Trauma Therapy
in Wayzata, Minnetonka, Minneapolis & Online Across Minnesota
I understand the deep and lasting impact trauma can have on your life. Whether you’ve experienced birth trauma, childhood trauma, abuse, loss, accidents, or other life-altering events, healing is possible. I am here to support you on your journey toward recovery, empowerment, and emotional well-being.
What is Trauma?
Trauma can result from any distressing experience that overwhelms your ability to cope. It may involve physical, emotional, or psychological harm, leaving you feeling unsafe, disconnected, or unable to move forward. Trauma affects everyone differently, and it is not about the event itself but how it is processed by the individual.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma refers to distress experienced during or after childbirth. It can stem from a variety of factors, including unexpected medical interventions, complications during delivery, or feelings of helplessness and fear during labor. Both the birthing individual and their partner can experience birth trauma, and its impact may last long after the delivery.
Common experiences contributing to birth trauma may include:
Emergency or unplanned C-section
Prolonged or difficult labor
Use of forceps or vacuum extraction
Severe pain during delivery
Loss of control during the birthing process
Inadequate communication from medical staff
Birth complications affecting the baby’s health
Postpartum hemorrhage or severe medical complications
Stillbirth or neonatal loss
Common Reactions to Trauma and Birth Trauma
Trauma can manifest in various ways, affecting both your emotional and physical well-being. If left unaddressed, it may lead to long-term challenges, such as postpartum depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some common signs of trauma and birth trauma include:
Flashbacks or nightmares about the event or the birth
Avoidance of anything related to the event, pregnancy, or childbirth
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Feelings of guilt, shame, or failure
Hypervigilance or an exaggerated startle response
Irritability, mood swings, or panic attacks
A sense of isolation or difficulty sharing your experience
Reluctance to consider future pregnancies
Who Can Benefit from Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is open to anyone who has experienced trauma in their life or during childbirth, including:
Mothers who had traumatic birth experiences
Fathers or partners who felt powerless or distressed during the birth
Parents grieving the loss of a child due to stillbirth or neonatal complications
Individuals struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety related to their birth experience
Anyone who feels overwhelmed, scared, or unable to move forward after childbirth
Survivors of childhood abuse or neglect
Victims of sexual assault or domestic violence
Those affected by natural disasters, accidents, or medical trauma
Veterans and first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anyone coping with complex trauma or repeated exposure to distressing events
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy
I offer compassionate and specialized support to help you navigate and heal from trauma. I use the therapeutic relationship as well as evidence-based techniques to help you process your experience, reduce trauma symptoms, and regain a sense of control and confidence in your life.
Trauma services include:
Trauma-Informed Therapy focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment where you feel validated and empowered. This approach recognizes the impact of trauma and prioritizes safety, trust, and choice throughout the healing process.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) uses guided imagery and eye movements to help you reprocess traumatic memories. Through ART, you can replace distressing images with more neutral or positive ones, rapidly reducing symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety.
Brainspotting targets trauma stored in the brain and body by using focused eye positioning to access deep emotional processing centers. It helps you process and release unresolved trauma that may not be easily accessible through talk therapy, addressing both emotional and physical symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns resulting from trauma, such as feelings of failure or guilt. CBT also addresses avoidance behaviors and equips you with coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms related to your experience.
Together, these approaches provide a holistic, effective treatment for healing from trauma or birth trauma, addressing emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of the experience.
Your Trauma Questions, Answered
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Trauma therapy helps individuals process experiences that overwhelm the nervous system. At Metro Counseling and Wellness in Minneapolis, trauma therapy focuses on regulation, safety, and healing—not reliving the trauma.
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No. Many clients seek trauma therapy for chronic stress, childhood emotional neglect, medical or birth trauma, or long-term anxiety. Trauma is about impact, not the event itself.
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Signs include feeling constantly on edge, difficulty sleeping, emotional numbness, irritability, panic, or shutting down. Trauma-informed therapy can help restore balance.
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Yes. Metro Counseling and Wellness offers trauma-informed counseling and nervous system-based therapy in Minneapolis.
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Yes. Many anxiety symptoms are rooted in nervous system dysregulation. Trauma-informed therapy addresses anxiety by increasing safety and regulation.
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Working with me is collaborative, compassionate, and paced around your sense of safety. I believe healing from trauma happens best when you feel genuinely seen, respected, and in control of the process. From the start, my priority is creating a calm, non-judgmental space where you don’t feel pressured to share more than you’re ready for.
Clients often describe our work as supportive yet empowering—where they feel guided but not pushed, validated while also challenged to grow. My goal is not just symptom relief, but helping you reconnect with yourself, build resilience, and move forward with greater clarity, self-compassion, and confidence.