Trauma, Dissociation, & Plurality
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Trauma and Dissociation
It is hard to know what to do when the worst happens--when, despite all your best efforts, you get hurt. You may feel angry, guilty, or defeated. Or maybe you just feel numb. You may want support, but not know how to find it. Or maybe you feel like you're doing all you can, but it's just never enough. Trauma is something that can happen to anyone--abuse, neglect, accidents, natural disasters, the death of a loved one, or the ongoing trauma of being oppressed in society--the list goes on. |
Image: stock photo of an Asian person with dark glasses looking sad
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Trauma can affect us in ways that we might not realize, even if we don't remember it happening. You might find yourself withdrawing from other people, feeling alone, angry, afraid, or just numb. You may have trouble managing strong feelings, or often become scared, angry, or overwhelmed. Or you might realize that you seem to have gaps in your memories, and no matter how hard you try, you can't remember what happened.
Maybe this isn't news at all. Maybe have DID or OSDD related to past trauma. Maybe you're tired of explaining what that even means to yet another therapist. Maybe, more than anything, you just need to be believed.
It's true that you can't change the past.
When bad things happen, it can be hard to know what to do. Trauma can have lasting effects on life--even long after the danger has passed. You might find it hard to connect with people. Or you might experience strong feelings that don't seem to make sense, or come and go when you least expect them.
Maybe this isn't news at all. Maybe have DID or OSDD related to past trauma. Maybe you're tired of explaining what that even means to yet another therapist. Maybe, more than anything, you just need to be believed.
It's true that you can't change the past.
When bad things happen, it can be hard to know what to do. Trauma can have lasting effects on life--even long after the danger has passed. You might find it hard to connect with people. Or you might experience strong feelings that don't seem to make sense, or come and go when you least expect them.
Image: stock photo of a pale-skinned, barefoot person with brown hair, wearing shorts and a t-shirt sitting curled up on a spiral staircase.
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But you can change the future
Believe it or not, what you're experiencing is completely normal for someone who's been through something terrible. Just like physical pain alerts us to injury, emotional pain and dissociation are signals that something needs to heal. And just like a broken bone and may need to heal over time, you may need care, attention, and proper treatment before they can feel well again. |
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Counseling can help.
Your emotions and behaviors wouldn’t be telling you that something needs to heal if there weren’t a way to do it. It might seem impossible, and it’s true that it might take a while. But there are ways for you to find healing and happiness. You don’t have to continue to suffer. Counseling can provide a safe place to start healing. Working with a therapist, you can start to figure out how to heal this pain and be happier in your life, and you can do it with someone there to help guide that process. My approach to working with trauma addresses the mental, emotional, somatic, and social impacts you experience. I am also trained in EMDR, a type of therapy specifically designed for working with trauma. And I have additional training and experience in work with dissociation, including DID and OSDD. We will work together to figure out a good pace for our sessions, so that the process can be as comfortable as possible. You don't have to struggle alone anymore; together, we can find a path to healing and happiness. |
Image: stock photo of a pale-skinned person with brown hair leaning on the grass and holding a red leaf.
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Plurality: When 'you' isn't singular
Trying to find a therapist is hard for anyone. But what if you're not simply 'one', or if you aren't sure?
I get it...looking for a plural-competent therapist is often really difficult, and can be anxiety-provoking. You might worry that all therapists will assume all systems are 'disordered.' Maybe you've experienced trauma...or maybe you haven't. Maybe you're worried that you won't be believed about it regardless.
Maybe you're trying to navigate a variety of different worries, opinions, or priorities.
Or maybe you're plural and also queer, trans, or neurodivergent in other ways. Maybe you just want a therapist who's willing to see all of who you are as valid...who's willing to listen about which things are (and which things aren't) causing problems in your life.
I can't claim to have it all figured out. But I can say that I'll believe you about who you are, and what that means to you. I won't try to 'fix' you, or try to convince you that I know better than you do what your system actually needs. I won't treat some of you as more valid or 'real' than the others. And I'll do my best to make therapy a judgment-free place where you can explore who you are and who you want yourselves to be.
I get it...looking for a plural-competent therapist is often really difficult, and can be anxiety-provoking. You might worry that all therapists will assume all systems are 'disordered.' Maybe you've experienced trauma...or maybe you haven't. Maybe you're worried that you won't be believed about it regardless.
Maybe you're trying to navigate a variety of different worries, opinions, or priorities.
Or maybe you're plural and also queer, trans, or neurodivergent in other ways. Maybe you just want a therapist who's willing to see all of who you are as valid...who's willing to listen about which things are (and which things aren't) causing problems in your life.
I can't claim to have it all figured out. But I can say that I'll believe you about who you are, and what that means to you. I won't try to 'fix' you, or try to convince you that I know better than you do what your system actually needs. I won't treat some of you as more valid or 'real' than the others. And I'll do my best to make therapy a judgment-free place where you can explore who you are and who you want yourselves to be.
Visit my Services page to learn more about how we can work together to create wellness and happiness in your life. You can also feel free to visit my Common Questions page for answers to some questions or concerns you may have.
To discover if Counseling is right for you, or to request more information about my qualifications, competencies, and services, please Contact me to set up a free consultation.
To discover if Counseling is right for you, or to request more information about my qualifications, competencies, and services, please Contact me to set up a free consultation.