Trauma Therapy
in Stony Brook, NY
Are You Struggling With Painful Emotions Around Past Events?
Have you ever wished you could rewrite the script, erase the painful things that have happened, and start over? Do you find yourself preparing for the worst-case scenario, feeling constantly tense, or afraid to let your guard down?
I provide trauma therapy for teen girls and women in Stony Brook and the surrounding Long Island communities who are struggling with the lasting emotional effects of difficult or traumatic experiences.
For teen girls, trauma may affect how they see themselves, navigate friendships and relationships, manage emotions, or feel safe at school and in everyday life. For women, past experiences may continue to affect relationships, self-worth, emotional well-being, or the ability to feel safe and present in the life they’ve built.
Maybe you’ve been experiencing unpredictable emotions of anxiety, depression, fear, or anger. Perhaps you’re having flashbacks to a real-life experience that feels like you are watching a terrible movie that has gone all wrong. Or maybe, you become emotionally flooded without warning, leaving you feeling like parts of your life are completely out of your control?
Do you want to make a change but feel discouraged and overwhelmed? The thoughts and feelings attached to a traumatic experience can be very difficult to carry, sometimes even more distressing than the event itself. And this may leave you questioning whether making change is possible.
It’s Not Easy To Overcome Trauma On Your Own
You may be feeling like you are just existing without any real and lasting joy. You’ve tried so many different ways to “get over it” and take back control. But it seems nothing works, or at least not for very long. Even when you think for a brief moment that maybe things will be okay, the memories pull you right back in and you feel like you’re being engulfed by the intense emotions that follow.
It’s devastating to keep falling back into the past when you’re trying so hard to be in the present. Trauma therapy can help you understand what you’re experiencing, regain a sense of control, and begin moving forward in life.
Wondering If You’ve Really Experienced A Traumatic Event?
You may wonder whether what happeed to you was “bad enough” to be considered trauma. You may even compare your experience to someone else’s and question whether you have a right to feel the way you do.
Trauma is not defined only by one type of event. It can be a lasting emotional response to a deeply distressing experience, whether it happened once or occurred repeatedly over time.
Traumatic experiences can affect your sense of self, your ability to regulate emotions, and the way you navigate relationships. Even when the event is in the past, your mind and body may continue to respond as though you need to protect yourself.
You don’t have to minimize what you’ve experienced simply because someone else may have experienced something different.
“Trauma” Can Refer To Many Different Circumstances
Maybe you have experienced a single incident that was a deeply disturbing, life-threatening event or situation, such as:
a natural disaster
a violent crime
a serious accident
rape
the death of a parent or child
Or perhaps you have endured an accumulation of traumatic life events, such as:
physical/sexual/emotional abuse
neglect
bullying
medical trauma
intimate partner violence
These are just some of the experiences that can have lasting traumatic effects. Trauma can take many forms, and you do not have to fit into one of the above, nor prove your experience was bad enough.
Whatever you have been through, trauma therapy can help you begin to understand its impact, reconnect with yourself, and create positive change. The past does not have to define the rest of your life. With support, you have the power to build a brighter future.
Trust And Connection Are The Foundations of Successful Trauma Therapy
The experience of building trust and connection in therapy is one of the most important pieces in healing from trauma. It starts with yourself and extends to the therapist you choose to work with.
You should feel that you can trust the person sitting across from you, and that you have a say in the direction and pace of your therapy.
As a trauma therapist, I understand that healing is not as simple as it sounds. In fact, it can feel like an unbearable burden. I believe that having control and choices are one of the most important parts of healing from an experience that was completely out of your control.
I also believe that the traumatic event you experienced and everything that has followed, is not your stopping point. But it is a temporary place in time that calls for your attention to find new ways of seeing yourself, new ways of coping, and the courage to work through all that has accumulated since the event.
