Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Ballard
Making Sense of Suffering – Trauma Recovery Is Possible
Trauma can happen to anyone at any time.
No matter the type of traumatic event (whether it’s a traumatic birth, an unspeakable act of violence, a devastating natural disaster, or a failed relationship), trauma experiences can have a profound and lasting impact on our lives.
“Sometimes I feel like it is happening now, although it took place a long time ago.”
Iris helped me many times through very difficult life situations. With her help I managed to finally get my life back in order and in a direction that got me back on my feet. I am finally able to enjoy my life again. No other therapist was able to help me in such a positive, understanding way as Iris.
Trauma is particularly common in women. Five out of ten women experience a traumatic event in their lives.
(National Center for PTSD)
I know that trauma therapy is hard! Feeling vulnerable and thinking about facing what happened again might seem impossible and unmanageable.
Although, I haven’t gone through the exact hardships and terror you have survived, I will listen compassionately, without judging, and try to understand what happened to you through your eyes.
In my training and experience, I’ve walked beside many survivors.
I can become a guide to you, teach you new ways of coping, and help you face and heal from your trauma with EDMR trauma-informed therapy.
Time does not automatically heal all wounds. Sometimes it takes a different approach. Trauma-informed therapy has proven to help people recover from trauma – regardless of how long ago it took place.
Six Symptoms Of Unhealed Trauma:
- You are having scary thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares of things that have happened to you.
- Reminders of what happened to you can cause traumatic experiences to resurface, such as traumatic feelings, thoughts, or images.
- You may find yourself going to great lengths to avoid things that remind you of a traumatic event.
- Negative thoughts and feelings or emotional numbness can start dictating how you interact with the world and can impact your relationships.
- You find yourself chronically on edge.
- Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, work and relationship problems, and thinking about self-harm often shadow chronic PTSD.
These symptoms can be debilitating, overwhelming, and misunderstood. And, they are treatable!
How do you know if you’re ready for therapy?
It’s a rare person who feels ready to talk about their trauma. Traumatic reactions are very much about not feeling prepared, wanting to stay away from the pain by avoiding talking or even thinking about what happened. You may be ready even if you never truly feel ready.
Trauma therapy is a challenging and rewarding experience. It can make an markedly positive difference in your life. With treatment, you can move beyond your past traumas to create a better quality of life. Many people find that their symptoms go away, or at least decrease significantly. No matter what you’re going through, there is reason to hope.
Does therapy work?
Yes! It does.
The good news is you can heal from trauma or PTSD. I have been privileged to see it happen many times, no matter if the trauma occurred last month or decades ago. I can show you the research and tell you about the success stories. Even so, you still might not feel hope about personal recovery. Feeling like you can’t or won’t heal or that you’re not ready to talk about it are symptoms of unresolved trauma.
Therapy That Makes A Difference
I use Trauma-Informed Therapy.
The type of trauma therapy I use is called EMDR. EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma. EMDR therapy has helped many people of all ages recover from many types of psychological stress. Having used EMDR for hundreds of hours over the years, I trust its process because I have seen it work.
Helping Clients Recover from Trauma is my Specialty and Passion
I feel passionate about helping people recover from trauma and have been doing so for a long time.
I completed a Trauma Therapist Certification in1996 (6 Month Full-time Certification Program) at West Virginia University Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. I also have an EMDR Level I and II certification and additional training in trauma-informed treatments like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Exposure. Mindfulness and compassion-based modalities are also part of my training and the therapy I offer.
I have provided psychotrauma consultation, supervision, and training to graduate students and other therapists.
I Can Work with You as an Adjunct Therapist
I can work with you even when you already have a primary therapist.
Working with me as an adjunct trauma therapist allows you to maintain your relationship with your primary therapist while getting specialized trauma treatment.