Trauma is far more pervasive in our society than what most people believe. Most of us have some level of trauma, especially as related to our upbringing and our relationship with our primary caregivers (typically our parents), family, community, and other “systems” (e.g., religious institutions, welfare system, schools, nation, etc.) Additionally, many people from marginalized communities suffer from racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc., which can be traumatizing. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex (C) PTSD are the result of either a singular, devastating trauma (e.g., car accident, natural disaster) or ongoing exposure to difficult circumstances (e.g., abuse, neglect, poverty, racial discrimination), respectively. PTSD and C-PTSD can manifest in symptoms such as sleep disturbances, flashbacks, inability to control emotions, dissociation, and an increased startle response, to name a few. It can also affect how we relate to others, especially our significant other and family. Therapy will address trauma in 3 stages. First, we will work to stabilize your life by focusing on actions that help you feel better, day-by-day. Once your daily life improves, we can shift to discussing your painful experiences, focusing on developing insight, better understanding, and closure. The third stage is ongoing therapy in which we can integrate your insights into your daily life to help you manage diagnosis, ongoing challenges, and relationships with a combination of acceptance, awareness, and self-compassion.