Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Glendale & Phoenix, Arizona and Minnesota
You’ve survived it. Now let’s heal what it left behind.
Trauma doesn’t always look like a single, dramatic event. Sometimes it’s years of smaller wounds — things that were said, things that weren’t, moments where you learned the world wasn’t safe. If your past continues to show up in your present in ways that feel hard to untangle, trauma therapy can help.
You know something isn’t right. You just can’t pinpoint what.
You feel constantly on edge — anxious, easily startled, always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Your emotional reactions feel disproportionate to the situation, and you don’t understand why.
You struggle to trust others — or even trust your own feelings and needs.
There’s a relentless inner critic telling you you’re not enough, that something is fundamentally wrong with you.
Sleep feels impossible — nightmares, restlessness, or waking up exhausted no matter how much rest you get.
You keep the peace, stay quiet, shrink yourself — anything to avoid upsetting others.
You feel emotionally numb, or you’ve found ways to avoid feeling altogether — food, scrolling, staying busy, shutting down.
You know intellectually that you’re safe. But your body hasn’t gotten the memo.
If any of this resonates — it’s not because something is wrong with you. It’s because your nervous system is still carrying something it was never meant to hold onto forever.
What would it feel like to finally
put the weight down?
Imagine feeling safe in your body
— not because you're forcing yourself to calm down, but because your nervous system has finally learned that the danger has passed.
Imagine being present with the people you love without constantly bracing for what could go wrong.
Imagine the memories from your past still being there, but without the sharp edges — no longer raw, no longer running the show.
Imagine trusting yourself enough to let people in, to ask for what you need, to take up space without apologizing for it.
This isn't about erasing what happened to you.
It's about making sure it no longer gets to decide how you live.
This isn’t traditional talk therapy.
You don’t have to relive every detail of what happened. You don’t have to have a perfect memory. And you definitely don’t have to “talk through it” over and over for healing to happen.
The approaches I use — EMDR, IFS, and Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) — are evidence-based, neuroscience-informed therapies that work with your brain and nervous system to process what’s been stuck. They address the root cause of your symptoms, not just the surface.
Together, we’ll start by creating safety — in the room and in your body. From there, I’ll help you understand how your past shows up in your present, and we’ll work at a pace your nervous system can handle. No rushing. No forcing. Just intentional, guided healing that helps your system finally learn that the danger has passed.
I’m not the therapist who sits back and listens quietly. I’m active, attuned, and intentional — helping you connect the dots, recognize patterns, and move toward the kind of deep, lasting change that talk therapy alone can’t reach.
Hi, I'm Amy
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified EMDR Therapist with over 20 years of experience. But more than that, I'm someone that has navigated the process of healing from my own trauma.
My own journey through depression and anxiety is what led me to this work. I know what it feels like to carry quiet pain that no one around you sees — and I know how transformative it is when you finally get the right support.
I'm not the therapist that just listens. I help you see the patterns you can't see on your own, notice what's happening beneath the words, and walk with you into the places that feel too scary to go alone.
My clients tell me they feel seen in a way they haven't before — that there's a safety in our sessions that lets them finally let the walls down.
And that's where the real healing begins.
Questions you might be holding onto.
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No — and in fact, with the approaches I use, the less detailed talking the better. Trauma therapy is most effective when we work with how the trauma shows up in your nervous system — through body sensations and emotions — rather than retelling the story over and over.
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That’s completely normal — shame and embarrassment are your nervous system’s way of protecting you. I will never force you to share something you’re not ready to share. We’ll work at your pace, and trust that when your system feels safe enough, it will allow you to open up. And P.S. — I’ve pretty much heard it all. Whatever you’ve been holding onto will be met with curiosity and compassion.
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That’s expected. When something is overwhelming, the brain goes into survival mode instead of memory-recording mode. Memory gaps are normal with trauma, and we never force recall. Your brain and body still hold the experience, so we follow whatever emotional or physical responses are present — that’s exactly how trauma therapy is designed to work.
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It’s incredibly common to compare or downplay our experiences. As Gabor Maté says, “trauma is not what happened to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.” If it stuck with you or still affects you, that’s usually a sign it mattered — even if it doesn’t seem dramatic on paper.
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Shutting down is a natural survival response — honestly, it’s quite brilliant that your brain knows how to do that. If it happens in everyday life, it may happen in the therapy room too, and that’s okay. It’s actually really good information about your system. I’ll be there to help you understand it and work with it, so that over time your brain learns it doesn’t need to check you out every time big emotions arise.
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Pacing is one of the most important parts of trauma therapy. Think of it like easing into cold water instead of jumping right in — slower helps sensitive nervous systems adjust instead of going into shock. I’ll be your guide, but you always have choices about how quickly we move. Your body sets the pace too.
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Progress doesn’t always show up in big, dramatic ways. It’s often the small shifts — sleeping a little better, getting triggered less, feeling more present with the people you love. For some, it’s finally finding words for emotional experiences, or sitting with feelings without being overwhelmed by them. Progress isn’t about never feeling pain again. It’s about gaining the confidence and courage to be present with your emotions and meet yourself with compassion when you’re struggling.
Let’s start with a conversation.
Maybe you’re not even sure therapy is the right step. Maybe you’ve been sitting on this for a while. That’s okay. Starting is the hardest part, and you’re already here.
Complete this form to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. No commitment — just a conversation to see if we’re the right fit.
