Your symptoms are not who you are.
They are learned responses to what you’ve lived through.
Trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy for adults — virtual across NJ & PA
What Is Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)?
Complex trauma—often referred to as Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)—develops through ongoing emotional stress, rather than a single traumatic event.
This type of trauma commonly forms in childhood or adolescence and is shaped by repeated experiences of emotional neglect, inconsistency, or relational instability. Over time, your nervous system adapts to stay alert, guarded, or self-reliant—patterns that may no longer serve you now, but once helped you survive.
How Complex Trauma Develops in Childhood and Relationships
Complex trauma often develops when caregivers were emotionally unavailable, unpredictable, or unable to respond consistently to your needs. Even without overt abuse, the absence of emotional safety can shape how you learned to relate—to yourself and to others.
These early adaptations can carry forward into adulthood, affecting how safe you feel in relationships, how you manage emotions, and how you respond to stress.
Signs of Complex Trauma in Adults
Complex trauma doesn’t always look dramatic or obvious. For many adults, it shows up quietly and persistently—especially in moments of closeness, conflict, or emotional vulnerability.
Emotional and Nervous System Symptoms of Complex Trauma
Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
Emotional overwhelm or shutdown
Difficulty calming your body after stress
Persistent shame or self-criticism
Feeling “on edge” even when nothing is wrong
Relationship and Attachment Patterns Linked to C-PTSD
People-pleasing or fear of disappointing others
Difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries
Over-responsibility in relationships
Fear of closeness, dependence, or being a burden
Cycles of emotional distance and longing
These are learned responses shaped by your nervous system.
My Approach to Healing Complex Trauma
I offer attachment-focused, trauma-informed therapy that goes beyond insight alone.
Healing complex trauma requires more than coping strategies—it requires helping your system feel safe enough to change.
My work integrates:
Attachment-Focused EMDR to process relational trauma and emotional neglect
Nervous-system-based trauma therapy
DBT-informed skills for emotional regulation and boundaries
A collaborative, paced approach that prioritizes safety and consent
We don’t rush.
We don’t force memories.
We build stability first—then gently work toward healing at your pace.
What Therapy Can Help You Develop
Through complex trauma therapy, many clients begin to experience:
Less anxiety and emotional reactivity
A greater sense of internal safety
Clearer boundaries without guilt
More stable, fulfilling relationships
Increased self-trust and self-compassion
The ability to respond rather than react
This Therapy May Be a Good Fit If You:
Identify as high-functioning but emotionally overwhelmed
Grew up feeling unseen, unsupported, or emotionally alone
Struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, or chronic self-doubt
Want trauma therapy that addresses attachment and the nervous system
Are ready for deeper work—not just surface-level coping tools
This May Not Be the Right Fit If You:
Are looking for quick symptom suppression only
Prefer a highly directive or advice-only approach
Are not interested in exploring relational or developmental trauma
Frequently Asked Questions About Healing from Complex PTSD
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PTSD often stems from a single event, while C-PTSD develops from repeated or long-term trauma. Both involve a dysregulated nervous system, but healing from complex PTSD often requires deeper relational and attachment-focused work.
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Healing from complex PTSD is not a linear process. Some clients notice shifts in a few months; others choose to continue longer for deeper healing. We’ll move at your pace and create goals that feel right for you.
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Many of my clients come to me after years of traditional talk therapy. Approaches that integrate the nervous system and body can create breakthroughs where other methods haven’t.
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime!