Trauma in all its forms, physical, sexual, emotional, and due to neglect, can have a lasting impact on the way people see and behave in the world.  People who are abused often carry a heavy burden of shame and secrets that can be debilitating and overwhelming.  It may be difficult to trust others, to be alone, to have positive sexual relationships, to do certain activities or to talk about the traumatic experience with others.  When people who have experienced trauma first start therapy, it can be common to hear the questions “what’s wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this?” Even though trauma survivors are never are to blame for abuse, the process of believing it is not their fault is easier said than done.  I work with trauma survivors to help change the way they feel about themselves by processing shame, rediscovering a sense of power and safety and rewriting their life narratives.