CHILDHOOD TRAUMA & ADULT CHILDREN OF DISMISSIVE OR INVALIDATING PARENTS
OFTEN CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, BUT RATHER
WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO.
Do you find yourself saying, "My parents loved me, they just didn't show it the right way" or find yourself making excuses for how you were treated when you when you were younger? Abuse and neglect can be overt like not being provided food, being exposed to drugs, or being sexually abused. However, the absence of these does not equal a happy or healthy childhood.
Growing up in a home without feeling loved, supported, and validated, is a form of neglect.
GROWING UP WITH INVALIDATING OR DISMISSIVE CAREGIVERS
As a developing child, there are many needs for emotional and social well-being. Some include: being soothed/rocked, mirroring (ie: Mom smiling at baby), feeling safe, being understood, given praise/encouragement, and provided with respect, to name just a few.
If you did not receive these as a child you may struggle with validating your own feelings and regulating your emotions, or may experience attachment issues in your relationships.
IT WAS NEVER YOUR FAULT FOR HAVING TO GROW UP WITH A DISMISSIVE PARENT OR FOR THE TRAUMA YOU ENDURED AS A CHILD, AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CARRY THE WEIGHT FROM IT ANYMORE.
How I can Help:
Whether you survived horrific abuse, were bullied or felt like an outcast in school, or grew up in a home lacking warmth and validation, I can help.
I use a combination of EMDR and CBT to resolve the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma, which has been immensely effective for my clients. After, many individuals continue therapy as I assist them in establishing healthy boundaries and learn skills to manage current and future relationships.
EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION & REPROCESSING
