Trauma Therapy in Kansas City, MO. Heal Your Trauma at Liz Davis Therapy.

We provide trauma-informed care for all people seeking relief from symptoms of trauma, PTSD, or CPTSD.

Trauma is real. And the impact is immense. Let us help you get the healing you deserve.

Healing from trauma is a journey, and at Liz Davis Therapy, we are here to support you every step of the way. If you are seeking trauma therapy, trauma-informed therapy, treatment for PTSD or C-PTSD, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), or AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), you've come to the right place. Our approach is compassionate, personalized, and designed to help you reclaim your life.

Trauma-Informed Care in Kansas City, MO.

Many of us have experienced trauma, whether we realize it or not. Trauma is any experience that totally overwhelms our nervous systems and our ability to cope. In our practice, we refer to the different types of traumas as “Big T” and “little t” traumas. Both types are equally valid and can have a massive effect on our lives, our sense of self, our relationships, and how we cope to manage our symptoms.

As Marriage and Family Therapists, we took additional post-graduate training to offer truly trauma-informed care using evidence-based techniques. See below to read about some of the most common issues in processing trauma and the techniques we use to help you reclaim your life, manage distress and symptoms more effectively, and improve your relationships. You deserve to invest in yourself and your healing, and we want to help you do it.

Hear Directly from our Clients!

  • "Liz was the first person to help me realize I had trauma. I had seen three past therapist and had never realized how much stress I was carrying from my past. I can't believe I'd never realized it before."

    -Anonymous

  • "Before therapy I didn't even know who I was. Now, I actually know who I am outside of what had happened to me. I'm so grateful to Lynee for helping me finally find myself."

    -Anonymous

  • "Liz helped me so much that I've actually referred three of my friends and colleagues to her as well! I've been with Liz for two years and I can't even believe how much progress we've made."

    -Kaitlyn Z.

Common Issues in Processing Trauma.

Trauma can manifest in various ways, and individuals may face challenges such as:

Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories

Overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety from traumatic memories from the past.

Depression

Persistent sadness, loss of interest, lack of energy, and feelings of hopelessness.

Chronic Pain or Health Issues

Physical symptoms that may be linked to unresolved trauma.

Sleep Disturbances Due To Distress

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares.

Emotional Numbness or Feeling Disconnected

Feeling disconnected from emotions or the world around you.

Difficulty Trusting Others

Struggling to build or maintain trust in relationships due to wounding in the past.

Self-Esteem Issues

Impact on the sense of self and identity, self-worth, and confidence.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment in Kansas City, MO.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, assault, or combat. 

It is characterized by a range of distressing symptoms, including intrusive thoughts or flashbacks of the event, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance of anything that reminds them of the trauma. 

People with PTSD may also experience negative changes in mood, such as feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness, as well as heightened arousal symptoms like irritability, hypervigilance, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life, making maintaining relationships, working, or engaging in everyday activities challenging. 

At Liz Davis Therapy, our approach to treating PTSD is centered around creating a safe, compassionate, and trauma-informed environment where clients can begin to heal from their traumatic experiences. 

We recognize that every person’s experience of trauma is unique, so we provide individualized care that respects each client’s specific needs and pace. Our approach combines evidence-based therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), which are highly effective in reprocessing traumatic memories and fostering emotional healing by focusing on emotional experiences and deepening the therapeutic relationship.

How do we treat PTSD?

  1. The therapy process is phase-oriented, beginning with building stability and safety. This phase focuses on helping clients develop coping skills to manage overwhelming emotions and reduce symptoms like anxiety and hypervigilance. 

  2. Once a foundation of safety and trust is established, we gently move into trauma processing, using techniques like EMDR to help clients process and integrate traumatic memories without becoming overwhelmed. 

  3. The final phase, reconnection and integration, focuses on helping clients rebuild their sense of self, enhance their relationships, and engage fully in their lives again.

We believe in empowering our clients throughout their healing journey, encouraging active participation and collaboration in setting therapy goals. By integrating different therapeutic modalities tailored to each individual's needs, we aim to help clients not only reduce PTSD symptoms but also build emotional resilience, reclaim control over their lives, and foster a sense of safety, connection, and well-being.

