Complex Trauma Therapy for Adults Throughout Michigan
You understand why you struggle, but you still feel stuck. Together, we'll explore how trauma has shaped your nervous system, relationships, identity, and sense of self—and help you reconnect with who you are beneath survival mode.
Complex trauma doesn't always look like dramatic flashbacks or obvious memories.
Often it shows up as constantly monitoring other people's moods, struggling to trust yourself, feeling responsible for everyone around you, difficulty relaxing, perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or feeling disconnected from who you really are.
You may find yourself saying:
"I know where this comes from, but I still can't change it."
"I never feel fully safe."
"I don't know who I am outside of taking care of other people."
"I overthink everything."
"I feel exhausted from constantly adapting."
If this sounds familiar, you're not broken. These patterns often develop as intelligent ways of surviving difficult experiences.
Do You Feel Like You're Always Surviving Instead of Living?
What Is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma develops when painful, overwhelming, or emotionally unsafe experiences happen repeatedly over time.
It can result from childhood neglect, emotional abuse, unpredictable caregiving, religious trauma, chronic criticism, bullying, family dysfunction, or other experiences that taught you it wasn't safe to fully be yourself.
Many people with complex trauma become highly capable adults. They may appear successful, responsible, and resilient while privately struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, emotional exhaustion, relationship difficulties, or a persistent feeling that something is wrong with them.
The effects often live not only in thoughts, but also in the body and nervous system.
A Different Approach to Healing Complex Trauma
Many people seeking therapy for complex trauma have already spent years learning, reading, reflecting, and trying to understand themselves.
Insight matters—but insight alone doesn't always create change.
My approach combines traditional psychotherapy with Internal Family Systems, trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and somatic awareness to support healing at the level of both mind and body.
Together we'll work to:
Understand survival strategies without shame
Build nervous system safety and regulation
Strengthen self-trust
Heal wounds related to identity and belonging
Develop healthier relationships with yourself and others
Reconnect with parts of yourself that have been hidden away in order to survive
Feel more grounded and less overwhelmed
Trust yourself and your decisions
Set boundaries without guilt
Develop healthier relationships
Understand your emotions without being controlled by them
Experience greater self-compassion
Reconnect with your authentic identity
Move beyond survival mode and toward a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling
Through Our Work Together, You Can Begin To:
Questions You May Have
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Complex trauma occurs when difficult, overwhelming, or emotionally unsafe experiences happen repeatedly over time. Rather than being caused by a single event, complex trauma often develops through ongoing experiences such as childhood neglect, emotional abuse, family dysfunction, chronic criticism, bullying, religious trauma, or relationships where it wasn't safe to fully be yourself.
The effects can continue into adulthood, impacting self-esteem, relationships, emotional regulation, and your sense of identity. Many people with complex trauma become highly capable adults while privately struggling with anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, or feeling disconnected from themselves.
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PTSD is often associated with a specific traumatic event, while complex trauma develops through repeated experiences over time.
People with complex trauma may experience symptoms similar to PTSD, but they also often struggle with self-worth, boundaries, trust, relationships, emotional regulation, and a persistent feeling of being "stuck" in survival mode.
Healing from complex trauma often involves not only processing difficult experiences but also rebuilding a deeper sense of safety, connection, and self-trust.
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Absolutely.
Many of my clients have spent years learning about trauma, reading books, listening to podcasts, exploring spirituality, or attending therapy. They often understand why they struggle but continue to experience the same patterns in their daily lives.
Insight is valuable, but healing often requires more than understanding. Therapy can help you develop new experiences of safety, self-compassion, nervous system regulation, and connection that create lasting change beyond intellectual awareness.
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Yes.
I provide online therapy for adults throughout Michigan. Telehealth allows you to access support from the comfort of ywherever you happen to be while maintaining the same level of care and connection as traditional therapy.
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The best way to find out is through a free 15-minute consultation.
During our conversation, you'll have the opportunity to share what you're looking for, ask questions, and get a sense of my approach. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable, understood, and supported, so finding the right fit is important.
If it seems like we're a good match, we'll discuss next steps. If not, I'll do my best to help point you toward other resources that may be helpful.
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When appropriate, yes.
As a therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), I often incorporate mindfulness, nervous system regulation, breath awareness, and body-based practices into therapy. These approaches can help clients move beyond simply understanding their experiences and begin creating change at the level of the nervous system.
Participation is always collaborative, and we will tailor the work to your comfort level and goals. The healing approach is unique to each person.
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Yes.
Many people carry wounds related to harmful religious experiences, spiritual abuse, rigid belief systems, shame, fear, identity conflicts, or the loss of community that can accompany religious deconstruction.
I provide an affirming space to explore these experiences, process their impact, and reconnect with your own values, beliefs, and sense of meaning without judgment.
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Yes.
I work with many adults who identify as ADHD, neurodivergent, or who have spent much of their lives feeling different from those around them.
Together we can explore challenges related to executive functioning, emotional regulation, self-criticism, masking, burnout, relationships, and identity while also recognizing and honoring the unique strengths that often accompany neurodivergence.
Complex trauma is only one area of focus at Take Root Wellness.
I also support adults navigating religious trauma, ADHD, chronic pain, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity concerns, and the effects of spending a lifetime adapting to survive.
If you're unsure where to start, a free consultation can help us determine whether working together feels like a good fit.
Let's See If We're a Good Fit
Healing begins with feeling safe, understood, and supported. A free consultation gives us the opportunity to connect, discuss what you're looking for, and determine whether my approach feels like the right fit for your journey.
Ready to Move Beyond Survival Mode?
You don't have to keep carrying everything on your own.
Healing from complex trauma is not about becoming someone different. It's about reconnecting with who you've always been beneath the fear, self-doubt, people-pleasing, and survival strategies that once helped you get through difficult experiences.
If you're ready to begin, getting started is simple.
1. Book a Free Consultation
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to share what you're looking for, ask questions, and determine whether we're a good fit.
2. Create a Personalized Plan
Together, we'll explore your goals, identify what's keeping you stuck, and develop an approach tailored to your unique needs.
3. Begin Your Healing Journey
We'll work together to help you build self-trust, regulate your nervous system, develop healthier relationships, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that have been waiting to be seen.