Someone did something they shouldn’t have. Maybe it happened when you were a kid, maybe it happened during college, or maybe it happened as an adult, but someone has mistreated you. Someone has initiated sexual behaviors without your consent, and it has changed the way you feel in the world.

There are many myths surrounding sexual assault. In response to stories, people might say things like the survivor provoked the situation, the survivor didn’t fight back, or the survivor should just let it go. While sexual assault takes many forms, it is never the survivor’s fault. You may feel responsible, guilty, or unlovable. You may feel confused, angry, or sad. While sexual assault is a widespread problem, your situation is unique, and I want to hear your story. 

Religion has been a big part of your life. Maybe it defined who you were as a kid, a teen, or during college. Perhaps you’re just now starting to question some things that you’ve held as truth for decades. Religion formed how you see the world for better and for worse. 

Religious trauma is a cycle and you’re ready to step out of it. The abuse you’ve experienced from leaders, theology, or family happens all over the world, but you taking the step to get help puts a wrench in the works of toxic religion. But once you step out, the world outside can feel unfamiliar, confusing, and even dangerous. You, not a religious dogma, get to define what life looks like from here on out.

Thoughts bounce around your head, and it never stops. They spiral. Sometimes they even make you freeze up, making relationships at work and at home a nightmare. Small talk can even trigger anxious feelings. This worry is something you just can’t shake, and it’s weighing on you. 

Anxiety makes it hard to turn off the “what if” feeling, and it triggers your fight, flight, or freeze senses. It can make it hard to determine if something is actually a threat or not, with everyday situations turning into moments of panic and stress. People with anxiety often find themselves preparing for events that will likely never happen. Anxiety is telling them they need to be ready for any dangerous situation that might arise. Social anxiety is a challenge many people face, but understanding it through anxiety therapy will empower you to make a change.

Perfectionism is the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection. Perfectionism is viewed in some cultures and societies as a positive trait and leads someone to success. However, it can lead to self-defeating thoughts and make it extremely difficult to achieve goals. Perfectionism does not only have to do with grades and tests. It can be appearance, in relationships, or at work. 

People with OCD experience upsetting thoughts or images multiple times each day. Most people with OCD know the obsessions do not make sense, and they often find these thoughts disturbing or distressing.  It is important to note that someone with OCD has obsessions that are time consuming and get in the way of everyday life, as this is what makes OCD different from an obsessive personality trait. 

Everyday feels like too much. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel worth getting out of bed. The day drags on without any hope or joy. You experience persistent feelings of sadness. You tell yourself everyone feels this way from time to time, which is true, but the endless feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and fatigue are signs that you may be experiencing depression. You can’t even enjoy the little things that used to give you energy and joy. You might intentionally stay in more often than you used to, isolating yourself from others.

If all of that sounds normal, you may have depression or high functioning depression. Yes, you’re able to go to work or school everyday and function, but these feelings of sadness and sapped energy are preventing you from engaging with life. Depression looks different for everyone and doesn’t come in one shape or size, and that’s why my work with you will be specific to your needs.

Something happened. You thought it was in the past, but it’s clear that this trauma is still with you. It seemed like something you could shrug off, but the truth is traumatic experiences don’t go away that easily. You feel this event affecting your life. It influences how you see the world around you. Certain things trigger you, whether that’s a certain word or phrase, a physical action someone makes, or even a sound or smell. The reality is trauma has altered how your brain works. 

Trauma doesn’t come in one size or fall into neat categories. There are “T” traumas, which include sexual violence, serious injury, and life threatening circumstances such as war. These are traumas that people typically think of when they talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. There are also “t” traumas such as losing a loved one, break ups, and bullying or harassment. These happen more frequently but can be just as detrimental to your mental and physical health. While “T” and “t” are the categories trauma therapists use to classify traumatic experiences, there’s no box that can contain what you experienced. Your trauma is unique to you.