Like you, my clients have been through agonizing stuff that happens in movies like: -Being raped by their own parents, having it swept under the rug, and being labeled the black sheep of the family; -Being treated like crap, bullied by their family, and left to fend for themselves; -Being cheated on and learning years later the child they've raised isn't theirs; -Witnessing the suicide, homicide, or brutal abuse of their loved ones while hiding and holding their breath under the bed or in the closet; and -Being denied opportunities and otherwise mistreated because of their racial or sexual identity. Experiencing emotional injuries like these can leave you with a deeply felt sense of I am not safe, I do not matter, and I am not good enough. You can know logically that these things aren't true; yet, your body still feels them. When things occur that trigger and reinforce these thoughts, you might find your heart pounding, hands sweating, or legs trembling. You might even have trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel like you're going to puke. You may constantly feel like you and your kids are unsafe and may take extra precautions, some of which others think are overkill. As a result, you might react in any number of ways such as: -Spazzing out to keep yourself safe; -Withdrawing from others and the things you enjoy because no one gets you and it feels safer that way; -Minimizing your needs and not speaking up so that others are pleased with you and keep you around; or -Working excessively and tiring yourself completely out to prove you're worthy and you belong. These responses were learned as a means of keeping you safe, whether physically or emotionally. And they served their purpose. Now, it's time for you to heal and learn new skills to live your best life! My clients often come to me at their wits' end. Listen, I've been there and I get it! After working with me, like them, you will learn how to center your needs, connect with your loved ones in a healthy way, and show up in the world authentically and unapologetically, without the need to code switch. If you're ready to get off that hamster wheel of people-pleasing, perfecting, and performing, book your appointment today!

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first couple sessions will focus on me understanding your symptoms and how the impact your daily life and developing your treatment plan. In phase two of therapy, we will focus on developing internal resources to help you manage your symptoms when you are triggered. There will be some homework to help you use your new resources outside of the therapy session. In phase 3, we will reprocess the traumatic experiences and how they are currently held in your brain and body. We will also prepare for how you want to show up in the future. Finally, you will graduate from therapy!

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I'm really good at helping you dig deep beneath your presenting symptoms to discover the root cause(s) of your trauma. Then, we reprocess how the beliefs about yourself, others, and the world are currently held so that you can live your life more congruently with your values.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

-Individuals with a history of traumatic and/or adverse experiences. -Individuals with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, aggression/volatility, numbing, and hypervigilance.

About Natalie Milom