Therapy Issues

Childhood trauma is not just about major, singular events; it also includes chronic stress, neglect, emotional unavailability, or living in an unpredictable environment. If you find yourself struggling with persistent issues like difficulty regulating emotions, chronic feelings of shame or guilt, struggles with trust and relationships, or a constant feeling of being “on edge,” these are strong indicators that past experiences are impacting your present. At Evergreen Counseling, we understand that trauma is less about what happened and more about the lasting impact on your nervous system and sense of self. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing and reclaiming your life.

The right time to seek therapy is whenever the past is interfering with your present happiness and functioning. If you notice that your trauma responses—such as people-pleasing, avoidance, emotional shutdowns, or explosive anger—are damaging your relationships, hindering your career, or causing you physical distress, it’s time to reach out. You don’t have to wait for a crisis; seeking support is a proactive step toward building a more stable and fulfilling future. Evergreen Counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental space to begin this essential work of healing and integration.

Healing from childhood trauma requires more than just talk therapy; it necessitates an approach that addresses the body and the nervous system, where trauma is stored. At Evergreen Counseling, our trauma-informed approach integrates modalities like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing. These therapies move beyond surface-level coping to help you gently process traumatic memories, regulate your nervous system, and foster a deeper sense of wholeness and self-compassion, leading to lasting change.

Therapy for childhood trauma is fundamentally different because it is centered on safety, pacing, and client autonomy. Unlike traditional counseling, a trauma-informed approach, like the one practiced at Evergreen Counseling, prioritizes stabilizing your nervous system before delving into memories. We avoid pathologizing survival mechanisms and instead view them as adaptive responses that were necessary at the time. This approach ensures that you are never pushed past your window of tolerance, allowing for gentle, sustainable healing without the risk of re-traumatization.

The timeline for healing childhood trauma is highly individual, as it depends on the depth of the trauma and your unique pace of processing. While there is no fixed duration, many clients begin to notice improvements in their daily emotional regulation and relationships within the first few months of consistent work. Our focus is on building a solid foundation of safety and self-awareness first, ensuring that the changes you experience are deep, lasting, and integrated, rather than just quick fixes. We emphasize that healing is a journey, not a race, and we honor your pace completely.

Therapy is incredibly effective for healing the core wounds of childhood trauma, and many people achieve significant recovery without medication. Our trauma-informed therapies, such as Somatic Experiencing and IFS, focus on resolving the underlying dysregulation in the nervous system, which often reduces symptoms like anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance. However, medication can be a helpful tool for some individuals to manage severe symptoms and create the necessary stability to engage fully in therapy. We can discuss your specific needs and coordinate care with a psychiatrist if appropriate, always emphasizing your informed choice.

In a session at Evergreen Counseling, the focus is on your present experience and what your body and emotions are telling you, not solely on recounting painful details. We might start with grounding exercises to ensure you feel safe and present. Depending on the modality, we may explore your “parts” using IFS, or notice physical sensations with Somatic Experiencing. You are always in control of what you share; we believe in “dosing” the trauma work, meaning we only process what your system can handle at that moment, ensuring a gentle, empowering experience.

It is a valid and common fear that therapy will be re-traumatizing, which is why our approach at Evergreen Counseling is designed specifically to prevent this. We operate from a place of deep respect for your defenses and survival mechanisms. Healing does not require you to relive the trauma; rather, it involves processing the stored emotional and physical residue of the past in a safe, contained, and supported environment. We use body-centered and parts-based techniques that allow for gentle release without overwhelming your system, prioritizing your safety and comfort above all else.

Yes, therapy is strictly confidential. Everything you discuss with your therapist at Evergreen Counseling is protected by law and professional ethics, meaning no one—not your employer, friends, or family—will know you are in therapy unless you choose to tell them. The only exceptions to confidentiality are mandated by law and relate to immediate danger to yourself or others, or suspected child or elder abuse. We are committed to creating a private and secure space where you can feel completely safe to be vulnerable and focus entirely on your healing journey.

Finding the right therapist, especially for something as sensitive as childhood trauma, is crucial, and we encourage you to prioritize the therapeutic relationship. We recommend scheduling a consultation call to get a feel for the therapist’s style, experience, and energy. A good fit means you feel seen, respected, and safe enough to be vulnerable. Look for a therapist who is explicitly trained in trauma-specific modalities and who emphasizes collaboration and autonomy, ensuring you feel like an active partner in your healing process.

Recovery from childhood trauma is marked by a shift from surviving to thriving. You will know therapy is working when you notice a greater capacity for emotional regulation, meaning less intense reactions and quicker recovery from stress. Success indicators include improved relationships, a reduction in self-criticism and shame, and a feeling of being more present and grounded in your body. Ultimately, recovery looks like freedom—the freedom to choose your responses, to trust yourself, and to build a life defined by peace and connection, rather than the echoes of the past.

To provide the highest quality, individualized care without the limitations imposed by insurance companies, Evergreen Counseling operates as an out-of-network provider. This means we do not bill insurance directly. However, we are happy to provide you with a superbill—a detailed receipt of services—which you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider to inquire about your out-of-network mental health benefits to understand your coverage and financial options.