Compassionate Trauma Therapy in Tallahassee

Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that overwhelm your ability to cope. It can come from experiences like abuse, accidents, loss, or other situations that made you feel powerless or unsafe. You might notice signs like intrusive memories, nightmares, anxiety, or emotional numbness. Maybe you avoid certain places, people, or topics that remind you of the distressing event. You might feel constantly on edge, easily startled, or disconnected from yourself or others. Physical symptoms like fatigue, tension, or trouble sleeping can also show up. Trauma affects everyone differently. If your emotional or physical responses feel intense, confusing, or out of sync with what's happening now, it might be worth exploring those experiences with a mental health professional at Gulf Wind Counseling in Tallahassee or Apalachicola.  

EMDR Therapy

​Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Our brains have a natural system for processing information and sometimes experiences overwhelm that system, become a dysfunctionally stored memory, and show up as triggers during everyday life. EMDR involves recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds. This process helps the brain reprocess traumatic information, reducing its emotional intensity and enabling more adaptive coping. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require individuals to speak in detail about their trauma, making it accessible for those who struggle to verbalize painful experiences. It is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has been adapted for use with other mental health disorders such as anxiety and substance use. Many clients report significant improvements in fewer sessions compared to other therapeutic approaches.  Our provider, Nikki Flagg LCSW, is a certified EMDR therapist and is skilled at helping clients heal from trauma and improve their well-being.

IFS Therapy

Internal Family Systems Therapy is a psychotherapy approach that works to heal trauma by recognizing that we all have internal "parts" that hold trauma and its impacts.  It's based on the concept of "multiplicity of the mind" where our minds can hold a variety of thoughts and emotions at the same time - even when they may conflict.  With trauma, these parts can be fragmented leading to confusion, and dysregulation in our inner mind.  The goal of IFS is to cultivate self-compassion and understanding of all parts, recognizing they all have a role to play in protecting and helping the core-self function in our daily life.  Individuals can then foster a sense of greater inner harmony and wholeness.  IFS works for a variety of trauma-related disorders including borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, dissociation disorders, depression and anxiety.  Talk to a Gulf Wind Counseling therapist about IFS to help you heal from trauma.