relationship & attachment trauma therapy In greenville, sc
healthy, fulfilling relationships are possible - let’s make it happen.
Trauma in relationships doesn’t always come from one obvious moment.
sometimes it’s the sum of an entire relationship you realize you stayed in for too long, and with hindsight, you see too many issues to count. it could be that your parents or family aren’t as supportive and understanding as you thought they were. maybe you remembered some messed up lessons you were taught through childhood that are now causing problems in your daily life, relationships, and self-esteem.
A lot of adults I work with worry they’re overthinking, overreacting, or “making a big deal out of nothing,” even though something in them knows it wasn’t nothing.
You replay conversations in your head — what was said, how it was said, what you should have said — and have a hard time letting them go.
A specific conversation, sentence, word, or look has stuck with you, even if you can’t fully explain why.
You feel on edge or alert in situations that don’t seem to call for it, and you’re not sure how to turn that off.
You find yourself constantly checking your reactions, wondering if you’re overthinking, misreading things, or being “too sensitive.”
Your body reacts before your mind can catch up — tightening, bracing, shutting down — even when you know you’re safe now.
From the outside, it might look like you’re handling things, while inside it feels anything but settled.
you always felt like your parents or caregivers weren’t like your friends’, and left you feeling alone, unseen, and misunderstood.
this might sound familiar —
support here is about helping you feel less chaotic inside — less looping thoughts and replaying memories, less bracing for catastrophes that are unlikely to ever happen, and more trust in your body and mind.
the goal is not to stop reacting entirely or to “fix” anything about you. it’s to help you feel less overwhelmed, more grounded in yourself, and more able to manage your internal world with some ease.
We focus on the moments that actually show up day to day — when things spike, you tense up, shut down, or check out entirely — and get curious about what your reactions are trying to protect you from.
over time, the moments that used to take over won’t feel so intense or consuming, giving you more time and choice to respond that feels more like you — calm, self-assured, and in control.
what support can look like here
how we might work together
whether these patterns began early in life or developed through later relationships, we start with how connection has felt for you — not with advice about what you “should” do. many people i work with learned to adapt in order to stay close to others, so we gently explore how those patterns formed, what they protected, and how they’re showing up now.
our work moves at a steady, respectful pace. some days we talk through attachment patterns and relationship dynamics. other days we slow down and notice how your body responds to closeness or conflict — the pull to pursue, the urge to withdraw, the bracing or numbness. over time, this creates more flexibility, so old patterns aren’t running the show and your needs have more room in your relationships.
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what that can look like in practice —
talking about anything — from everyday stuff that’s been getting under your skin (yes, even “why did that tiny thing bother me so much?” moments) to bigger experiences that still feel heavy or unresolved.
EMDR and/or brainspotting — techniques that helps us process difficult stuff (past, present, or future worries) without having to explicitly talk through each detail and relive it again. it’s not magic, but it’s close.
nervous system focused work — tl;dr: we identify your body’s responses. we’ll notice your breathing, heart rate, and any areas of tension, and work to bring softness, curiosity, and understanding for your physical being. with practice, your body will feel safer and calmer, especially when stress, anxiety, or overwhelm strike again.
parts-focused work — to help you understand different sides of you — like the part that’s always on high alert, or the part that tells you to dissociate even when things seem fine. understanding and getting curious about these parts can play a big role in reducing shame and distress, and will build your self-awareness to new levels (win-win!).
if any of this feels like it fits …
you’re already in the right place. you don’t have to be certain or have everything figured out before reaching out. Many people start here feeling unsure, tired, or simply wanting things to feel different than they do right now.
If you’re ready, we can start with a quick conversation. You can ask me any questions you have, get a sense of how I work, and decide whether this feels like a good fit — all with zero pressure to commit. let’s start where you are.