Trauma therapy

Trauma therapy is for high-achieving women like you who are managing career demands, parenting responsibilities, and possibly perimenopause symptoms while carrying the weight of past experiences. In my New London, CT-based online therapy practice, I help women throughout Connecticut heal from trauma and reclaim their sense of peace, connection, and authenticity.

Trauma therapy isn't just for people who've survived catastrophic events—it's for anyone whose past experiences continue to shape their present in unhelpful ways. If you find yourself overreacting to small stressors, feeling disconnected in your relationships, struggling with anxiety that seems out of proportion, or feeling burned out despite doing everything "right," trauma therapy can help you break free from these patterns.

Many of the women I work with don't initially recognize their experiences as trauma. Instead, they notice patterns that disrupt their lives:

Perfectionism and people-pleasing that leave you exhausted and unable to relax, even when everything is "done." You may feel your worth is tied to achievement, and anything less than flawless feels like failure.

Difficulty setting boundaries where you say yes when you mean no, take on more than you can handle, and feel guilty when prioritizing your own needs. You're simultaneously resentful of others' demands and unable to set necessary limits.

Physical symptoms including chronic tension, digestive issues, sleep problems, or other concerns without clear medical explanations. Your body holds what your mind tries to manage.

Relationship challenges where you withdraw emotionally when vulnerable, react intensely to minor issues, or struggle to feel truly connected even when everything seems fine on the surface.

Perimenopause complications where hormonal shifts intensify anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity. What seems like "just hormones" is often your body signaling it's time to address deeper wounds.

I offer a real and authentic approach to trauma therapy that blends evidence-based practices with genuine human connection. I've found that healing happens through both effective techniques and the quality of our therapeutic relationship.

Brainspotting for Deep Healing

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing trauma held deep in your brain. Based on the premise that where you look affects how you feel, this approach helps your brain do its natural healing work without requiring you to retell traumatic stories in detail.

I appreciate Brainspotting because it's gentle yet profound. Your brain processes what it needs to at its own pace, while I provide a safe, attuned presence. This can be particularly effective if you've tried traditional talk therapy but found that understanding your trauma intellectually didn't lead to emotional relief.

Relational Cultural Therapy for Connection

I also integrate Relational Cultural Therapy, which recognizes that healing happens within authentic, growth-fostering relationships. This approach addresses how cultural messages about femininity, achievement, and caregiving can create disconnection and shame.

Together, we'll explore how your relationships throughout life have shaped your sense of self, and how patterns of disconnection may be protecting you from vulnerability. Our therapeutic relationship becomes a template for healthier connections in your life.

I specialize in supporting women who are:

• Navigating perimenopause and menopause while dealing with intensified emotional symptoms and identity shifts

• Processing perinatal and postpartum experiences including birth trauma, postpartum anxiety or depression, and bonding challenges

• Healing from various forms of trauma that continue to affect daily life, relationships, and well-being

• Managing anxiety and depression that may have roots in unresolved past experiences

• Addressing women's sexual issues and developing a healthier relationship with sexuality

• Working through binge eating patterns and body image concerns connected to trauma

My ideal clients are typically accomplished women aged 35-50 who are juggling multiple responsibilities, often higher educated and high earning, and struggling with how to do it "all" while feeling increasingly burned out and overwhelmed.

Your Free Consultation

I offer a 15-minute free consultation called a "fit check." This brief conversation allows us to discuss what you're experiencing and for you to determine whether my approach feels right for you. Not every therapist is the right match for every person, and I want you to feel confident before investing your time and resources.

Getting Started

If we decide to move forward, my assistant Liz will help you get set up in my online system where you can complete necessary forms and provide your information. You'll then be able to schedule your own sessions directly on my calendar, giving you flexibility to manage appointments around your busy life.

First Session: Building Connection

Our first session is about connection and understanding. I want to know who you are, what matters to you, and what you hope therapy might help you achieve. I'll explain more about how I work and answer your questions. There's no pressure to share more than feels comfortable—healing happens at its own pace.

Second Session: Your Action Plan

In our second session, we dive deeper into creating a collaborative action plan. Together, we'll identify specific areas where you want to see change and develop a framework for our work. This plan remains flexible and evolves based on what's working and what you're ready to address.

Ongoing Support

As we establish our therapeutic relationship, you'll continue to have flexibility to schedule your own sessions online, up to a year in advance. I try to make myself available to clients outside of sessions if needed for brief support. Occasionally, there may be a skill to practice between sessions, always tailored to what feels manageable for your full life.

Trauma recovery isn't linear, and it doesn't happen overnight. However, the women I work with consistently report meaningful changes:

Early on, you might notice increased awareness of trauma patterns, growing self-compassion, moments of feeling more grounded, better sleep, and reduced physical tension.