What To Expect In Trauma Therapy Sessions
After living through trauma, you may have kept your experiences secret out of fear of what others would think or say about you. If you did choose to share your story with family and friends, you might have been told to “get over it” or had your pain minimized. In sessions, I will create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can talk about what you’re comfortable sharing, without pressure to tell your story before you’re ready.
Through therapy, you can begin to recognize your own strength.
It takes strength to face something that has been painful, and you’ve already shown strength in finding ways to survive it. You get to re-write how trauma will play out in your life. You get to decide how your experience shapes the next chapter of your life. Healing does not erase what happened, but it can help you develop a stronger sense of who you are beyond what you’ve experienced.
When you begin to talk about your trauma, you start to speak your truth that has been put away, hidden, or pushed down. This can unlock new perspectives, solutions, and coping skills, leading to a sense of hopefulness for a better day.
Treatment Approaches To Trauma Therapy
I use an individualized approach to trauma therapy and may integrate techniques like:
Narrative Therapy gives you an opportunity to reframe your experiences and rewrite your own story.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) encourages flexible thinking and helps you feel safe in your relationships after trauma.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can allow you to accept the past while committing to a new chapter of your life.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping is one practice that can provide lasting relief from the embodied symptoms of trauma.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) empowers you to identify and fully process negative emotions related to trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) illustrates how different “parts” of you are working to protect you after trauma so that you can feel comfortable in your own skin again.
Somatic Therapy provides a pathway towards relieving the physical tension that can often accompany past trauma.
Inner Child Work lets you give your inner child the care and compassion you needed if you experienced trauma at a young age.
Grounding Techniques enable you to feel centered and connected to the present during stressful times.
These approaches can help you understand the experiences that shaped you, develop healthier ways of responding to difficult emotions, reconnect with your sense of self, and feel more grounded in the present.
You are in control of your sessions. We will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and you will decide what you want to share and when you are ready to share it.
We will work together on applying this affirmative mantra to self-identity:
“I am Lovable”
“I am Significant”
“I Matter”
“I am Enough”
We will work through your experiences at a pace that you are comfortable with. You are in control of your sessions and you will decide what you want to share.
My goal is for you to feel safe, respected, and supported with me.
I have deep respect for survivors of trauma, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of your healing journey if you choose to work with me
You May Have Some Questions About Trauma Therapy…
What type of trauma counseling works best?
There are so many different types of treatments for trauma. I understand that it can be very confusing to decide which type of therapy is right for you. Especially since the thought of opening up to someone is already difficult enough. Trauma therapy is never a one-size-fits-all approach.
I use an eclectic approach combining different theories and techniques that are geared towards empowering an individual. Through personalized approaches, I help individuals learn how to manage and respond to stress, intrusive thoughts, and feelings in healthy ways.
I’ve struggled with trauma for so long - can I ever really heal?
Regardless of how long ago you experienced trauma, you have the ability to heal. For all this time, you’ve tried to overcome trauma on your own, but you don’t have to continue coping all by yourself. By working with a trauma therapist instead, you might be surprised by how much progress you’re able to make, and how much better you can feel.
Will I always have to keep talking about my trauma in session?
No. You will never be required to share something before you are ready.
Most people come to therapy because they are done with hiding, keeping secrets, and having their trauma control their lives. In therapy, you will never be forced to talk or do anything you’re not comfortable with. I will meet you where you are on your journey, without judgment.
Although starting counseling seems difficult, most people have told me that I am easy to talk with, they never feel judged or less than, and know that I really want all the best for them.
You Can Heal, One Step At A Time
I see how trauma can shape daily life, leaving you anxious, tense, or unsure of what comes next. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m here to guide you, listen without judgement, and help you develop a greater sense of safety, wholness, and steadiness in you life. If you want to explore what trauma therapy could feel like, I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation. Call me at (631) 406-3139 or click a button below to start - healing is possible, and you deserve it.
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I offer a free 15 minute consultation to hear your needs and answer your questions. It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist. Let’s find out if we’re a good fit.