PTSD: More Than Meets the Eye

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing significant distress and problems in daily functioning.

Examples of traumatic events include:

PTSD is often like an iceberg—what others see on the surface is only a small part of what you’re carrying. The heaviest parts of your experience remain hidden underneath. I’m here to help you safely explore those deeper layers with evidence-based care, compassion, expertise, and support, so you don’t have to navigate them alone.

An infographic titled 'PTSD ICEBERG' illustrating how PTSD is perceived versus what it actually is, with an iceberg graphic showing negative mental health effects beneath the surface such as emotional distress, survivor's guilt, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and memory issues.

What Trauma Really Is

Trauma isn’t defined by how “big” an event was — it’s defined by how your nervous system had to cope with it. Your body learns to protect you through fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown responses. Trauma therapy helps you understand these patterns and re-establish safety. I provide trauma-focused therapy for adolescents and adults throughout Michigan to help you heal, understand your reactions, and feel grounded again.