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PROVIDING BRAINSPOTTING & EMDR THERAPY FOR TRAUMA AND COUNSELING FOR WOMEN IN NASHVILLE AND VIRTUALLY THROUGHOUT TENNESSEE, IDAHO, AND CALIFORNIA.

It’s time to shatter stigmas and remove the masks of trauma-related depression.

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The emotional and physical distress of trauma-related depression can be complex and intense.

Depression symptoms can hurt. Like, physically hurt. Sadness is most often associated with depression, but it actually plays a smaller role in depression than you may think. You may be feeling SO. MUCH. MORE. than just sadness.

Trauma is stored as implicit memories. We don’t always have a story for what happened, but we feel it in our bodies.

You may be experiencing fatigue and low energy. Your appetite may change often and your moods may be all over the place. Other symptoms you may be feeling are loss of interest in things you used to love to do, as well as finding yourself isolating socially. Overwhelm, negative self-talk, crying spells, sleep issues, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and finding it hard to make decisions are all also things you may be experiencing as a result of your past. Depression is about your nervous system not being able to reconcile what’s happened to you.

Feeling this way is not allowing you to live the life you were born for. Feeling this way can result in sensing you’re falling short in parenting, misunderstandings and conflict in your close relationships, and finding it hard to connect emotionally to your kids or friends. Your sense of self takes a hit, your work performance takes a hit, and your physical health takes a hit.

Kick the facade to the curb for good.

Imagine how your life would be without thinking you’re consistently failing others or less than those around you. You can feel the confidence that comes with not pretending to be someone else but loving and honoring who you really are. Depression keeps us from these things and realizing your life and peace are bigger than what’s happened to you is a gift you can give yourself today.

I use a variety of therapeutic approaches and match your needs with the most effective methods. Drawing from my education, formal training, clinical work, and life experiences, I turn primarily to Brainspotting (Certified), as well as EMDR; Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, TF-CBT; Trauma focused cognititve behavioral therapy, Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath with Biofeedback, EFT; Emotionally focused therapy, CBT; Cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT; Acceptance and commitment therapy, and Mindfulness therapy.

Therapy for healing trauma-informed depression can help you

Cut through any shame and/or guilt you are carrying
Increase emotional resilience
Enhance self awareness
Reduce self-critical tendencies
Improve interpersonal relationships

More positive parent-child interactions

Improve work/life alignment
Enhance ability to confidently make decisions
Re Engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment
And more!

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Depression FAQs

It starts with understanding your trauma and how your brain and body have responded to that adversity. The effects of trauma can present in many, many different ways and it can look and feel like anxiety, depression, or any myriad of physical and emotional issues. But, if you have symptoms within the realm of these things and you have had traumatic experiences, there is very likely a correlation and the therapy approach I take will reflect that correlation.
Empathy and compassion, connection, trust, and safety for my clients are my core values as a clinician (see my About Susan page). Working at your pace and with your full autonomy in the therapy process is also essential for me. Our work is also not about re-traumatization of the difficulties you’ve endured. It's about focusing on the emotions associated with the trauma and allowing your nervous system to properly process that built up emotional energy.
Every human’s healing will look and feel different as no two individuals are completely alike, but you may notice negative thoughts will be more easily reframed, you may realize you are putting yourself first more often, you may find yourself not caring what others think as much, you will be able to establish and hold boundaries with ease, and you may find yourself slowing reactions within your relationships to give room for more listening, understanding, and effective conversations.

Brainspotting for Trauma-
Related Depression

Brainspotting is an advanced brain-body therapy that focuses on identifying, processing, and releasing imbalances, trauma, and residual emotional stress.

It is based on the premise that ‘where you look affects how you feel’ and finds that eye positions correlate with unconscious, emotional experiences. It reaches parts of the brain that are not generally accessed through traditional talk therapy approaches. Click below to learn more about this innovative and effective approach to trauma healing.