When I think about trauma, I'm not just thinking about what happened to someone in the past. I'm thinking about how that experience is still organizing their present — how it shows up in relationships, in emotional responses, and in the nervous system.
My approach is grounded in attachment theory and trauma-informed care, but I try to keep it human, practical, and grounded in real experience — not overly clinical or removed from what people actually feel day to day.
Honesty and Safety
A big part of my work is honesty. I tend to be direct and transparent in the therapy room, especially when I notice patterns that matter. I draw from psychoanalytic thinking, which helps us understand deeper and often unconscious processes that shape how someone thinks, feels, and relates.
At the same time, honesty only works if there is safety. So I'm always paying attention to pacing. I meet clients where they are — not where I think they "should" be. Some people come in ready to explore deeply right away, and others need more time to build trust, regulation, and safety in the relationship. Both are valid, and the work adjusts accordingly.
Trauma Fractures Into Patterns
I also approach trauma as something that doesn't stay contained in a single memory or event. Instead, it "fractures out" into patterns — especially in relationships.
We see it in:
- how someone attaches to others
- how they respond to conflict
- how they protect themselves emotionally
- how they seek closeness or create distance
Relational Therapy, Couples, and Sex Therapy
This is why I identify strongly as a relational therapist. So much of our healing happens in connection with others. Whether I'm working with individuals, couples, or in sex therapy, I'm always tracking relational dynamics and attachment patterns in real time.
Couples and sex therapy in particular make these dynamics very visible. Intimacy tends to bring up core attachment needs, fears, and protective strategies. When we can see those patterns clearly, we can begin to work with them differently.
Talk Therapy + Somatic Work
Another key part of my approach is integrating both talk therapy and somatic work. Talk therapy is essential in the beginning — it helps build insight, language, and internal stability. It creates the foundation for safety and awareness.
But trauma is not just cognitive. It lives in the body.
That's where somatic work comes in. I use somatic tools to help clients actually feel and process what has been held in the nervous system. Instead of only talking about trauma, we work with how it is stored physically — so it can begin to move, release, and integrate.
The Goal: Integration
I also hold a strong commitment to being trauma-informed in a very practical sense: prioritizing safety, consent, pacing, and always working in a way that avoids re-traumatization. I aim to be both grounded in evidence-based practice and flexible enough to meet the real human in front of me.
Ultimately, my goal is integration. Helping people understand themselves more clearly, feel safer in their bodies, and show up more fully in their relationships.
Ready to Start?
If something here resonated with you, I'd love to connect. You don't have to have everything figured out to reach out.
Or call us at (435) 263-0254
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute therapy or medical advice. If you're in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.