You’re Holding It Together. Your Body Isn’t.

You are competent. Responsible. High-functioning.

You manage work. Family. Expectations.

You appear to have it all together, but under the surface your thoughts churn 24/7. 

And your body reacts before your mind understands why.

You scan rooms without meaning to.

You cannot fully power down.

You brace, even when nothing is happening.

You get stuck moving forward with things you know you can do.

You may not call it trauma.

You might call it “stress.” Or “just how I am.”  You cannot recall not being this way, so you may not realize things could be easier.  You probably believe everyone is gritting their teeth and pushing through to function.

Or maybe you’ve tried trauma therapy before and were left feeling flooded, overwhelmed, destabilized, or even worse off than where you started.. 

This approach is structured to prioritize stabilization before trauma processing.

At Green Door Vitality & Wellness in downtown Raleigh, I integrate psychiatry, deep-dive trauma psychotherapy, hypnosis, and acupuncture to relieve distressing symptoms and create a calm, peaceful state prior to integration work.

You may be surprised to learn that you do not have to relive your trauma to resolve its impact.

We will create a safe and still space to intentionally connect to unmet needs of the part of you holding the memories, so you can move forward, more centered than you would have believed is possible.

When Trauma Is Operating Quietly

You may recognize yourself here:

• Your nervous system escalates faster than the situation warrants
• After difficult conversations, your body stays activated for hours
• Chronic pain or migraines flare with stress
• You feel internally guarded, even in safe environments
• Previous trauma therapy intensified symptoms
• You are tired of managing symptoms silently

Trauma often lives in reflexes, not narratives.

In muscle tension.
In vigilance.
In shutdown.
In over-functioning.

These are adaptations. Not weaknesses.

What Begins to Shift

When regulation is addressed directly — not assumed — people often notice:

• A measurable decrease in physical tension
• Faster recovery after stress
• Emotional activation that feels tolerable rather than overwhelming
• Fewer pain flares are tied to relational or work stress
• Improved sleep depth
• A greater sense of internal steadiness and flexibility
• Improved outlook on life and feeling good about goals

This is not catharsis.

It is integration supported by nervous system stabilization.

Subtle shifts accumulate through small steps.

A Structured Alternative to Destabilizing Trauma Work

Some trauma models rely heavily on repeated retelling or exposure.

For certain individuals, particularly those with early, relational, or repetitive trauma, exposure without sufficient stabilization can re-injure and cause more harm. 

My work emphasizes symptom containment and relief first.

I integrate:

• Psychodynamic and ego psychology frameworks
• Parts-oriented trauma integration
• Self-hypnosis to access material in a controlled state
• Acupuncture within the session for autonomic regulation and deep relaxation
• Somatic modalities and EMDR techniques
• Targeted and strategic medication management when appropriate

Acupuncture is not just an add-on.

It often functions as the regulatory foundation of the session.

Most people report a noticeable drop in physical tension within minutes (sometimes seconds!) Shoulders lower. Breath deepens.  Face and jaw soften.  Throat and chest feel remarkably open. 

We establish physiological safety and inner stillness before approaching painful material.

As a psychiatrist, I also practice medication management judiciously. I do not layer multiple medications or switch prematurely. If medication is used, it is chosen thoughtfully  and monitored carefully to target the most bothersome symptoms.

This is structured, contained trauma integration — not emotional implosion.

What Working Together Looks Like

Our first meeting is a 60-minute psychiatric evaluation. We review your history, safety, symptom patterns, and current areas of distress.

From there, we determine whether to begin with:

• Trauma Integration Psychotherapy (with acupuncture)
• Acupuncture-focused stabilization of physical pain or emotional symptoms
• Medication Management

Weekly sessions are recommended, particularly at the beginning.

This work requires attendance and openness about what is happening between sessions. We move at a pace your nervous system feels good about. Disclosure is never forced.

Between sessions, you may text my business line if needed.

Services are provided in person in downtown Raleigh and virtually when appropriate.

Who This Work Is For

This may be a strong fit if you:

• Are high-functioning but physiologically exhausted
• Instinctively put others first, and people see you as the “go-to” person
• Grew up in a dysfunctional home and were expected to meet their own needs early on
• Felt destabilized or even harmed by previous trauma therapy
• Suspect you have a PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis
• Have mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, phobias or cravings that are not responding to the usual treatments
• Were referred by your therapist for additional support
• Want a psychiatrist who provides in-depth psychotherapy
• Prefer a steady, structured therapeutic frame
• Are willing to engage consistently

I work with adolescents (13+) through older adults, with particular depth in serving survivors of abuse and middle-aged women navigating long-standing trauma patterns.

Men are welcome here. Trauma in men often goes unrecognized and untreated.

Fees & Logistics

• Trauma Integration Psychotherapy (with acupuncture): 60 minutes – $240
• Psychiatric Medication Management (with acupuncture): 60 minutes – $280
• Restorative Individual Acupuncture: 55 minutes – $180

Not in network with insurance.

No controlled substances are prescribed without a medication contract in place.

A 24-hour cancellation policy applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to retell everything that happened?
No. We will utilize multiple modalities and work with present nervous system responses rather than requiring detailed re-living and re-exposure.

What if trauma therapy made me worse before?
That experience is more common than many realize. Safety and stabilization are prioritized before deeper integration begins

Is acupuncture painful?
Most individuals describe it as calming. If you are hesitant about needles, we address that directly and proceed gradually.  Needles are beneficial to many, but by no means required. 

How long does this work last?
Duration varies based on complexity and goals. Some individuals seek focused stabilization; others engage in longer-term integration. We reassess regularly.

You may be accustomed to handling distress quietly.

Trauma does not have to dictate the pace of your life.

Healing can be deliberate, structured, and physiologically grounded.

You do not need certainty to begin. Only willingness.

Book an Appointment