Are you struggling with anxiety, phobias, OCD, PTSD, or low self-esteem?

Expert Therapy for Healing Childhood Trauma and Its Effects

Many mental health challenges in adults stem from unresolved childhood experiences. Traumatic or overwhelming events or circumstances during your early developmental years can leave a lasting impact, shaping how you feel and behave as an adult.

Traditional or generic therapy often falls short because it doesn’t address the root causes of these issues. Without identifying and resolving these underlying factors, lasting relief can feel out of reach.

But there is a path to freedom and peace.

At my practice, I offer highly skilled, experiential therapy to help you heal deeply and effectively and become your authentic self!

Trauma-focused treatment for:

Anxiety
Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Eating Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma or Developmental trauma
Low Self-Esteem and Insecurities
Inner Critic
Perfectionism
Codependence
Past Personality disorder diagnoses

What if I don’t think I have childhood trauma?

Meet Complex Trauma, also called Developmental Trauma

Understanding Complex Trauma: Causes, Effects, and Healing

What Is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma refers to a type of psychological trauma that arises from prolonged or repetitive exposure to distressing and emotionally painful experiences, often occurring during childhood or formative years. Unlike single-event trauma (one bad thing that happens one time), complex trauma involves ongoing or repeated incidents, typically linked to interpersonal relationships marked by a lack of safety, stability, or emotional support.

Common Causes of Complex Trauma

Complex trauma often originates in childhood due to:

Emotional Neglect: A lack of emotional validation, acceptance, or love from caregivers.
Parental Rejection or Absence: Experiences of rejection, abandonment or unavailability of a primary parental figure. This includes feeling targeted or highly criticized by a caregiver.
Chronic Adversity: Exposure to long-term abuse, neglect, or dysfunctional family dynamics. Some examples of situations that create dysfunctional family dynamics are: alcoholism, substance addiction, behavioral addiction, a parent with an illness or a mental illness, a parent with personality disorder traits such as narcissistic or borderline traits, a parent with rage, a parent that enables the problem behavior of another adult, and domestic violence.

These early experiences can lead to profound psychological effects for children, that persist into adulthood. As much as we may want to, it’s not possible to just “leave it in the past.”

The Development of a False Self

To survive emotionally distressing environments, individuals may create a “false self.” This survival mechanism helps them navigate relationships and seek safety but often leads to a fragmented sense of identity. Over time, the false self can mask the individual’s true emotions and needs, and hinder personal growth and development.

Emotional Neglect and Its Long-Term Effects

One of the hallmarks of complex trauma is internalized shame. Children who experience emotional neglect may come to believe:

Their feelings and needs are unworthy of attention
They are fundamentally flawed or inadequate

These deep-seated beliefs often persist into adulthood, manifesting as low self-esteem, poor self-worth, and difficulty maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.

Healing from Complex Trauma

Recovery from complex trauma involves addressing these emotional wounds and rediscovering the true self. Key components of healing include:

Therapeutic Support: Engaging with highly trained trauma-focused therapists to process and heal emotional pain.
Rebuilding Identity: Understanding and letting go of the false self and embracing one’s authentic identity.
Self-Compassion: Challenging shame-based beliefs and nurturing a sense of self-worth.

By taking these steps, we can overcome the lasting effects of complex trauma and lead more fulfilling lives.

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

Internal Family Systems or Ego-State Therapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Psychodrama

“I had no idea how life changing EMDR would be for me. I am in awe as to how I am positively impacted daily in how I feel, respond and experience life’s moments and life’s challenges.” Female, 59

“I received about three months of EMDR therapy from Taana. The best way to describe the therapy is guided meditation in which Taana allows you to build a safe personal mental space in which to process difficult experiences and feelings within your own life. I had such a positive experience with Taana! I never felt disconnected from the therapy process and I always felt safe and comfortable to share moments and milestones in my own life with Taana.” Female, 28

Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

The process of facing trauma can be daunting, but the rewards—peace, strength, and freedom—make the effort worthwhile. Life is too short to live in the shadow of old wounds and old circumstances.

Break Free from the Past

Trauma acts like an invisible chain, anchoring us to the past. When we confront it, we begin to release ourselves from its grip. This freedom allows us to live in the present instead of being held back by the past.

Build Healthier Relationships

Unprocessed trauma often creates emotional walls or toxic patterns in relationships. By addressing it, you can heal wounds that might otherwise harm your ability to connect with others. You’ll learn to build trust and intimacy and live authentically.

