How trauma can show up
Trauma includes single events, such as an assault or a serious accident, and harm that happened over time, including childhood sexual abuse. Years later, adults may notice:
- Anxiety, feeling on guard, or being easily startled
- Nightmares or memories that intrude
- Numbness, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others
- Shame, self-blame, or harsh self-criticism
- Difficulty with trust, closeness, or sexual intimacy
- Depression, or using alcohol, food, or work to cope
Working at your pace
You do not have to tell your whole story to start. Early sessions focus on building trust and on steadiness: understanding your reactions and having ways to settle when they are strong. Talking about what happened comes when, and if, you are ready.
Dr. Lehmann's insight-oriented approach helps connect past experiences to present patterns in relationships, self-image, and how you cope, so that those patterns make sense and can begin to change.
Safety and boundaries
If you are currently in danger or being hurt, your safety comes first. Call 911 in an emergency. For confidential support around sexual violence, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 (see rainn.org).
Therapy is not a crisis service. If memories or feelings become overwhelming between sessions, call or text 988. Sometimes a higher level of care or a specialized program is a better fit for a period of time, and Dr. Lehmann will say so and help you find it.
Learn more
Trauma Recovery and Emotional Safety Library: guides on what does trauma-informed therapy mean; how trauma can affect trust and relationships, and related questions.
Common questions
Do I have to talk about the details of what happened?
No. You decide what to share and when. Much of the early work is about safety and understanding current reactions rather than retelling events.
It happened a long time ago. Is it too late for therapy?
No. Many adults seek support years or decades after abuse or other trauma, often when something in the present brings it back to the surface.
Can trauma affect my relationship or sex life?
Yes, it often does. Those effects can be part of your therapy, and couples work may be an option later if you and your partner want it.