Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA

Overcome the Pain of Past Experience

“I just want a life worth living.”

” I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become” Carl Jung

Trauma is not a life sentence. 

Your body is made to move forward and release the pain of the past. 

Untreated trauma shows up through:

Please do not suffer any longer, Trauma Therapy can help.

Neuroscience and Somatic Therapy have evolved over the past few decades with powerful and innovative ways to resolve and heal  traumatic experience. By working through the body/mind connection, we can heal the impact of trauma. Dr. Peter Levine reminds us that trauma does not have to follow us for the rest of our lives. The experience and the memory of the trauma can be integrated into our consciousness and dis-empowered. We can get our lives back. Andrea-Marie, a skilled practitioner in healing trauma, wants to help you on this journey to regain control of your life.

What is trauma?

Trauma is the result of experiencing terrifying and life-threatening events. If you have felt inescapable shock, as Dr. Bessel van der Kolk tells us, your system becomes overwhelmed and breaks down. You will not store the trauma in the way memory is normally stored. This can make sharing the experience difficult, and of course, it can be emotionally charged. Past trauma may have caused you to dissociate and lose access to your feelings and your body. As a result, you may not remember much. Alternately, you may remember fine details of the traumatic event, even if it occurred decades ago.

Trauma can cause odd symptoms in the body. You may have chronic pain or recurring dreams. You might have unexplained or irrational fears of seemingly non-frightening things. 

How do we work with Trauma?

All of the symptoms of trauma present the pathway of how to work with it. Even in dire situations, the wisdom of the body is still at work. Trying to save you from feeling, you may have some or all of your emotions turned down or off, even though the trauma has passed this state of non-feeling will continue. In trauma therapy, we work to help update your brain and body so you can move ahead in life as a balanced individual.

Some survivors of trauma, Carolyn Braddock reminds us, were told never to speak about the trauma. This may appear in symptoms like sore throats, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments which stifle the voice. This does not mean every sore throat indicates trauma but it is a specific example of how the body’s attempt to save us also may impede us.

The Missing Piece

Trauma work involves somatic (body) wisdom, talking and sharing what feels safe to share, and noticing patterns in feelings or emotions, and patterns of behaviour and belief. We work to be in contact with the system of trauma, to recognize it and integrate it. One of the issues about trauma is that there was no rescuer present at the time of the traumatic event. Whether we were children or older, we did not get the help we needed. There was something missing. With trauma work, we bring in that missing piece.

We slowly and gently follow the body.

A client with a childhood of abuse and neglect found the act of physically reaching their arms out, as if to be held, was emotionally overwhelming. This lifelong fear of reaching out caused muscle and fascia tension in their hands, arms, neck, and spine. It also created difficulties in relationships and self-value. This client was very fearful of being hurt and abandoned by anyone they loved.

In trauma work, using the action of reaching the arms out and slowly tracking the emotion and memory which arose gave this client a profound understanding of their childhood neglect and how it interrupted their ability to create relationships. The need for safety and love is within all children. When this client allowed themself to feel the need for love while at the same time feeling the fear of neglect, they began to integrate their childhood trauma. They created a new way to live.

All humans have a unique ability to get past a traumatic event and continue on with living. 

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma symptoms and underlying issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, and unexplained body pain are unresolved trauma. We will bury painful memories, yet, over time the stress on our body and mind becomes overwhelming. Our lives may fall apart, our relationships suffer, and our ability to keep on going lessens dramatically.

Untreated trauma can impact us in many ways. It radically alters how we relate to others, the world, and to ourselves. It can devastate our lives, our bodies, and our spirit. 

But it is not forever. We can integrate trauma. We can live without the pain of past trauma.

What causes trauma?

  • Abuse at any time in life- physical, emotional, sexual
  • Natural disasters
  • Covid 19 pandemic
  • Car accidents
  • Crime
  • Domestic violence
  • Losing someone close to you
  • Witnessing something scary
  • Illness, surgeries, diseases
  • End of a relationship
  • Bullying
  • Overwhelm of world events
  • Negative cultural issues/beliefs

There is Healing.

Symptoms of Trauma

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Social anxiety
  • Health anxiety
  • Addiction
  • Sleep issues
  • Chronic muscle tension
  • Migraine
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Avoidance
  • Intimacy and sexuality issues
  • Promiscuity
  • Sexual/love addiction
  • Undiagnosable body pains
  • Nightmares

Symptoms of PTSD

  • Painful memories
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Avoiding things that remind you of the trauma
  • Hopelessness
  • Negative thoughts
  • Memory troubles
  • Relational issues
  • Feeling disconnected from others
  • Feeling numb
  • Depression
  • Guilt or shame
  • Sleep problems
  • Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
  • Increase startle response
 
Woman floating underwater representing someone who is drowning in the sea of trauma. Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA is the life line you need to break the cycle of trauma, Reach out now.
Woman wrapped in a sheet looking out the window on a gray and dreary day representing someone dealing with trauma who would benefit from Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA.
Graphic with tiles that have words representing the different feelings associated with trauma representing the many ways trauma can impact daily life in a negative way. Break through these feelings with Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA today.
Railway bridege that has the words "Never Give Up" spray painted on it representing the powerful impact overcoming trauma through Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA can have on your present and your future.
A blue door with an ornate handle representing opening the pathway to the subconcious mind body connection with Somatic Therapy in Pasadena, CA.
Building with a sign on it that says "How are you really?" representing the hidden aspects of past trauma in our lives. Bring those hidden feelings out into the light with Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA.
Young African American girl with her hand on her face as she deals with the impact of trauma in her life. Overcome trauma through Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA and start living your best life.

Overcome Shame and Isolation

Realize you are not alone and your suffering is understood. Feelings of fear, guilt and shame are common and can be mitigated.

Regain Comfort and Safety

Experience a calm body and a peaceful mind. Relieve anxiety and compulsive thoughts.

Feel Powerful and Confident

Live from your organic self, loosen doubt and fear. Reach your goals.

Live Life to its Fullest!

Finally, a life without the shadow of trauma!

Happy young woman in a field of flowers looking at her reflection in the mirror representing looking inward to find peace with Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA.

Overcome Trauma Today

1. Reach Out

Click the Make an Appointment button and schedule your session today.

2. Let the healing begin

By combining somatic therapy, trauma counseling, mindfulness and neuroscience, you will be of the powerful grip of trauma  

3. Live Your Beautiful Life!

With trauma now in the past, you are free to live, love and enjoy everything life has to offer. 

Other Services Counseling Services Offered by Andrea-Marie Stark in Pasadena, CA

In addition to Trauma Therapy, Andrea-Marie offers a wide variety of holistic and spiritually driven services. These include Depth Psychology, Somatic Therapy, Intuitive Counseling, Shamanic Healing, Reiki, and Mindfulness. If you are stuck and in need of a supportive and nonjudgmental place to rediscover yourself, reach out today!