Trauma Therapy

When it comes to trauma, I’m all about creating a safe space where you can unpack the heavy stuff without feeling judged. We dive into those past experiences at your pace, working together to heal the wounds and rewrite the narrative so you can move forward with less weight on your shoulders.

Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. Similarly, enduring social pressures and biases can also keep us stuck in thinking or behaviors that don’t serve us well. Working with memetic tools can help dislodge stuck memories or thoughts so you can experience life from an optimal space.

The label "trauma therapy" is broad, and encompasses different modalities of therapy. The type of trauma therapy I offer is grounded in the mind-body connection, which means that I focus on the body, in addition to what's happening psychologically. My aim is to help you understand how stress and difficult emotions manifest in the body, e.g. muscle tension, sweating, cold hands/feet, heart rate, etc. I also teach clients body-based approaches to dealing with anxiety, stress, and trauma.

I have over a decade of working in trauma services as well as interacting with the overlapping service providers and systems that often come into play, including family and criminal court systems, and assisting client attaining reasonable accommodations or assistance at work, school, or other environments.

I began working with individuals with trauma back in 2007 as a graduate student. In addition to the use of CBT, Humanistic and SFBT for trauma, I have also been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy designed specifically to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I have completed the clinical trauma therapist certification program.

Trauma results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening. Everyone will experience some level of trauma in their lives, but not everyone will develop lasting adverse side effects.

I have been utilizing Trauma-Focused CBT in my practice for the past 5 years. TF-CBT is an evidence-based practice that involves learning about how trauma influences us across various domains and leads to unhelpful responses to trauma reminders (sometimes called triggers). While primarily utilized with children and adolescents, my extensive training in this modality has helped me to develop a foundational understanding of how to treat the impacts of trauma across the life span.

I am a certified clinical trauma professional, CCTP. I can help you create new ways of countering the intense suddenness of painful memories, the endless sense of dread, or break the loops of cycling fear, anger, depression and anxiety. I can help you retrain your body through mindful awareness techniques and other tools to cope, heal and bring more peace, and a sense of safety, back into your life.

Trauma work is at the root of everything I do. Life is filled with little "t" traumas and big "T" Traumas, but we all have to deal with this pain at multiple points in our lives. The consequences of not doing so can be profound, and the opportunity for healing is a life-changing one.

I have received extensive training for PTSD treatment, including a training in Rwanda from survivors of genocide, and have supported folks with chronic trauma histories for over 7 years in healing and moving forward in their lives in the ways they want to.

Marina has completed the initial training for EMDR and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) treatment approaches to enhance her knowledge of PTSD, Complex Trauma, and Ongoing Traumatic Stress. Working through trauma and distressful emotional accounts enhances performance, mental vitality and stability, relational attunement and connection, and increases effectiveness in areas of life, including personal, spiritual, social, and professional.

As an eclectic, relational therapist, I draw most often from Narrative Focused Trauma Care. I have completed two certificates through The Allender Center. It is a profoundly kind therapeutic style in which the harm you have suffered and how it has shaped you and your relationships is witnessed with deep kindness and compassion.

Recovery and resiliency

My expertise lies in helping individuals heal from the impacts of traumatic experiences. With a deep understanding of the complex nature of trauma, I use EMDR, CPT, and TF-CBT. I support clients in processing and integrating their traumatic memories, managing distressing symptoms, and rebuilding a sense of safety and empowerment. I aim to provide a nurturing space for healing and assist my clients in reclaiming their lives beyond the trauma.

I utilize IFS (Internal Family Systems), Cognitive Processing Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT to help clients process and heal their trauma.

I have 18 years of experience guiding my clients in healing from childhood, attachment and developmental trauma. I have a deep understanding of trauma responses, how trauma is stored in the body, and trauma processing therapy which allows me to effectively help my clients improve relationships, self-worth, and overall well-being. My expertise in providing practical, actionable insights tailored to your needs ensures that I can address your unique challenges.

I practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a is a type of trauma therapy that allows your brain to go over the details of past events that still affect you. You don’t need to have PTSD to get help from EMDR! EMDR is “three pronged”—it’s focused on the past, present, and future. We want to target the past memories and events, current triggers you’re experiencing now, and how you’d like to respond to these triggers in the future.