Trauma Therapy for Adults

Trauma can shape how you see yourself, others, and the world. It can affect your body, your emotions, your relationships, and your sense of safety. Whether your trauma was recent or long ago, single‑incident or cumulative, interpersonal or institutional, healing is possible — and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Additionally, many people feel relief once they understand why their reactions make sense. As a result, the path toward healing can feel more possible.

I provide trauma‑informed, culturally grounded therapy via secure telehealth for adults located in Hawaiʻi, Illinois, and Washington.

What Trauma Therapy Helps With

Trauma therapy supports people experiencing:

• Intrusive memories or distressing reminders
• Avoidance of people, places, or situations
• Hypervigilance or feeling “on edge”
• Emotional numbing or disconnection
• Shame, guilt, or self‑blame
• Anxiety, panic, or chronic worry
• Difficulty trusting yourself or others
• Grief, identity shifts, or loss of meaning
• Impacts of betrayal, discrimination, or institutional harm

Consequently, these reactions often begin to feel more manageable with support. In turn, people often notice more clarity and steadiness in daily life.

Your reactions make sense. Trauma therapy helps you understand them, reduce distress, reconnect with your values and inner knowing, and reclaim important parts of your life. If this sounds like something you need right now, Contact me for a consultation.

Types of Traumas I Work With

Furthermore, each person’s experience is shaped by identity, relationships, and context.

Interpersonal Trauma

Abuse, assault, neglect, relationship trauma, or harm from someone you trusted. In many cases, these experiences affect trust, safety, and connection.

Betrayal Trauma

Violations of trust by partners, family, workplaces, or institutions. As a result, people may question their instincts or sense of self.

Complex Trauma

Chronic or repeated trauma over time, often beginning in childhood or across relationships. Because of this, long‑term patterns of coping can feel difficult to shift.

Institutional or Systemic Trauma

Harm caused or worsened by systems meant to protect or support you. In turn, this can create layers of harm that require culturally grounded support.

Identity‑Based Trauma

Trauma connected to racism, discrimination, or cultural betrayal. Similarly, these experiences often intersect with community, culture, and belonging.

Single‑Incident Trauma

Accidents, medical trauma, natural disasters, or sudden events. Even so, single events can leave lasting emotional and physical impacts.

Each person’s experience is unique — therapy honors the full context of your story.

Evidence‑Based Approaches I Use

Learn mor about trauma therapies that are recommended by the National Center for PTSD and the American Psychological Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of PTSD. With board certification in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, I draw on proven, science‑based approaches—including CBT, the Unified Protocol, Prolonged Exposure, and Written Exposure Therapy—to support meaningful, lasting change.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

A gold‑standard treatment, recommended by the National Center for PTSD, that helps reduce avoidance, process trauma memories, and reclaim your life. As a result, avoidance gradually loses its hold. Learn more on my Details page.

Written Exposure Therapy (WET)

A brief, structured protocol using guided writing to help you process trauma at a steady, manageable pace — ideal for people wanting focused trauma work without long‑term therapy. Additionally, this structured approach helps people move through stuck points. Learn more on my Details page.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

A structured, evidence‑based treatment that helps you examine and shift trauma‑related beliefs about safety, trust, power, control, esteem, and intimacy. CPT is especially helpful when trauma has shaped how you see yourself or the world. In other words, CPT helps you understand how trauma shaped your beliefs. CPT is a trauma-focused therapy recommended by the National Center for PTSD. Learn more on my Details page.

COPE (Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure)

An integrated, evidence‑based protocol for individuals navigating both PTSD and substance use. COPE combines Prolonged Exposure with cognitive‑behavioral strategies for substance use, supporting trauma recovery and relapse prevention simultaneously. Furthermore, integrating trauma and substance use treatment supports long‑term stability. Learn more on my Details page.

Trauma‑Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy (TrIGR)

A structured, evidence‑based approach designed to help individuals carrying significant guilt, shame, or self‑blame after traumatic or morally distressing events. TrIGR supports meaning‑making, self‑compassion, and values‑aligned living. Consequently, many people experience more self‑compassion and clarity. Learn more on my Details page.

