Reclaiming Your Story & Body After Trauma
Specialized therapy for PTSD and C-PTSD integrating Narrative and Somatic approaches. We help you separate your identity from the trauma, regulate your nervous system, and rewrite a life of resilience.
Trauma Lives in Both Your Story and Your Body. Let’s Heal Both.
Trauma isn't just a memory you can "talk away."
It lives in your body as a state of constant alert, and it takes over your life story as a narrative of fear or shame. If you try to fix the story without addressing the body, you might feel stuck. If you focus only on the body without making meaning of what happened, the pain can remain confusing.
At Pacific Pines Counseling, we use an integrated approach that honors both aspects of your experience:
We use Somatic (Body-Centered) techniques to help your nervous system learn it is safe enough to relax, moving you out of "fight/flight/freeze" and into a state where healing can happen.
We use Narrative Therapy to help you separate who you are from the trauma that happened to you, allowing you to re-author your life story from one of survival to one of resilience.
We don't promise a "safe space" where nothing hurts. Healing is hard work. What we offer is predictability, control, and a partner who knows how to help you navigate the difficult terrain of trauma without getting lost in it.
Regulating the Body,
Re-Authoring the Story
This integrated model ensures that as we do deep emotional work, your body has the tools to stay grounded. We move at your pace, prioritizing stability before processing.
Somatic Regulation
(The Foundation)
Before we can change the story, we must calm the alarm system. We use somatic techniques to help you recognize and manage physical symptoms of trauma (tension, numbness, panic). This isn't about "relaxing"; it's about reclaiming agency over your own physiology so you don't feel hijacked by your reactions.
Narrative Therapy
(The Meaning)
Once your nervous system is more regulated, we turn to the story. We help you externalize the problem—seeing that you are not "broken," but rather someone carrying a heavy burden. Together, we hunt for "unique outcomes": moments where you resisted the trauma's influence, held onto hope, or made choices that aligned with your values.
Trauma-Informed Pacing
You are in control. We never rush to process a memory before your body feels ready. If you feel overwhelmed, we pause immediately to use somatic tools to stabilize.
Re-Authoring
We weave these unique outcomes into a new narrative. Instead of "I am a victim," the story becomes "I am someone who survived and is now rebuilding." This shifts your identity from passive to active.
Specialized Support for Complex Wounds
This path is designed for you if:
You feel defined by your past experiences, struggling with a story that says "I am damaged" or "I can't trust anyone."
Your body feels like it's always on high alert (hyper-vigilance), or conversely, you feel numb and disconnected.
You have tried traditional talk therapy but felt like we were just "re-telling the same story" without finding a way out.
You are dealing with C-PTSD and struggle with deep shame, a fragmented sense of self, or difficulty regulating emotions after chronic adversity.
You want to reclaim your identity from the labels of "survivor" or "victim."
Common Trauma Histories We Address
Pacific Pines Counseling works with the following experiences:
Acute Trauma: Care accidents, natural disasters, physical assault, or sudden loss where the story feels “stuck”
Complex & Developmental Trauma: Childhood abuse, neglect, growing up in high-conflict homes, or living in a high-control environment (including toxic workplaces)
Systemic & Identity-Based Trauma: Racism, discrimination, and the specific trauma experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals who navigate hostile environments
First Responder & Military Trauma: The cumulative weight of exposure to violence and life-or-death decisions that can distort one’s worldview.
Your Partner in Carrying the Weight, in Body & in Story
Healing from trauma requires a therapist who understands that your story is sacred, but also one who knows how to help you find the courage to rewrite it while keeping your nervous system regulated. My practice is deeply rooted in Narrative Therapy and Somatic Experiencing.
I know that for many survivors, "trust" is the hardest part of therapy. You may have been betrayed by those you relied on most. That's why my approach is rooted in collaboration and transparency. I don't tell you what happened or how to feel; we explore together how the trauma has shaped your story and where your own voice might be waiting to take the lead again.
I am committed to holding space for your pain without flinching, while simultaneously helping you see the strength that has kept you going all along. If you are tired of letting your past define your future, let's work together to write a new ending—one where you are the author, and the story is yours.
Ready to Reclaim Your Story & Your Body?
You don't have to let trauma dictate the rest of your life. With the right support, it is possible to separate yourself from the pain, reclaim your identity, and move forward with a sense of purpose and agency that feels real and lasting.
We serve clients in Tacoma, Bellevue, Gig Harbor, Bellingham, Olympia, and throughout Washington State (virtual options available).