I am Curtis, a trauma therapist who has specialized with complex and childhood trauma for over a decade, working with both adults and teens who have struggled with C-PTSD. I integrate various trauma-focused treatments such as EMDR therapy and somatic therapy.

Until I had my own complex and childhood trauma therapy, I used to try to "outthink" my traumatic stressors, which obviously did not work. Many trauma survivors are highly intelligent. Our intelligence served as a protective factor during our childhood and/or adulthood from the people who were supposed to love us, but instead caused us immense pain and suffering. I had to learn how to feel safe enough to connect to my emotions and somatic sensations within a safe, therapeutic relationship without using my cognitive intelligence to disconnect, so I could finally release and process the unresolved traumas from my past. Complex trauma happens in relationships, so the healing must happen within relationships. Time alone does not heal trauma.

I can share all the research about the positive outcomes of EMDR and somatic therapy, and the successes I have observed from former clients. More importantly, however, I have lived the experience of struggling with complex trauma and then thriving, once I became more connected to my emotions and body. Disconnection from our bodies and feelings is common for trauma survivors. Helping my clients heal is not just a job for me or a thought experiment. I know what it was like being on the other side of the couch (or the computer screen) as a client. I firmly believe I am not the expert of any of my clients' lives, but I will support and challenge you. I hope you take the chance of trying therapy (or trying it again), whether that be with another therapist or with me.

To share a little bit more about me, I love playing tennis in competitive leagues. If you decide to become a client and work with me, do not be surprised if I explain trauma with many tennis analogies.