What is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma, often referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), encompasses events that occur in childhood—such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or growing up in a household with substance use or mental illness—that leave lasting emotional scars. For adult survivors, these early experiences can shape how you view yourself and the world, influencing your emotional health and relationship patterns long after you've reached adulthood. Recognizing the impact of these wounds is the first step toward reclaiming your sense of peace and safety.
Signs Childhood Trauma May Be Affecting You
Difficulty trusting others
People pleasing
Emotional overwhelm
Anxiety
Fear of abandonment
Perfectionism
How Therapy Can Help
Healing from childhood trauma isn't about forgetting the past, but about changing how you relate to it. Therapy provides a safe, compassionate container where we work together to identify deep-seated patterns, process unprocessed memories, and build new, healthy attachment styles. By integrating trauma-informed tools, we help you regulate your nervous system and develop the emotional resilience needed to live a life directed by your present values rather than your past wounds.
Is this therapy right for me?
This therapy may be a good fit if you:
Feel stuck repeating unhealthy relationship patterns.
Struggle with trust, self-worth, or emotional regulation.
Grew up in a chaotic, neglectful, or unpredictable environment.
Want to heal from childhood experiences that continue to affect your life today.
My Approach
EMDR
Helping you process and re-frame traumatic memories to reduce their emotional impact and support lasting healing.
CBT
Identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that keep you stuck in cycles of trauma.
DBT
Building mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills to help you navigate overwhelming moments.
Attachment Work
Healing foundational wounds to break unhealthy generational cycles and build more secure, fulfilling connections.
Trauma-Informed Care
A compassionate approach that prioritizes your safety, autonomy, and cultural identity throughout the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can childhood trauma affect adult relationships?
Yes. Childhood experiences can influence how we communicate, trust others, regulate emotions, and respond to conflict. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
How do I know if childhood trauma is affecting me?
Some common signs include difficulty trusting others, people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, low self-worth, fear of abandonment, or repeatedly finding yourself in unhealthy relationships. Therapy can help determine whether past experiences may be contributing to your current challenges.
Does childhood trauma ever go away?
The impact of childhood trauma can lessen significantly with healing and support. While you can't change what happened, therapy can help you process painful experiences, reduce emotional distress, and develop healthier patterns so your past no longer controls your present.
What types of therapy do you use?
I use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT, and attachment-focused therapy. Together, we'll choose an approach that best fits your goals and unique experiences.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Healing looks different for everyone. Some clients experience meaningful progress within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term therapy depending on their goals, history, and the complexity of their experiences.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. I provide secure virtual therapy to adults and couples throughout Nevada, allowing you to access support from the comfort and privacy of your own home.