Improve Mental and Physical Health

Trauma can manifest as anxiety, depression, or physical issues like chronic pain. Studies show that processing trauma reduces stress, improves sleep, and enhances overall well-being. Your mind and body deserve the care that healing offers.

Take Back Control

Ignoring trauma gives it power over your life—your decisions, behaviors, and reactions. Confronting it helps you reclaim control and develop resilience, turning pain into strength.

Discover Your True Potential

Trauma often distorts how we see ourselves, and creates feelings of shame or inadequacy. Healing helps you discover your self-worth, gives you confidence to pursue goals and dreams that once felt out of reach.

Create a Ripple Effect

Healing isn’t just for you—it benefits everyone around you. When you address your trauma, you set an example for loved ones and create a healthier environment for your family, friends, and community.

How to Start the Journey:

Experiential therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy, targeting the root causes of trauma stored in your body and mind. This evidence-based approach helps unlock deep healing and long-term relief from persistent emotional pain.

Acknowledge the Need for Healing:

Recognizing the impact of trauma in your life is the first step toward change.

Seek Professional Help:

An experienced, licensed therapist who is highly trained and has successfully done their own trauma work is most qualified to help you.

Begin to Practice Self-Compassion:

The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. Learning the skills to love and accept yourself is priceless!

Use Healthy Outlets:

Journaling, art, or exercise can help you begin to release pent-up emotions. Therapy is a healthy outlet to learn to listen to your feelings and needs.

Start your healing today—you’re worth it!

“I have known and worked with Taana as both her supervisor and a colleague since 2015. She continually amazes me with insight, empathy, and compassion for all those she works with. Her vast range of experience in many different environments of care sets her apart from other clinicians by giving her a perspective that is unique and comprehensive. I am also always struck by Taana’s desire to continue to learn and grow as a clinician and that knowledge combined with her innate instincts make her one of the most talented clinicians that I have every worked with. I would not hesitate to refer the people I care most about in the world to her for care and treatment.” Sonia, colleague

“EMDR therapy with Taana was a critical step in my journey. I struggled with complex childhood trauma causing me to carry grief, shame, and pain throughout my adult life. After six months with Taana I feel lighter. The anxiety and depression that had once consumed me has quieted, and I look forward to what each day brings!” Male, 32

I am an independently licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of practice experience. I have worked with thousands of people, with a wide range of mental health concerns, across all the levels of care (Inpatient, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient). I have been a program director at 3 different mental health treatment centers, in addition to providing therapy. I opened my own practice in 2021, because what I love best is doing trauma work directly with clients.

Direct Access to Expertise:

At my practice, you will work directly with me, not an intern or a new graduate I am supervising.

Proven Experience:

Thousands of success stories from my extensive career.

Cutting-Edge Training:

I invest heavily in ongoing education and advanced training to deliver the best treatment options available.

Taana Abbitt, Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker

With over 23 years of dedicated practice, I specialize in helping individuals heal from childhood trauma.

My approach is rooted in extensive training and experience, and in experiential therapy, a powerful and evidence-based method that allows clients to process emotions, reconnect with their inner selves, create a healthy relationship with themselves, and achieve lasting relief and change. I’ve worked with countless individuals, tailoring my techniques to each unique journey, ensuring that healing is not just possible but transformative.

I’m not just a therapist; I’m a highly qualified guide through the complexities of trauma, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly understood. My extensive training and decades of experience equip me to understand and address even the most deeply rooted challenges, empowering clients to reclaim their lives and thrive.

Not only have I extensively trained with world-famous experts in the field of trauma, I have participated in 12 years of therapy myself. I have done the work that I now facilitate for my clients, which gives me authenticity and tremendous insight of not only the problem, but the ways forward. Clearing my own trauma out of the way allows me to focus on you and your needs.

I am authentic, genuine, and transparent with clients

I practice congruence, which is another word for authenticity, and means that the therapist’s internal and external experiences are the same, and the therapist does not put on a facade or mask to clients. I am grounded and real, and I have done this work myself.

It’s a model for clients to encourage them to be authentic and express their thoughts and feelings.

I practice client-centered therapy

Client-centered therapy aims to help people strengthen personal authority over their own healing by promoting self-actualization and creating a safe and accepting space.

The goal of client-centered therapy is for the person to grow in self-actualization, and to learn to speak up about their feelings and needs.

I am highly trained in evidence-based tools to work on your goals at your own pace.