Trauma and PTSD
Could this be trauma?
Trauma isn't only what happened to you — it's also how your nervous system still responds. Intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and avoidance can linger long after the event itself is over.
What it can feel like
Trauma can come from a single event or from years of smaller wounds. It can leave you feeling like the world is unsafe, like your body is betraying you, or like parts of your life are frozen in time.
You don't need a specific diagnosis to deserve support. If something from your past is still affecting your present, therapy can help your nervous system process it safely.
Common signs
- ·Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- ·Avoiding reminders of what happened
- ·Negative changes in mood or beliefs about yourself or the world
- ·Feeling detached or emotionally numb
- ·Hypervigilance or being easily startled
- ·Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- ·Strong physical reactions to reminders
- ·Guilt, shame, or self-blame that feels disproportionate
Start with a free self-check
The screeners below are the same ones used in clinics worldwide. They're free, private, and take a few minutes. Your results appear on screen immediately.
Trauma and PTSD · Primary screener
Trauma & PTSD Self-Test
The standard 20-item PTSD checklist used by clinicians and the VA. About 5 minutes.
What trauma therapy looks like
I work with adults to process difficult experiences at a pace that feels safe. The goal isn't to force you to talk about details before you're ready; it's to reduce the power the past holds over your present.
- ●Trauma-informed, paced approach to difficult memories
- ●Grounding and regulation techniques for the body
- ●Understanding triggers and building safety
- ●Rebuilding trust in yourself and your relationships
Related reading
Trauma
The Body Keeps a Calendar: Anniversary Reactions and Trauma Memory
How implicit memory works, why trauma anniversaries hit the body before the mind, and what can ease them.
Trauma
People-Pleasing as a Trauma Response: The Fawn Reflex
Why chronic people-pleasing is better understood as a trauma response than as a personality trait — and how to begin to take up space.
Common questions
Is the PCL-5 a diagnosis?
No. The PCL-5 is a screening tool that measures how much trauma-related symptoms have been affecting you over the last month. A higher score suggests it's worth speaking with a mental health professional; it does not diagnose PTSD on its own.
How long does the trauma test take?
The PCL-5 has twenty questions and takes most people about five minutes. You get your results on screen immediately, and you can choose to have them emailed to you.
Do I have to talk about what happened in detail?
No. Trauma therapy is paced by you. We focus on building safety and regulation first, and we only go into details when and if you feel ready.
Can trauma therapy be done online?
Yes. Online trauma therapy can be effective, provided you have a private space where you won't be interrupted. We'll make sure you have grounding tools in place before doing deeper work.