Understanding Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a more severe form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that develops from prolonged, repeated trauma, particularly in situations where the person feels trapped or unable to escape. Unlike PTSD, which often results from a single traumatic event, C-PTSD arises from sustained abuse, neglect, or other long-term traumatic situations such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, captivity, or prolonged bullying. These experiences, especially when they occur in relational contexts (like a parent-child relationship or an intimate partner or amongst peers), can deeply affect one’s sense of self, safety, and ability to trust others.

Symptoms of Complex PTSD

While C-PTSD shares core symptoms with PTSD—such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance of trauma reminders—it also involves additional symptoms that reflect the pervasive impact of chronic trauma:

  • Emotional Dysregulation: Individuals with C-PTSD often struggle to manage intense emotions, such as chronic sadness, anger outbursts, or emotional numbness. This can manifest as feeling overwhelmed by emotions or, conversely, feeling emotionally "shut down."

  • Negative Self-Concept: A deep sense of shame, guilt, or worthlessness is common. Those with C-PTSD may feel fundamentally "flawed" or unworthy, stemming from the repeated trauma that affects their self-esteem and perception of their own value.

  • Interpersonal Difficulties: Forming and maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging for those with C-PTSD. There may be a tendency to either distrust others completely or become overly dependent, fearing abandonment. Individuals might also struggle with setting boundaries, leading to further relational complications.

  • Dissociation: This involves feeling disconnected from one’s body or thoughts, often as a protective mechanism against the emotional pain of trauma. It may feel like watching life unfold from a distance or feeling detached from reality.

  • Somatization: Many with C-PTSD experience physical symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, or digestive issues, which can be expressions of unresolved psychological trauma stored in the body.

Our trauma-informed and compassionate approach ensures that each client is met with understanding and empathy, recognizing their courage and resilience. We work collaboratively with our clients, empowering them to heal at their own pace and build a life where they can feel secure, valued, and authentically connected.

What is Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma occurs when a child experiences events or environments that are threatening, overwhelming, or beyond their ability to cope. 

This can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, loss of a loved one, or living with a caregiver who has a substance use disorder or untreated mental illness. It can also result from chronic bullying, medical trauma, or exposure to community violence.

Common Symptoms and Effects of Childhood Trauma:

Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s development and well-being, often carrying into adulthood. Symptoms can vary widely but may include:

  • Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, such as frequent mood swings, intense anger, chronic sadness, or anxiety.

  • Attachment Issues: Struggles with forming and maintaining healthy relationships, trust issues, fear of abandonment, or overly dependent behaviors.

  • Hypervigilance and Anxiety: A constant state of alertness or being “on edge,” fear of certain places or people, or generalized anxiety.

  • Dissociation and Detachment: Feeling disconnected from oneself or the world, "spacing out," or a sense of unreality, often as a coping mechanism.

  • Negative Self-Perception: Deep-seated feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness, or believing that they are inherently flawed or “bad.”

  • Behavioral Issues: Self-destructive behaviors, substance abuse, difficulty concentrating, or impulsivity.

Long-Term Impact of Childhood Trauma:

Untreated childhood trauma can lead to Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and difficulty with emotional and relational stability. Trauma can impact brain development, affecting cognitive functions and stress responses, and can even contribute to chronic physical health conditions like heart disease, obesity, or autoimmune disorders.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for Trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD.

EMDR is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and alleviate the symptoms of PTSD. This evidence-based therapy involves the following steps:

History-Taking and Treatment Planning:

We will work with you to understand your history and develop a personalized treatment plan so that you can successfully engage in EMDR treatment.

Preparation

Before beginning EMDR, we will ensure you have healthy coping strategies to manage emotional distress.

Desensitization and Reprocessing

Using bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), you will revisit distressing memories while focusing on external stimuli. This process helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact.

Installation of Positive Cognitions

We will guide you in replacing negative beliefs with positive, adaptive ones to promote healing.

Closure

Each session concludes with stabilizing techniques to ensure you feel grounded and secure.

Reevaluation

Over subsequent sessions, progress is monitored, and adjustments are made as needed.

AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) for Trauma.

At Liz Davis Therapy, we understand the profound impact that trauma can have on your life. If you're seeking trauma therapy with a focus on innovative approaches like AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), you've come to the right place. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for your healing journey.

