Christian Therapist for women with anxiety and trauma throughout CA & TX

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5 Signs You Need to See a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Something earth shattering happened to you. Your life has not been the same. You’ve tried your best to forget about it, but you have not been successful. You were shaken for a while, but now you’ve dusted yourself off and you think things are back to normal.

But you realize the old you has disappeared. You can’t recognize the person you are. Life just doesn’t feel peaceful.

The good news is that finding the right trauma therapist in Houston can be a game-changer for you- especially with innovative approaches like Brainspotting.

Trauma does not have to rule over you. Not sure if you might benefit from trauma therapy? Here are 5 signs why you need to see a trauma therapist.

You're Constantly Feeling Anxious or On Edge

When something traumatic happens, your brain goes into protection mode. The part of your brain that is wired for survival becomes much more active. In women especially, you find yourself feeling on guard. Everyone around you becomes a suspect. You wonder, “Am I safe?” Activities you used to participate in previously become a lot more difficult to engage in.

Anxiety becomes part of your daily life. Your heart starts to beat a little faster, you feel more irritable than normal and you just know that something is off.

Again, more good news. A skilled brainspotting trauma therapist can help you target the deep rooted causes of anxiety, so you can breathe a bit easier.


You Avoid Certain Places or Situations

Avoidance is a red flag that could stem from unresolved trauma. You find yourself avoiding people, places or objects that remind you of the events that happened. Sometimes you even go out of your way to avoid a certain route while driving.

You might even avoid listening to certain songs, watching a certain TV series or wearing a specific shirt- because these things all remind you of something bad that happened.

This is why I love brainspotting. Because it can help you reprocess these triggers so that you no longer associate them with a traumatic event.

The outcome? You are free to go wherever you want, listen to whatever music you want and drive wherever you want. Remember that brainspotting is a specialized type of therapy- so not all trauma therapists know about it or how to implement it.


You're Struggling with Relationships

One of the least talked about side effects of trauma is how it negatively affects your relationships. You might find yourself withdrawing from others, ignoring phone calls and texts and turning down invitations to events.

It feels so lonely because at the back of your mind, you want to actually connect, but your body just can’t seem to do it. It’s the idea of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Sometimes when you do summon the courage to connect with others, you feel irritated, you get into arguments and the relationship sours.

But once you have worked through the emotional blocks, you can rebuild trust in your relationships and improve communication. Trauma doesn’t have to destroy everything.

You Feel Disconnected from Yourself

Sometimes when trauma happens, you disconnect yourself from your environment and your own body. We call this dissociation. It feels like you are floating on a cloud while everything else just keeps moving. The earth stands still while you keep floating.

You might even feel like you have gaps in your memory and you start to forget things.

With the help of a trauma therapist in Houston who is trained in brainspotting, you can start feeling reconnected with your body and emotions.


You’ve Tried Other Therapies but Still Feel Stuck

I hear this all the time. You have something horrible happen to you, so you do your due diligence and head on over to the nearest therapist. You do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or some other form of talk therapy. You feel better for a moment, and then you hit a wall.

All your old symptoms come back- anxiety, avoidance, dissociation, nightmares, irritability, arguments in your relationship.

Why does this happen? Because although talk therapy has its place, it doesn’t allow you to go as deep as innovative brain focused therapies do. Therapies like brainspotting help you access the deepest parts of your brain where trauma and strong emotions dwell.

The result? The ability to finally live a life without fear and anxiety.


Ready to break free from the patterns holding you back? Connect with me, your trusted trauma therapist in Houston, and discover how Brainspotting can guide you toward lasting healing. Click here to book your free consultation call for brainspotting trauma therapy in Houston today and start feeling like yourself again!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.


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How Brainspotting with a Trauma Therapist in Houston Can Change Your Life

I’ve been a therapist for about a decade now. I’ve worked with people going through severe mental health struggles, complex levels of dysfunction within their family units, and of course, multiple layers of trauma.

One of the complaints I often hear from clients is that they have been to trauma therapy and they just aren’t getting results. They do not want to have to rehash the horrors they have been through.

