Austin Texas

Austin Texas

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

 

Austin Texas TherapistTrauma & PTSD

My experience with trauma survivors  -- of all ages -- coupled with my training in EMDR allow me to address the needs of those who have suffered from many different types of trauma.  Some of the people I have worked with include survivors of childhood physical, emotional and sexual abuse; domestic violence survivors; accident victims; assault victims; rape survivors; prison guards; Hurricane Katrina refugees and many other types of trauma.  I have a particular interest in helping combat veterans, military families, and “front-line” workers (police, firefighters, EMS, ER personnel, etc.) who struggle with the daily stress and distress of being first responders to the horrific scenes of crime, accident or disaster.

Austin Texas TherapistRelationship Conflict

Seven years working with victims and perpetrators of partner violence have given me a solid base of understanding and expertise in recognizing and treating the many ways we are hurt – or inflict hurt on the ones we are supposed to cherish and trust.  My approach to partner conflict is straightforward and nonjudgmental as well as therapeutic.  An important part of my work with couples experiencing conflict is to recognize what partners are doing “right” and enhance that with skill-building and partnership enhancement activities.  PLUS, I assist  partners in managing emotional “flooding” and self-soothing.

Are you in an abusive relationship?

Austin Texas TherapistAttachment Disorders

Research on survivors of childhood abuse suggests that many of the problems we have as adults stem from the way the human brain is affected by interruptions and aberrations in the attachment/bonding process between child and caregiver.  Many of our experiences in the developmental years, even if they are not what we traditionally think of as “abuse” or “neglect,” have serious, even profound effects on how we connect with others later in life.  It is an important part of how I work with clients to explore past traumas (big and small) and the possible consequences or manifestations of these in the present.  I usually introduce EMDR as part of treatment for Attachment Disorders.