loved one, loss (divorce, separation, abandonment, betrayal), physical illness or injury, and catastrophic events (war, natural disasters, car accident, mass violence).
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It is worth mentioning that no two reactions to trauma are the same. Two people can experience the same event and have two different reactions. One of the most impactful symptoms is how we define our experiences and our belief systems because of the traumatic experience. Physical symptoms related to trauma include headaches, backaches, constipation or diarrhea, being easily startled by noises or unexpected touch, stomachaches, mood swings, anxiety, depression, sweaty palms, appetite changes, heart palpitations, lowered immune system, addiction tendency for coping, an outburst of rage (fight response), isolation, dissociation, and lower self-esteem.
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I integrate the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills and nutrition for mental health to provide a holistic approach to trauma treatment. ACT promotes psychological flexibility, thereby reducing the power of thoughts and encouraging a commitment to a value-driven life. DBT includes mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills, which help manage trauma-related symptoms and maintain healthy relationships. Alongside these approaches, I will provide psychoeducation on my client’s current nutrition and its possible link to their mental health. I will make referrals to other professionals as necessary. Together, these approaches provide comprehensive healing and resilience for trauma survivors.
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One helpful strategy is mindfulness, “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Jon Kabbat-Zinn). Someone can practice mindfulness at any time, such as when walking outdoors. You can do this by being mindful of what is happening around you and inside of you. What are you seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling? What physical sensations are you perceiving? Notice the thoughts moving in your mind like leaves flowing on a stream. Mindfulness can reduce immediate distress by focusing on the present moment rather than focusing on what has happened or what may happen.