Trauma Assessment and therapy

Do you have unwanted intrusive thoughts? Waves of anxiety? Difficulty making healthy connections with others? These may be signs of trauma or PTSD. 

"Dr. Sarah Van Belle is a wonderful, knowledgeable, and professional clinician that utilizes a variety of techniques in our sessions that promotes my healing and understanding of Complexed PTSD.  Her patience and compassion during this process continues to encourage me to progress on my journey of finding insight and peace." Jennie 

"I feel freer from my trauma from session to session...being able to identify my negative core beliefs has made me more aware of how that affects me in my day-to-day life. Now, with EMDR, those negative core beliefs have gotten quieter and my positive core beliefs have been able to flourish." R.

It’s estimated that more than half of Americans will go through some trauma during their lifetime. Trauma can be a single event, like a car accident, or it can be complex, like enduring ongoing abuse as a child or adult. 

Trauma symptoms are different for everyone. Some may experience numbing or dissociation, while others may be overwhelmed by their emotions and have difficulties with self-regulating. Some people will get Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), experiencing:

• Flashbacks where you remember the traumatic event
• Trouble relating to or connecting with loved ones, friends, and co-workers
• Physical symptoms like headaches, chest pain, or nausea
• Strong emotions, including feelings at what might seem like the “wrong” time (for example, being afraid while you’re at home, or getting extremely angry or sad at work). You might also feel moody, anxious, sad, overwhelmed, or irritated.
• New sensitivity to loud noises, smells, or other things around you
• Trouble sleeping, or the need to sleep a lot
• A change in appetite
• Trouble enjoying things you used to like to do, like spending time with friends or playing sports

Many people do not get PTSD after trauma, however the long term impacts of trauma, especially complex trauma, are significant.  

Adults who have gone through Complex Trauma, especially as a child, may experience: 

• Difficulty developing strong healthy attachments in their relationships
• More chronic physical conditions and problems
• More risky behaviors (e.g., smoking, substance use)
• Eating disorders
• Self-injurious behaviors
• Hypersensitive to sounds, smells, touch or light
• Numbing to sensations; unaware of pain, touch, or internal physical sensations
• Dissociation, feeling disconnected from body and what's happening around them 
• Being easily triggered or “set off” and more likely to react very intensely.
• Shame, guilt, low self-esteem, and a poor self-image 
• Negative core beliefs about themselves (e.g. I am not good enough, I am not loveable) 

I complete a trauma assessment with clients in the beginning of treatment, including a comprehensive evaluation to understand the impact of trauma on the client, their relationships, and their overall functioning. The assessment involves a combination of clinical interviews and standardized measures, to gather information about the nature, timing, and severity of the trauma, the effects of the trauma, and current trauma-related symptoms. 

"Sarah provides an environment filled with knowledge, compassion, wisdom, and safety which has allowed me to move forward with EMDR for trauma & anxiety," C. 

I offer evidence-based therapies to help clients process and heal after trauma, including changing negative core beliefs stemming from complex trauma. I will help you identify your triggers, negative core beliefs, and unhelpful coping skills that may be keeping you stuck in your trauma. I work with clients to develop a treatment plan and set treatment goals. I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as mindfulness in treating trauma.