Childhood Trauma
Therapy in Michigan

Childhood experiences shape how we see ourselves, connect with others, and understand the world. When those early experiences involved fear, instability, neglect, or emotional hurt, the effects can continue into adulthood in ways that feel confusing or overwhelming. I provide trauma-focused therapy for adolescents and adults across Michigan who are healing from difficult or painful childhood environments. You deserve support that helps you feel safe, grounded, and understood.

What Childhood Trauma Really Means

Childhood trauma isn’t defined by one event — it often comes from repeated experiences that made you feel unsafe, unseen, or unsupported. This may include:

• Emotional neglect

• Being criticized, shamed, or dismissed

• Growing up around conflict or unpredictability

• A parent who was overwhelmed, unavailable, or struggling

• Taking on adult responsibilities too early or parentification

• Feeling responsible for a parent’s emotions

• Chaotic or unstable family environments

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Being told your feelings were “too much”, “dramatic”, or wrong

Childhood trauma is not always obvious — but its effects are very real.

Signs Childhood Trauma is
Affecting You as an Adult

Childhood experiences often show up later in life through:

• Feeling “not good enough”

• Fear of abandonment or rejection

• People-pleasing or difficulty setting boundaries

• Trouble trusting others

• Overthinking or perfectionism

• Feeling responsible for everyone’s emotions

• Difficulty expressing feelings

• Emotional numbness or shutdown

• Strong reactions to conflict or criticism

• Choosing partners who feel familiar, even when they’re unhealthy

• Chronic guilt or self-blame

These are not personality flaws — they are coping strategies you learned young that helped you survive.

How Childhood Trauma Therapy Helps

Therapy offers a safe, supportive place to understand your experience and heal the patterns that formed when you were young. Together, we will work on:

• Building emotional safety

  • Grounding and regulation skills so your nervous system can relax

• Understanding your story

  • Exploring your childhood at a pace that feels safe — no pressure, no forcing

• Healing shame and self-blame

  • Many adults carry guilt from childhood that was never theirs to hold

• Setting boundaries and communicating needs

  • Learning how to protect your emotional wellbeing

• Reconnecting with your identity

  • Understanding who you are outside of survival mode

• Developing healthier relationships

  • Feeling more confident, secure, and seen in your connections

Healing childhood trauma is not about reliving the past — it’s about building a different future.

My Approach to Childhood Trauma Therapy

My work is compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed. You can expect:

• A pace that feels right for you

  • You never have to talk about anything before you’re ready

• Supportive, nonjudgmental care

  • Your emotions, boundaries, and experiences are respected

• Mind-body awareness

  • We work with how trauma shows up in your body — not just your thoughts

• Attachment-focused exploration

  • Understanding how early relationships shaped your patterns now

• Skills for daily life

  • Grounding, communication, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting

Your story deserves space, and your healing deserves care.