Relationship Trauma & Emotional Abuse Therapy in Michigan

Relationship trauma happens when someone you trusted became a source of fear, confusion, or emotional harm. Even after the relationship ends, your body and mind may still carry the impact. I provide trauma-informed therapy for adolescents and adults across Michigan who are healing from hurtful, controlling, or emotionally unsafe relationships. You deserve to feel safe, understood, and supported — without judgment or pressure.

Types of relationship trauma I treat:

  • Dating violence

  • Toxic friendships

  • Parent/guardian emotional abuse

  • Controlling or coercive dynamics

  • Narcissistic emotional abuse

  • Trauma during identity development

  • Peer relationship trauma

  • Online/virtual relationship manipulation

What Relationship Trauma Looks Like

Relationship trauma isn’t always obvious. It can come from partners, parents, friends, or anyone who played a meaningful role in your life.

People often seek therapy because of:

  • Feeling “on-edge” around loved ones

  • Difficulty trusting new partners

  • Fear of conflict or disappointing others

  • Feeling like you’re “too much” or “not enough”

  • Constantly seeking reassurance

  • Feeling guilty for things that weren’t your fault

  • People-pleasing or fawning to avoid conflict

  • Feeling confused about what’s “normal” in relationships

  • Doubting your own memory or judgment

  • Feeling emotionally drained, small, or controlled

If any of these resonate, you are not alone — and your reactions make sense.

How Relationship Trauma Therapy Helps

In therapy, we work together to help you:

  • Understand what happened

    • We explore how the relationship affected your emotions, beliefs, and nervous system — without blaming or shaming you.

  • Rebuild self-trust

    • You learn to reconnect with your instincts, boundaries, and inner voice.

  • Heal identity and self-worth

    • We work to re-establish a sense of who you are outside of survival mode.

  • Strengthen relationship skills

    • Healthy communication, boundaries, and emotional regulation become easier.

  • Break cycles that keep repeating

    • We explore former patterns compassionately so you can create new ones.

  • Create safety in yourself and with others

    • You learn what safe connection feels like, in your body and relationship.

My Approach to Relationship Trauma Therapy

My work is gentle, collaborative, and trauma-informed. Together, we focus on:

  • Creating emotional and physical safety

  • Understanding fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses

  • Exploring attachment wounds and assertiveness

  • Reclaiming your voice, identity, and self-worth

  • Healing at a pace that feels right for you

  • Using EMDR/CPT/PE/WET/CBT/ACT as needed

You never have to share details before you’re ready. You stay in control of the process.