Over time, changes become more profound: a fundamental shift in self-worth, greater capacity for healthy boundaries, improved relationships, reduced anxiety, more flexibility with stress, increased joy, and a sense of reclaiming lost parts of yourself.

For women navigating perimenopause or menopause, addressing trauma during this transition often makes menopausal symptoms more manageable and supports moving into the next life phase with greater clarity and self-acceptance.

"Do I really have trauma?" If your past experiences are affecting your present life, relationships, sense of safety, or well-being, then working with those experiences makes sense. You don't need to earn the right to heal.

"Will I have to relive my trauma?" The approaches I use, particularly Brainspotting, don't require detailed storytelling about what happened. Your brain processes what it needs to, and you control the pace.

"Can I do this while managing my busy life?" Absolutely. The women I work with manage demanding careers, parenting, and complex circumstances. We work at a sustainable pace for you.

You deserve to feel at home in your body, experience genuine connection in relationships, and move through life with less fear and more presence. Trauma therapy offers a pathway to this healing.

If you're a woman in Connecticut carrying the weight of unresolved trauma—whether from specific events, perinatal experiences, perimenopause challenges, or patterns that have felt "off" for as long as you remember—support is available.

The first step is reaching out for a free 15-minute fit check consultation. Visit my website to learn more and schedule, or contact my assistant Liz with any questions about scheduling or logistics. I look forward to the possibility of supporting you in reclaiming the peace, connection, and authenticity that trauma has taken from you.

Located in:

New London, CT

What qualifies as trauma?

Trauma isn't limited to catastrophic events like accidents or violence. It includes any experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope, such as emotional neglect in childhood, difficult birth experiences, relationship betrayal, chronic stress, or growing up in an environment where your needs weren't met. If past experiences are affecting your present wellbeing, relationships, or sense of safety, trauma therapy can help.

How is trauma therapy different from regular therapy?

Trauma therapy uses specialized approaches designed to help your nervous system process and release stored traumatic experiences. Rather than just talking about problems, trauma therapy like Brainspotting works directly with your brain and body to resolve trauma at its source. This can lead to deeper, more lasting changes than traditional talk therapy alone.

Will I have to talk about traumatic events in detail?

Not necessarily. With Brainspotting, you don't need to retell your trauma story repeatedly. Your brain knows what it needs to process, and this approach allows healing to happen without requiring you to verbally recount every detail. You always control how much you share and the pace of our work together.

Can trauma therapy help with physical symptoms?

Yes. Trauma lives in your body as well as your mind. Many women experience chronic tension, digestive issues, sleep problems, or other physical symptoms related to unresolved trauma. As we address the underlying trauma through therapy, these physical symptoms often improve significantly as your nervous system learns it's safe to relax.

How does trauma therapy work for perimenopause symptoms?

Perimenopause can intensify emotional responses and bring unresolved trauma to the surface. Hormonal changes can make anxiety, depression, and stress harder to manage. By addressing underlying trauma during this transition, many women find their perimenopausal symptoms become more manageable and they move through this life stage with greater ease and self-acceptance.

Is online trauma therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes. Research shows that online therapy is equally effective as in-person sessions, and many women find it more convenient and comfortable. You can attend sessions from the privacy of your home, eliminating travel time and allowing you to create a safe, comfortable space for your healing work. Brainspotting works exceptionally well in an online format.

How long does trauma therapy take?

The timeline varies for each person based on the complexity of your experiences, your goals, and how your nervous system responds to treatment. Some women experience meaningful relief within a few months, while others benefit from longer term support. We'll regularly assess your progress together and adjust our work based on what feels right for you.

What if I'm too busy for trauma therapy right now?

Many women feel they're too busy to prioritize their healing, but trauma therapy doesn't require you to pause your life. We work at a pace that feels sustainable alongside your career, parenting, and other responsibilities. Most clients find that as they heal from trauma, they actually have more energy and capacity for everything else in their lives.

Can trauma therapy help if I've tried therapy before without success?

Absolutely. Many women who didn't experience relief from traditional talk therapy find that trauma-specific approaches like Brainspotting create the breakthrough they've been seeking. These methods work differently than conventional therapy, accessing and processing trauma in ways that talking alone cannot accomplish. Your past therapy experiences don't determine your future healing potential.

How do I know if I'm ready for trauma therapy?

If you're reading this and wondering whether trauma therapy could help you, that curiosity itself is often a sign you're ready. You don't need to feel "ready enough" or have everything figured out. The fact that you're considering taking this step means part of you recognizes it's time for healing. Our free consultation can help you determine if this is the right time and approach for you.