Complex Trauma

Breaking Free

Living with the effects of complex trauma can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting. We specialize in supporting individuals like you who are ready to break free from the emotional and physical toll of past experiences and step into a life of healing and resilience.

What is Complex Trauma?

Complex trauma often results from repeated, prolonged, or interpersonal experiences, such as childhood neglect, abuse, or toxic relationships. Unlike a single traumatic event, complex trauma can deeply impact your sense of self, relationships, and ability to feel safe in the world.

Key Characteristics of Complex Trauma

Chronic Nature: The trauma occurs repeatedly over time, such as ongoing abuse or long-term neglect.
Interpersonal: The trauma often involves relationships with caregivers, family members, or others who are supposed to provide safety and trust.
Developmental Impact: When experienced in childhood, complex trauma can disrupt normal development, affecting attachment, emotional regulation, and identity formation.

Symptoms and Effects

Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, such as anger, fear, sadness, or shame.
Attachment Issues: Problems forming healthy relationships or trusting others.
Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from oneself or reality.
Self-Perception: Negative self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, or persistent guilt.
Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, fatigue, or health issues related to prolonged stress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Flashbacks, hypervigilance, or avoidance behaviors.
Behavioral Changes: Impulsivity, self-harm, or substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Therapeutic Support: Modalities such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or somatic therapies.
Building Safety: Establishing a sense of physical and emotional safety.
Developing Emotional Regulation Skills: Learning strategies to manage overwhelming emotions.
Addressing Relationships: Rebuilding trust and healthy attachment patterns.
Holistic Approaches: Incorporating mindfulness, body-based therapies, or art therapies.