The symptoms of C-PTSD often span multiple areas of functioning. Some common signs include:

• Emotional dysregulation: Feeling easily overwhelmed, quick shifts in mood, difficulty calming down
• Chronic self-criticism: Deep feelings of shame, guilt, or unworthiness
• People-pleasing or avoidance: Difficulty asserting needs or setting boundaries
• Relationship struggles: Fear of abandonment, repeated unhealthy dynamics with emotionally unavailable or hurtful partners
• Hypervigilance: Always scanning for criticism or danger, even in safe spaces
• Dissociation: Feeling emotionally numb, checked out, or disconnected
• Flashbacks or emotional flashbacks: Sudden shame, panic, or fear without a clear trigger
• Imposter syndrome: Persistent sense of being inadequate or “not enough”

It’s also very common for clients to have received a string of misdiagnoses over the years—bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, OCD, or general anxiety and depression. While those labels may capture certain symptoms, they often fail to tell the whole story.

One hallmark of complex trauma is what we call “emotional flashbacks.” These aren’t vivid memories of a specific event, but rather powerful emotional states that feel familiar yet disconnected from your present reality. For instance, you may find yourself feeling panicked or ashamed after a neutral comment from your boss, simply because their tone reminded you—subconsciously—of a critical parent. Emotional flashbacks can make you feel as if you’re “in trouble” all the time, even when you’re objectively safe.

This is one reason why healing from C-PTSD requires patience and gentleness. The body and nervous system are responding to past danger as if it’s still happening. That constant sense of threat can make everyday life feel overwhelming.

Despite being widely recognized in clinical and international settings, complex PTSD is still not officially listed in the DSM (the diagnostic manual used in the United States). This can be frustrating for clients seeking clarity or validation. Many end up with multiple diagnoses that never fully capture the heart of what they’re going through.

The good news? Even without a formal DSM label, complex trauma is real—and treatable. And you are not alone in your experience. The growing recognition of C-PTSD means there are now more tools and frameworks than ever before to support healing.

I offer a relational, trauma-informed approach that centers safety, consistency, and trust. For many clients, this is the first time they’ve had a relationship where their needs are prioritized and their stories are believed.

Together, we may explore:

• Building trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship
• Identifying and naming past trauma and how it still shows up
• Developing tools for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
• Understanding how early experiences shaped your beliefs and behaviors
• Gently working with inner parts that carry shame, fear, or anger
• Strengthening your sense of self, boundaries, and identity

I often integrate techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindful Self-Compassion, and somatic practices to support the nervous system and emotional regulation. I also draw from the model created by Dr. Lindsay Gibson on treating adult children of emotionally immature parents—a framework many of my clients find incredibly validating.

Healing from complex PTSD doesn’t mean forgetting or minimizing what happened. It means reclaiming your right to feel safe, connected, and whole. It means building a life where you’re no longer defined by your past but guided by your values and sense of self.

If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, second-guessing your worth, or feeling stuck in survival mode, you’re not broken. You’ve been carrying the weight of experiences that were never yours to bear alone—and you don’t have to anymore.