Milton Erickson once said, "no human being ever knows his full capabilities." There is gold inside you beneath the shame and self-doubt which covers it. My psychotherapeutic approach is premised on rigorous psychological research showing that adult problems (like anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, shame, anger, perfectionism, and workaholism) are outgrowths of childhood trauma and that childhood trauma can be healed in adults decades after it occurred. Many adults who suffer from these problems mistakenly fault themselves without realizing that childhood trauma severely impacted their brain wiring, psychosocial development, and core self-beliefs. Until you enter trauma-informed psychotherapy you are likely to act out your trauma in ways that harm yourself and others.
The purpose of trauma therapy is to liberate you from being a "prisoner of childhood" and stepping into authentic adulthood with confidence, optimism, resilience, and the power to reach your goals. The number one reason traumatized people steer clear of therapy is not denial of their symptoms but fear of re-living childhood events when they were overwhelmed by fear, terror, rage or sadness. They do not want to go back "there" out of fear they will be re-traumatized and wind up worse than before. The good news is that this fear is not true. Children are traumatized when they feel completely alone, unloved, and helpless during an episode of abuse or chronic neglect. In therapy you are no longer a child and you are no longer alone. As your therapist I will be with you every step of the way. I will explain and psychologically prepare you for the healing process. I will be connected with you throughout the healing process. I will keep checking in with you to see how you are doing and I will re-ground you if needed. I will be a caring, attuned, empathic presence to witness your pain and your healing. At the conclusion of each trauma healing session I will work with you to integrate what you experienced and what it means.
I am a pre-licensed professional clinical counselor providing trauma-informed psychotherapy services under the supervision of Leona Kashersky, PsyD of Sacramento. Treatments are customized for each client and may include EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Compassionate Inquiry, Somatic Experiencing, Ericksonian Hypnosis, Trauma-informed CBT, Meditation, Mindfulness Practice, and Guided Imagery. Our office accepts the following insurances as well as cash pay: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of CA, LifeSynch(Humana), Magellan, Molina/CompCare, State Victims of Crime Compensation, and United Health Care (formerly TriCare).