Unified Protocol (UP)

A transdiagnostic CBT approach that targets emotion regulation, avoidance, and anxiety — especially helpful when trauma overlaps with chronic stress or relational wounds. Similarly, UP supports flexibility across different emotional experiences. Learn more on my Details page.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Skill‑based treatment that helps you understand patterns shaped by trauma and build tools to reduce distress. Overall, CBT provides practical tools you can use between sessions. Learn more on my Details page.

Trauma‑Informed, Culturally Grounded Care

Your lived experience, cultural identity, and values guide the work. We move at a pace that supports safety, readiness, and connection. In turn, this creates a foundation of safety for deeper work.

Accelerated Trauma Therapy (Intensive Formats)

For some people, weekly therapy feels too slow — especially when trauma is affecting daily life, relationships, or work. Accelerated therapy (multiple sessions per week for a short period) can help you:

• Build momentum
• Reduce avoidance
• Process trauma more efficiently
• Feel relief sooner
• Reconnect with your values and identity

As a result, accelerated formats can help you regain momentum when life feels disrupted. Accelerated formats are available for PE, WET, UP, and CBT. Learn more on my Accelerated Therapy page.

What Trauma Therapy Looks Like

A typical course of trauma therapy includes:

• A collaborative assessment to understand your symptoms and goals
• A clear, structured treatment plan
• Skills for grounding, emotional regulation, and safety
• Support in facing avoided memories or situations
• Processing trauma in a steady, supported way
• Regular check‑ins to track progress and adjust pacing

Ultimately, the goal is steady, meaningful change at a pace that supports you. Therapy is always paced with care — we move in a way that feels safe, steady, and grounded.

My Approach to Trauma Therapy

My work is grounded in:

• Trauma‑informed, culturally responsive care
• Deep respect for your lived experience
• Evidence‑based treatment
• Collaboration and transparency
• A warm, steady therapeutic presence

Because of this, the work remains collaborative, transparent, and grounded in your lived experience.

I specialize in trauma‑related disorders, betrayal trauma, institutional betrayal, and avoidance‑based patterns. My clinical work, writing, and systems‑level experience all inform the way I support clients navigating trauma. Learn more on my About page.

Telehealth Across Hawaiʻi, Illinois, and Washington

I provide trauma therapy to adults across Hawaiʻi, including Honolulu, Kailua, and the surrounding areas. I’m licensed in Hawaiʻi, Illinois, and Washington and offer telehealth to clients:

• Hawaiʻi
• Illinois
• Washington

Additionally, telehealth allows you to access trauma‑informed care from the privacy and comfort of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma therapy

A: Not at all. Many people seek trauma therapy without identifying with PTSD — your experience is what matters. For this reason, many people feel more clarity once we talk through their experience.

Q: What if I’m unsure whether something “counts” as trauma

A: If it impacted your sense of safety, trust, or identity, it matters. We can explore this together.

Q: Can trauma therapy help if the trauma happened years ago

A: Yes. Trauma can linger in the body and mind long after the event. Similarly, trauma from years ago can still shape how you feel today. Healing is always possible.

Q: What if I’m still in contact with the person or system that harmed me

A: Many people are. Therapy can help you navigate boundaries, safety, and decision‑making at your pace. As a result, therapy can help you navigate boundaries and decision‑making.

Q: Is telehealth effective for trauma therapy

A: Yes. Research shows that telehealth delivery of PE, WET, UP, and CBT is as effective as in‑person care.

Q: Do you offer accelerated trauma therapy

A: Yes — accelerated formats can help you move through stuck points more quickly and regain stability. Learn more on my Accelerated Therapy page.

Ultimately, healing is possible with steady, trauma‑informed support.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re navigating trauma and want support grounded in compassion, clarity, and evidence‑based care, I’d be honored to connect. Contact Me