Trauma Therapy with Julia Bourcier, LPC
Julia Bourcier, LPCSh*t happens. I don’t love that about life, but it’s just how it be sometimes. Many of us have lived through experiences that we look back on and wonder, “How did I ever make it through that?” We might even judge ourselves for how we survived. Or wind up feeling that we are permanently screwed up as a result of a situation we had no control over.
Often after a terrible life experience we find ourselves coping in whatever way we can and a lot of us don’t take time to heal. Which is understandable because trauma never comes along at a “good time” when we can just sit back and take care of ourselves through the process.
Unfortunately, “surviving” isn’t really living. It’s something we can do for a while, but eventually we crash; whether that’s mentally, emotionally, or physically. Don’t get me wrong. I am a survivor. I have tremendous respect for survivors. I also believe we all deserve more out of life than simply “surviving.”
One of the worst things about trauma is that it leaves us questioning whether it was all our fault. “Maybe if I hadn’t…. Then that wouldn’t… and none of this would have happened.” The reality is often far different, but our brain seeks some form of control over our life after we’ve felt utterly helpless in the wake of trauma.
If you have some stuff from the past you feel is affecting your choices, relationships, parenting, ability to cope with stress, or just your potential to live life well, talking about it in a safe, accepting environment really can help. My approach is to work with you to develop a relationship built on mutual respect. I won’t demand trust because you may have learned that people in your life couldn’t be trusted, no matter how safe they seemed at first. My goal is to help you learn to trust yourself again, to live again, and to discover that you are so much more than whatever has happened to you.
I have almost 10 years experience as a counselor working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Even before that, I taught people whose trauma affected their bodies how to ride horses for therapy. I will work with you on your own goals so you have an opportunity to rediscover yourself, trust yourself, build your confidence, and develop resilience in the face of adversity. Ideally our collaboration leads to a greater sense of belonging and empowerment despite or even through situations that have left you feeling powerless.