If you frequently feel on edge, easily startled, or unable to truly relax – or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, you feel numb, disconnected, and like you’re just going through the motions – there’s a good chance you may be dealing with some sort of trauma.

And trauma isn’t just confined to the big “T” traumas that often come to mind (surviving wars, natural disasters, physical assaults, or accidents). It also includes what are often referred to as little “t” or complex traumas (such as repeated bullying, emotional neglect, or abuse).

In fact, any experience that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or threatened can be traumatic.

When looked at in this light, it’s safe to say the majority of us have experienced some form of trauma in our lives.

And when you’ve been through something overwhelming, it doesn’t always stay in the past – no matter how hard you try to move on.

You might replay moments in your mind, avoid certain places or situations, feel flooded by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere, catch yourself people-pleasing to avoid conflict, shut down for no apparent reason, or push other people away in an attempt to feel safe.

Whatever the case may be, you don’t really feel like yourself. And you find it next to impossible to explain to someone else why things feel so heavy, or too intense, or why you can’t just “get over it.”

Even if you understand why you react the way you do, you can end up feeling powerless to change.

You start to lose hope, as you continue to feel unsafe, like you’re simultaneously both too much and not enough, and that you should be able to handle all of this differently.

If any of this sounds familiar, I want you to know …

There is hope. You are not broken. You are not alone. And you do not have to keep feeling this way.

With the right support, you can learn to heal old wounds, reduce triggers, and rebuild a sense of self-esteem, self-trust, and internal safety – not by pushing yourself to “move on” or “push through,” but by helping your nervous system finally process and let go of everything it’s been holding on to.

If you’re ready to do the work necessary to put trauma in its proper place the past – I encourage you to contact me today, schedule a free consultation, and discover how trauma counseling and therapy can help you regain a sense of control, heal, and finally move forward again with confidence and optimism.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Am I the Best Trauma Therapist for You?

While trauma counseling can be an incredibly powerful path to healing, no one therapeutic approach works equally well for everyone.

We all come from different backgrounds, see the world in different ways, and take different paths toward healing and growth.

This is why no one behavioral or mental health therapist can possibly be the best trauma therapist for every client.

It’s also why it’s usually best to find a trauma therapist who’s not only trauma-informed, but who can draw on multiple therapeutic approaches and techniques to tailor the work to you – your history, your goals, your pace, and what helps you feel safe and supported.

When it comes to trauma counseling and therapy, I primarily use a combination of EMDR Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy to help clients go beyond simple symptom management and create deep healing and growth.

• EMDR Therapy can help you safely process and release the impact of distressing memories, body sensations, and beliefs that may still be influencing your emotions and behavior today.
• IFS Therapy can help you compassionately explore and connect with the different “parts” of yourself – like the hypervigilant protector, the inner critic, the part that shuts down, or the part that people-pleases to stay safe – so you can move from internal conflict to internal connection, calm, and clarity.

Together, these methods can help you understand why you feel the way you do, and step into a more grounded, confident, and present version of yourself.

This being said, I also practice eclectically (meaning I draw on a wide variety of healing modalities and techniques), including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

But more important than any particular technique is finding a therapist who feels like a good fit for your unique personality and needs.

After all, if you don’t feel safe enough to be open and honest with me, you’ll find it next to impossible to do the deep work necessary to heal and grow.

So how do you know if I’m the best trauma therapist for you?

The only real way to find out is to reach out and schedule a free consultation. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for, and see if working together feels right for you.

What I can tell you is that trauma therapy with me is a collaborative process, and we’ll always move at your pace. You’re in control – every step of the way.

In our work together, you can expect us to:

• Create safety and steadiness first, so you feel supported (and not overwhelmed) as we begin
• Work with the protective patterns that show up when you’re triggered (hypervigilance, shutdown, avoidance, people-pleasing, self-criticism) – not with judgment, but with a deep respect for who you are and the work you’re doing
• Gently process whatever’s still “stuck,” so you can feel more grounded, more whole, and more present in your life

Remember, none of this is about “pushing through” – it’s about slowing down, listening inward, and creating lasting change from the inside out – so you can respond to life in the present, not react from the past.

If nothing you’ve been doing is working, I invite you to reach out today, schedule a free 15-minute initial phone consultation, and learn to put trauma in its proper place – the past – so you can regain a sense of control, reclaim the present, and create a future you truly love living.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Jonathan Mitchelmore, LCSW – Trauma Counseling and Trauma Therapy provided by a PTSD and Trauma Therapist in San Mateo, California