Your Questions, Answered

Blue Tansy Therapy FAQS

  • I help complex trauma survivors overcome symptoms and find peace. My practice has a special focus on spiritual or religious trauma.

  • $150/session

  • I am in-network with United Healthcare and Aetna.

Trauma FAQs

  • Trauma refers to the psychological experience of a life event. What is non-traumatic for one person may be traumatic for another. Common signs of trauma include anxiety, difficulty managing relationships, and sleep disturbance. We can work together to assess for trauma.

  • It depends on your goals and history. Many people can begin noticing changes after just a few sessions. Some people prefer long-term support. I like to keep an ongoing dialogue with my clients about goals and therapy graduation.

  • Which therapy is best depends on your unique needs and preferences. My trauma treatment in the Bay Area focuses on attachment perspectives to healing. I also use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This is an evidence-based treatment for trauma. Finally, I will also help you learn mindfulness-based coping skills for anxiety symptoms.

  • Most therapist training programs include some education about treating trauma. Trauma therapists typically have real-life experience working with this population. Additionally, many trauma therapists have advanced training in this area. Trauma symptoms can sometimes manifest in unexpected ways. Trauma therapists may be better equipped to recognize these and help you heal.

  • Complex trauma develops in response to repeated instances of a stressful experience. Examples include abuse, neglect, bullying, or even invalidation. This is in contrast to single-incident trauma, such as a car crash or an earthquake. Complex trauma is a syndrome recognized by many therapists but is not an official diagnosis. Many people with complex trauma begin therapy for symptoms of anxiety or depression. While in therapy, they may realize that trauma is at the root of these symptoms. Complex trauma typically takes longer to recover from, but healing is possible.

EMDR FAQs

  • EMDR was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also help people who have disturbing memories or anxiety. In fact, EMDR treats a host of mental health concerns, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and addictions.

  • EMDR is a structured approach to therapy where we move through several stages and steps. Talk therapy for trauma is more open-ended. Oftentimes, I combine elements of both in my work. For example, a healthy therapeutic relationship is critical for EMDR to be effective.

  • If an insurance plan covers outpatient psychotherapy, EMDR is covered is as well. I am currently in network with United Healthcare and Aetna. I help potential clients understand their benefits at the outset of therapy, including any potential costs such as copays.

  • People currently engaged in risky coping skills may need to engage in an extended resourcing process. This is because EMDR can be triggering, and safety is important. Examples of risky coping skills include substance abuse and self-harm. Resourcing will help develop healthier coping skills.

    Similarly, people with high levels of dissociation may need extra support at the beginning of therapy. Dissociation is a common trauma symptom where a person feels separate from their body or the world around them. At the beginning of therapy, we will complete an assessment to determine if this is something you might be struggling with.

    EMDR can be adapted to accommodate a wide range of physical limitations. For example, blind people might engage in bilateral tapping instead of back-and-forth eye movements.

  • EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for trauma. Many research studies have found that it helps reduce symptoms of PTSD.

    Although we know EMDR works, we currently don’t know how EMDR works. Several hypotheses exist. For example, bilateral stimulation may mimic the eye movements that happen during REM sleep. REM sleep is when our memories are consolidated. Therefore, it’s possible bilateral stimulation in therapy helps consolidate memories as well.

  • When we begin our work together, we’ll identify your goals and which treatments will help you meet them. Many of my clients engage in both trauma therapy and EMDR.

  • Yes. EMDR has wide research support for treating PTSD and anxiety. Many clients appreciate they can find this relief without talking through every detail of their trauma history.

Religious Trauma FAQs

  • Signs of religious trauma show up in many areas. Emotional signs of religious trauma include anxiety, depression, grief, and loneliness. Another emotional sign is loss of identity. Cognitive signs include rigid thinking and perfectionism. You may also struggle with negative views of yourself. Social signs include difficulty forming relationships, including friendships and romantic relationships.

  • Religious trauma can take away sense of self- or prevent it from developing in the first place. Without a sense of self, it’s difficult to make independent decisions. Or even know what you like or don’t like. Religious trauma can make it difficult to embrace parts of yourself- such as an LGBTQ+ identity.

  • No, I do not view religion as bad. In therapy, I don’t impose any viewpoints or values on you. My goal is not to “convert” you to any religion. Similarly, I don’t aim to persuade you to leave a religion or become an atheist. I provide a safe space to help you identify your own viewpoints and values.


  • Yes! You may be questioning your religion or the impact it is having on you. You don’t have to leave it to get support. You can rest assured that I will not try to convince you to leave your religion. What I will do is help you process your emotions and clarify your needs.

     

  • It certainly can be! EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a treatment for PTSD. Many people find it is a helpful component to their recovery. EMDR provides a structured way to process traumatic experiences. It helps reduce symptoms like hypervigilance and flashbacks.