Areas of Expertise

How We Help

Trauma Therapy

When things happen to us in our lives that are so scary, confusing, or dangerous, our brain creates a “file” in our memory that says – hey you, if anything that even resembles this happens again, go into THREAT mode. For each of us, our threat response varies, but what is constant is that our brains and bodies take over our system to help us survive from the threat. The automatic process of the brain and body is a survival mechanism to keep you safe from danger that still feels imminent (unconsciously). Trauma and trauma triggers happen because of this inherently human feedback loop. Our responses to trauma often leave us feeling, out of control, stuck or shameful - usually because we have misplaced responsibility onto ourselves, have limited emotional understanding of how or why this has happened to us, or we have developed negative beliefs about ourselves because of others harm to us. One job of healing requires us to reflect deeply into the past and help the mind-body see that you made it through, and that the trauma is no longer happening; or, if it is, that we have more choices in the chaos than we can see.

This is where EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, Cognitive Approaches, and other brain-body based approaches to healing lead the way. These approaches will help you to holistically reexamine, re-write and update your brain and nervous system so that you can respond to what is true and real in your life today rather than reacting from difficult traumatic triggers/patterns from your past.

How do we define trauma?

Big T and Little T: Life changes, losses and larger traumas that were out of your control, including accidents, job loss, divorce, grief loss, serious injury, sexual violence, life-threatening experiences, etc. Each one of us has a unique capacity to handle stress, known as resilience, which impacts our ability to cope with trauma, whether it is big T or little T. Even though the trauma is behind you, your brain and body might get “stuck” and be unable to metabolize the feelings and memories enough to making meaning and move on from the experience. In turn, this affects our ability to be clear headed, emotionally calm and at ease, productive at work, learn at school, feel safe in relationships, sleep or simply to feel joy, etc. In short, we find ourselves simply unable live our lives as we did before the experience. Therapy rooted in trauma-centered approaches can help you process the experience and heal.

Complex T: Long enduring traumas that were experienced over a life span and shaped how we came to know ourselves; including, foster care/adoption, childhood attachment wounding from a caregiver, caregiver emotional unavailability, familial addiction, racial discrimination, social and academic trauma related to neurodiversity and marginalization. The research is clear, complex trauma creates difficulties with establishing healthy relationships, self-confidence, including self-worth deficits, difficulties with relational boundaries, physical health deficits, learning, sleep, addiction, trusting others, and much more.

Each of us have accumulated trauma in our lives and, once treated through trauma therapy, we can experience true freedom emotionally, physically and relationally.

Stress

Stress is something that we all live with and is tolerable in small to medium doses. Stress in large amounts (especially daily) can wreak havoc in our lives, relationships and on our bodies. It can change our thoughts - which it turn changes our feelings - which in turn changes our nervous system responses. An overly active and alert nervous system sets the tone for our internal experiences, including our sleep, self-talk, mood and motivation. And, it hurts our overall physical health. Simply put, high amounts of stress can become a chronic emotional and physical problem until addressed and therefore, stress management is essential to overall health.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and/or depression can feel overwhelming. This may lead you to feel “stuck” or “frozen” in life without any control. In therapy, you will be safe to explore the underlying causes and triggers for your anxiety and depression while also cultivating effective strategies to manage it that promote relaxation, resilience, and overall well-being. By increasing awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, we can identify patterns and triggers that contribute to your symptoms. Through a combination of talk therapy, EMDR, mindfulness techniques, and body-centered practices, we will work to reset the balance within mind and body.

Our goal is to empower you to take back the reins of control in your life through taking an active role in your healing journey. Partnering with you along your journey, your therapist will support you with compassion, understanding, and a safe space to explore your true self. Together, we will quiet the overwhelm that anxiety and depression bring and work towards greater inner peace, resilience, and joy.

Attachment Healing

At Rootworks Wellness, we recognize the toll that mental and emotional suffering can have in our lives. We utilize evidenced-based approaches to help every client learn to understand their stress and triggers, relate to it in different and evolving ways, manage it and release it as our work together intensifies. We are passionate about helping our clients reclaim their own sense of balance and are here for you should our approach feel right for you.

To learn more, please feel free to contact us for a complimentary phone consultation.

Free Phone Consultation