AEDP is a cutting-edge therapeutic approach that focuses on fostering emotional healing and transformation. Here's how AEDP works:

Safe Exploration in a Safe Environment

Liz Davis, our skilled therapist, creates a secure and supportive space for you to explore and process difficult emotions.

Experiential Technique

AEDP utilizes experiential techniques to help you access and express emotions, promoting healing at a deep level actually within the present moment in the therapy room.

Emphasis on Positive Transformation

AEDP focuses on positive experiences and aims to transform negative emotional states into more adaptive and resilient ones, using a relational, growth mindset.

Mind-Body Connection

AEDP recognizes the intricate connection between the mind and body, incorporating somatic (body-based) techniques to promote holistic healing. The mind-body connection is researched and powerful!

Integration of Positive Changes

Throughout the therapy process, positive changes are integrated to enhance emotional well-being and resilience.

A Relational Approach

AEDP is a relational approach that uses the therapeutic alliance between the client and therapist to foster healing in an experiential way. Heal in relational safety.

Lynee Gonzales, M.S., PLMFT in Kansas City.

We truly wish healing for you, and we want to help you get there.

Feel free to schedule an appointment with me today to begin your healing journey. Trauma doesn’t have to steal the rest of your life. Let’s reclaim yourself and your life, together.

Liz Davis, M.S., LMFT, LCMFT in Kansas City, MO.

Let’s Get Started, Together!

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Liz Davis, M.S., LMFT, LCMFT in Kansas City, MO.

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy acknowledges the broad impact of trauma and emphasizes creating a safe space for healing. We tailor care to address the diverse manifestations of trauma, fostering a compassionate and evidence-based environment that prioritizes safety, trust, and collaborative healing.

  • What is considered traumatic is so subjective. We recognize and provide support for various types of trauma, whether it's "Big T" traumas such as major life events or "little t" traumas that may be less obvious but still deeply impactful to you.

  • We incorporate trauma-informed care using evidence-based techniques. This approach is designed to address the impact of trauma on your life, relationships, and overall well-being.

  • Yes, trauma therapy is tailored to address a range of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and other challenges that may arise from traumatic experiences.

  • We offer EMDR, a specialized therapy involving a structured process to help individuals process traumatic memories. This evidence-based approach focuses on desensitization, reprocessing, and installing positive cognitions.

  • EMDR is personalized to each individual's needs. Before starting, we ensure you have healthy coping strategies in place to manage emotional distress effectively.

  • We utilize Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), an innovative approach emphasizing emotional healing, experiential techniques, and positive transformation. It recognizes the mind-body connection and promotes holistic healing.

  • AEDP is a relational approach that leverages the therapeutic alliance between you and your therapist. This approach fosters healing in an experiential manner, emphasizing a safe and supportive environment.

  • Sessions involve safe exploration of difficult emotions, experiential techniques, and an emphasis on positive transformation. The mind-body connection is recognized, and positive changes are integrated throughout the therapy process.

  • The duration varies based on individual needs and progress. We work collaboratively with each client, monitoring progress over sessions and making adjustments as needed.

  • The clinicians at Liz Davis Therapy distinguish themselves through a personalized, compassionate approach, integrating evidence-based techniques to address the unique impact of trauma on individuals.

  • Yes, trauma therapy is designed to address both recent traumatic events and past traumas, recognizing that the impact of these experiences can persist over time.

  • We employ a tailored approach to address trust issues, acknowledging the challenges individuals may face in building and maintaining trust. The therapeutic process is guided by a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment.

  • We provide trauma-informed care to individuals, couples, and families, recognizing that trauma can impact various aspects of relationships.

  • We emphasize cultural sensitivity in trauma therapy, recognizing the diverse backgrounds of individuals in Kansas City, MO. The therapeutic approach is respectful of cultural nuances and diverse perspectives.

  • We collaboratively work with clients to develop personalized coping strategies, ensuring they have tools to manage symptoms effectively between therapy sessions.

  • Yes, we address trauma not only in your personal life but also acknowledge the impact of workplace-related trauma or stress, offering support for individuals navigating these challenges.

  • Self-care is integral to the trauma healing process, and we can offer guidance on incorporating personalized self-care practices into daily life to promote overall well-being and resilience.

 Frequently Asked Trauma Therapy Questions

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Feel free to check out some of my blog posts to learn more about me, my style, and my perspective on mental health and healing here.

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