Areas of Specialization | Vida Balance Counseling LLC

Childhood Trauma & First-Generation Identity

I specialize in working with first-generation Millennials and Gen Xers of color who are carrying the lasting impact of childhood trauma — especially when it surfaces in adulthood through:

Relationship challenges
Emotional patterns that feel stuck or overwhelming
A nervous system that’s often on high alert or shut down

Many of my clients grew up having to be the strong one, the caretaker, or the one who kept it all together. Together, we explore how those early survival strategies are still showing up and begin the process of healing them with compassion and care.

To support this work, I use:

EMDR therapy to help process and release trauma stored in the body
Internal Family Systems (IFS) to connect with and care for the parts of you shaped by early experiences
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy to support nervous system regulation and a deeper sense of safety

These modalities allow me to tailor therapy to your unique story, identity, and needs — helping you move toward healing with more clarity, choice, and self-trust.

While my specialty is working with first-generation people of color, I welcome and support individuals from all backgrounds who are looking for a thoughtful, trauma-informed space to heal and grow. My work is grounded in curiosity, cultural humility, and a deep respect for the complexity of your lived experience.

So, what exactly is "trauma"?

Trauma is a response to something overwhelming or deeply distressing — something that felt too much, too fast, or too soon for your mind or body to process at the time.
It’s not just what happened, but how it affected you.
You can experience trauma from a single event (like a car accident) or repeated experiences (like emotional neglect, ongoing stress, or an unsafe home).
What’s traumatic for one person might not be for another — it’s personal.
Two people can go through the same situation and feel very differently about it.
What might seem like “not a big deal” to one person can deeply affect someone else.
Your personal history, support system, and even your personality all shape how you experience things.
There’s no right or wrong way to feel—your reaction is valid.

Feeling numb or disconnected — like you’re going through the motions but not really feeling much
Intense emotions that feel out of proportion — sudden anger, sadness, or fear that catches you off guard
Chronic anxiety or worry — always waiting for something bad to happen
Low self-worth — feeling unlovable, not good enough, or like something is "wrong" with you
Shame and guilt — even when you didn’t do anything wrong
Mood swings — shifting quickly between emotional highs and lows
Difficulty trusting others — or feeling emotionally safe in relationships
Avoiding emotions altogether — distracting, overworking, or staying busy to not feel
Feeling like a younger version of yourself — especially in conflict or when triggered
Hopelessness or despair — feeling stuck, like nothing will ever change

Overthinking and constant self-doubt — second-guessing your decisions or fearing you’ll mess up
Difficulty concentrating — feeling scattered, foggy, or easily distracted
Negative core beliefs — such as “I’m not good enough,” “I’m too much,” or “I don’t matter”
Persistent inner critic — a harsh internal voice that shames, blames, or pressures you
Hyper-awareness of others’ moods — always trying to anticipate reactions to stay safe or avoid conflict
Trouble making decisions — fearing the consequences of getting it “wrong”
Perfectionism or people-pleasing — feeling like you have to earn love or safety
Emotional flashbacks — feeling like a child again when triggered, even if you don’t recall the original event
Mental fatigue or burnout — feeling mentally drained just from daily life
Difficulty trusting your own thoughts or instincts — especially if your feelings were ignored or invalidated growing up

Chronic tension or body pain — tight shoulders, clenched jaw, headaches, or back pain without clear medical cause
Fatigue or low energy — feeling tired all the time, even after resting
Sleep issues — trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares
Digestive problems — stomach aches, nausea, IBS-like symptoms often tied to stress
Increased heart rate or shallow breathing — especially in situations that feel stressful or uncertain
Frequent illnesses — a stressed nervous system can weaken the immune response
Startle response — easily jumpy or on edge, even in safe environments
Appetite changes — emotional eating, loss of appetite, or inconsistent hunger cues
Body numbness or disconnection — feeling disconnected from your body, like you're just “going through the motions”
Somatic flashbacks — sudden physical sensations (like tightness or panic) that come without a clear memory

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. When something really upsetting happens, the brain sometimes doesn’t process it fully, like a file that didn’t save properly. The memory can get “stuck,” causing anxiety, fear, or strong emotional reactions, even long after the event.

In EMDR, a therapist helps you gently revisit parts of that memory while guiding you through side-to-side movements, like moving your eyes back and forth, tapping your hands, or hearing alternating sounds. This helps your brain “reprocess” the memory, so it becomes less distressing.

You don’t erase the memory, but it stops feeling so intense, and you can think about it without being overwhelmed.

A hand watering a brain surrounded by blooming flowers, symbolizing mental growth, healing, and emotional nourishment.

How can EMDR therapy help you?

Reduces emotional distress tied to traumatic or painful memories
Can uncover root causes of current difficulties
Faster results than traditional talk therapy
Non-invasive and drug-free as it doesn't require medication and doesn't require clients to describe traumatic events in detail

Can lower stress-related physical symptoms (like headaches, tension, fatigue)
Builds self-esteem by resolving shame, guilt, and/or negative self-beliefs
Break patterns of emotional reactivity triggered by past experiences
Build confidence and trust in yourself

Additional Specialized Areas

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment Theory
Brief Solution Focused Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Person Centered
Polyvagal Theory

Focus Areas

ADHD
Anxiety
Career Counseling
Depression
Life Transitions
PTSD
Relationship Issues
Self-esteem
Stress
Trauma
Women's Issues

If you’ve been searching for a "therapist near me" this is your sign to reach out!

VidaBalanceCounselingLLC.com

Childhood Trauma & First-Generation Identity

To support this work, I use:

So, what exactly is "trauma"?

What is EMDR therapy?

How can EMDR therapy help you?

Additional Specialized Areas

Specialized Trauma Therapy in Arizona

Childhood Trauma & First-Generation Identity

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To support this work, I use:

So, what exactly is "trauma"?

What is EMDR therapy?

How can EMDR therapy help you?

Additional Specialized Areas

Specialized Trauma Therapy in Arizona