New to Grow
As a trauma-trained therapist, I specialize in the treatment of trauma from a developmental and nervous system lens, crafted to meet a client’s unique needs. My name is Savannah Kraus, and I am a multi-cultural, Mexican-American, Marriage and Family Therapist. Integration is a core value of my therapeutic approach, and I enjoy blending aspects of somatic therapy, Polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems “parts” work, and Brainspotting. I've been honored to walk alongside clients in healing from trauma and have learned that patience, curiosity, compassion, autonomy, and intuition are the cornerstone of trauma focused therapy. Following and inviting clients to reconnect with the intuitive process of their healing is my passion.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
It can feel overwhelming to start seeing a new therapist. My first session is oriented towards getting to know you, establishing a therapeutic relationship, and learning more about your goals for our time together. I take a very person-centered approach, allowing clients to lead the conversation, going as deep as they feel comfortable.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My Brainspotting certification, as well as my experience across higher level of care facilities (residential, PHP, IOP programs), and specialized experience working with co-occuring mental health disorders (such as substance use disorders and Complex-PTSD), has given me the confidence to work with clients who need specialized care.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Are you grappling with complex trauma or C-PTSD? Have you experienced multiple adverse life events, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, or disconnection? Do you feel your nervous system is stuck in a freeze state? or suffer from chronic illness/pain? Are you wanting to improve your mental health, heal your trauma, and no longer be held down by the long-lasting and impairing effects of post traumatic-stress? As a trauma-trained therapist, I specialize in the treatment of trauma from a developmental and nervous system lens, crafted to meet a client’s unique needs. Patience, curiosity, compassion, autonomy, and intuition are the cornerstone of trauma focused therapy. Inviting clients to reconnect with the intuitive process of their healing is my passion.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a therapy that identifies specific eye positions (brainspots) linked to unprocessed trauma and emotional distress, allowing the brain to access and release these stored issues from the subcortical level (deeper brain) by using focused gaze and the principle that "where you look affects how you feel." I am certified in Brainspotting and have been utilizing it since my Phase 1 training in May of 2025.
Psychodynamic
Our past matters, which is why I approach mental health issues through a psychodynamic approach. Resolving our past can greatly impact how we feel and behave in the present, improving our mental health and relationships.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
All parts are welcome in my therapy office. IFS, or Internal Family Systems, is a psychotherapy model that views the mind as naturally multiple, made up of various "parts" (like an inner critic or child) all centered around a core "Self" that is calm, compassionate, and wise. It's a non-pathologizing approach that helps individuals heal by developing a relationship with these inner parts, understanding their roles, and allowing the core Self to lead, resolving internal conflicts and fostering wholeness, often used for trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Attachment-based
Attachment-Based Therapy uses John Bowlby's attachment theory to help people understand how early childhood bonds with caregivers shape adult relationships, focusing on healing "attachment wounds" to foster secure connections, improve emotional regulation, and build healthier patterns in present relationships, often by rebuilding trust and communication within family or couple contexts. It aims to move individuals from insecure styles (anxious, avoidant, disorganized) toward secure attachment, creating a foundation for better self-esteem and intimacy.
Polyvagal Therapy
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) creates three distinct states—calm/social (Ventral Vagal), fight/flight (Sympathetic), and freeze/shut-down (Dorsal Vagal)—to respond to perceived safety or threat, highlighting the vagus nerve's role in our physical and emotional health, social connection, and trauma recovery. It's a framework for understanding why we react to situations (often unconsciously) and how reconnecting with our bodies and others can foster regulation and healing.