Mental Health Specialties
Trauma
“Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening, and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
— Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Trauma looks different for everyone.
It isn’t defined only by what happened, but by how the experience lives in your body, mind, and emotions.
What feels manageable for one person may feel overwhelming for another—and both responses are valid.
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
— Peter Levine, PhD, Trauma Specialist
Traumatic experiences can leave lasting marks—sometimes in ways we don’t even recognize right away.
What feels manageable for one person may feel overwhelming and life-changing for another.
And while not every painful experience meets the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), that doesn’t make it any less real or significant.
Your Experience Matters —
If it felt traumatic to you, it matters.
Healing begins with understanding and support, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Are You Experiencing Trauma?
Common Signs and Symptoms to Look For —
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Cognitive & Emotional Signs
Intrusive thoughts, distressing memories, or flashbacks of the traumatic event
Nightmares or upsetting dreams related to the trauma
Intense emotional reactions to internal or external reminders (sights, sounds, smells, dates, etc.)
Persistent negative beliefs about yourself (e.g., "I'm broken" or "It's my fault")
Pervasive sense of hopelessness or a negative outlook on the world
Difficulty concentrating or frequent forgetfulness
Heightened irritability, frustration, or sudden anger
Overwhelming guilt or shame, even when not logically justified
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Behavioral & Physical Responses
Avoidance of people, places, conversations, or situations that remind you of the trauma
Withdrawal from relationships, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Hypervigilance — constantly feeling "on edge" or easily startled
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, trouble falling or staying asleep, or restless sleep
Detachment or numbness — feeling disconnected from others or from your own emotions
Increased use of substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.) to cope with emotions or memories
Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues, often without clear cause
Understanding the Different Forms of Trauma —
Trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can take many forms and affect people in different ways. Some experiences are sudden and intense, while others build over time. Together, through individualized therapy, we’ll work to understand the trauma you’ve faced and guide you toward healing with the support that fits your needs.
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From a single overwhelming event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or sudden loss.
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From repeated or ongoing stressful experiences, like bullying, neglect, or abusive relationships.
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From exposure to multiple or long-term traumatic events, often beginning in childhood.
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From disruptions in trust or safety within important relationships (e.g., childhood neglect, betrayal, abandonment).
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From serious illness, invasive medical procedures, or unexpected health crises.
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From witnessing or hearing about others’ traumatic experiences (common in caregivers, helpers, and first responders).
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From the death of a loved one, miscarriage, or other major loss that overwhelms a sense of safety and stability.
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From pain affecting groups of people in a community or family system such as that passed down from generations or from issues such as racism, war, oppression, violence and more.
Support Services
How We Help Heal Trauma—
A “Trauma-Informed” Approach —Apis Mental Health & Grief Counseling’s licensed mental health therapist, Jennifer Apley (“Jen”), recognizes the significant impact trauma can have on a person’s life. Because of this, she uses a trauma-informed lens in all her work.
Using a trauma-informed lens means that Jen assumes every client may have faced something traumatic at some point in their life. Sometimes these experiences are obvious, and other times they show up in more subtle ways, like stress, anxiety, or feeling disconnected.
Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?” Dr. Bruce Perry reminds us that a trauma-informed approach asks “What happened to you?” This shift allows space for compassion, safety, and healing.
Informed by Experts — Jen’s trauma work is guided by leading experts, including:
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. — Author of The Body Keeps the Score
Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. — Co-author of What Happened to You? and The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
Frank Anderson, M.D. — Leading Internal Family Systems (IFS) Trauma Trainer
What to Expect: A Client-Centered Approach—
Care and respect: You’ll be met with care and respect, never judgment.
Your pace matters: Healing can happen gently, at each person’s own pace, and in their own way.
Guided by you: Sessions follow what feels right for the individual, and nothing is shared unless or until they are ready. Your pace, choices, and boundaries are honored in every session.
Working with all parts of yourself: Using an Internal Family Systems approach, Jen helps you explore different parts of the self—especially the ones that have worked hard to protect you—so you can better understand your inner world with kindness and compassion.
Safety, trust, and empowerment: Our work together centers on creating safety, trust, and empowerment. We’ll work to reconnect you with your body, your emotions, and your inner resources in ways that support regulation and resilience.
Support and connection: Clients are not alone in the process; together with Jen, they create space for healing that honors your strength and story.