Complex Trauma
Complex trauma describes the experience of those people who have had numerous exposures, often from and early age, to neglect, physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. It is interpersonal, meaning inflicted by another, usually a caretaker. It effects ones sense of self, development, sense of safety and trust in our intuitive nature. In this type of trauma there is little acknowledgement of real events which leads to confusion and self-blame. It generally occurs in families, across multiple generations, and is difficult to recognize and change without support. Many people with these life events experience trouble in relationships, communication difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and can struggle with harmful coping skills such as substance misuse, eating disorders, etc. This type of long-term exposure also makes the body very vulnerable to chronic illness, chronic pain and other stress-related problems.
Substance Misuse
People use drugs for a multitude of reasons that are complex and specific to the user. These factors result in the development of a relationship with the drug of choice, an attachment which plays a major role in the biology, psychology and social capacity of the person who is struggling. I view substance misuse as a mental health issue that impacts not only the user but those people in their lives who are experiencing a loss of connection. I practice using a harm reduction philosophy which sees services existing on a continuum, allowing for individually tailored treatment based on your needs. This could include, but is not limited to, a restructuring of use patterns to cause less harm to the self and others, moderation management, mindfulness-based approaches to managing underlying causes of misuse or creative support for a goal of abstinence if desired. Together we will look at the many contributing pieces and work to loosen the dependence by allowing for exploration of personal history and current stressors, underlying biological factors, past and current trauma, impaired coping skills and difficulties with communication.
Families, partners and friends of those struggling with substances, either presently or in the past, can also benefit greatly from therapy. When you love someone whose primary relationship is with their drug of choice, it can be experienced as a trauma. Boundaries become very blurry and often there is an experience of betrayal, anger, fear, deep sadness and loss. It is important to get perspective and support to be able to set loving boundaries that work for you. Each person is different and will have their own set of goals for wellness.
For those who have lost a loved one to Overdose there can be an added stigma attached to the loss which makes grieving more complicated. It is very important to address the isolation and complexity of grieving this type of death so that processing this pain is possible.
Cancer treatment and Survivorship
A cancer diagnosis will turn a person's world upside-down in an instant. It is difficult to wade through the dense amount of medical information offered while also trying to attend to your own personal feelings, and those of your loved ones, all while rearranging your life for this game changing event. It is helpful to create a place for yourself to sort this experience in real-time, with expertise support. We can discuss the logistics of concrete issues such as how to choose a treatment plan, employment issues your legal rights and who to tell and what to tell them, managing surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, side-effects, depression and anxiety, communication with caretakers and the emotional and spiritual impact of this disease.
After treatment ends, a new and complex phase begins, Survivorship. It is an exciting time for you and those around you, but the adjustment can also be difficult. Our culture has high expectations for the "cancer warrior" that might be welcomed but also have the potential to feel overwhelming. The body and mind have just been through a turbulent experience and need time to heal. There is gratitude for life, but also feelings of grief while adjusting to a new body with mental and physical complications. We can address these feelings and create a "mental health" survivorship plan that is tailored to your needs and always keeps your specific goals at the forefront.