This really sucks. Imagine being trapped in a hurricane of trauma with no relief in sight?

My goal as a therapist is to make therapy worthwhile and effective for my clients. Why? Because clients usually only come to me after they have been struggling for years, so by the time they get to me, they are completely spent.

Back in the day, I utilized regular talk therapy to help my clients work through trauma, however it just wasn’t cutting it.

I’ve been a therapist for about a decade now. I’ve worked with people going through severe mental health struggles, complex levels of dysfunction within their family units, and of course, multiple layers of trauma.

One of the complaints I often hear from clients is that they have been to trauma therapy and they just aren’t getting results. They do not want to have to rehash the horrors they have been through.

This really sucks. Imagine being trapped in a hurricane of trauma with no relief in sight?

My goal as a therapist is to make therapy worthwhile and effective for my clients. Why? Because clients usually only come to me after they have been struggling for years, so by the time they get to me, they are completely spent.

Back in the day, I utilized regular talk therapy to help my clients work through trauma, however it just wasn’t cutting it.

Enter brainspotting.

What is Brainspotting, and How Does It Help?

Brainspotting essentially is a breakthrough method of helping you process trauma without having you go over the gory details of what happened to you over and over again.

The idea behind brainspotting is “Where you look affects how you feel.” By utilizing your eye gaze, I help you connect to the deeper layers of the brain where the trauma lives. You will connect to emotions and memories you have buried deeply- but at your own pace. Once you do this, you can now explore, then digest the trauma.

The outcome?

Freedom from the chokehold that trauma has you locked in.

And what I love even more is that brainspotting is multifaceted. It is useful for anxiety and getting unstuck. Some athletes even use it to improve their performance. I’ve heard actors and performers find it useful too.

If you can find a trauma therapist who is adequately trained in brainspotting, I tell you that it will change your life forever. Powerful healing is right in front of you.

Brainspotting verse traditional therapy

I often define brainspotting as “Therapy on steroids.” Because I find that the progress you make from just 1 brainspotting session can only be compared to the progress you can make from multiple traditional talk therapy sessions.

With talk therapy, you have to rely on the intuition, training and competence of your therapist to ask the right questions and to guide you to the place they think you should go in your mind.

With brainspotting, you are in charge. Your therapist isn’t telling you what to work on. You will innately bring up what needs to come up. This is amazing because trauma already makes you feel as if you have lost all control of your mind and body. Brainspotting can empower you to reconnect with your mind and body.

With traditional therapy, your therapist helps you calm down, regulate your emotions and pokes and prods until they have hit the right target. But with brainspotting, your body innately tells you what to talk about- without unnecessary interference from the therapist.

The right trauma therapist in Houston who specializes in brainspotting can masterfully help you learn to trust your body, find calm amidst the storm in your mind and show you how to ask for what you want. A brainspotting therapist functions as a guide- NOT as the expert who is telling you what to do. It is faster and more effective for trauma processing than traditional methods of trauma processing.

If you are ready to clear trauma, find a trauma therapist in Houston who is trained in brainspotting.

What to Expect in Your First Brainspotting Session with a Trauma Therapist in Houston

A typical brainspotting session begins with the therapist asking you what you would like to work on. It could include a memory, or just a general statement like “I feel my heart beating fast everytime I cross the street.”

I will then ask you what emotion comes up when you think about the above statement. Then you locate where the emotion sits in your body and rate it from 1-10.

After that I give you the space to see what comes up for you. Some people are quiet the entire time, while they feel their thoughts swirling around. And others verbally talk through what is coming up for them. It feels like being caught in a whirlwind of emotions, followed by a strong resolution and then, peace.

It is safe, non evasive and helps you move according to your own pace.

My job as a trauma therapist in Houston is to provide a supportive and personalized approach for women.

The Life-Changing Benefits of Brainspotting Therapy

Brainspotting is life changing. After the brainspotting session, you might even continue processing the trauma in your sleep (don’t worry, no nightmares). It’s like your brain helps you iron out the kinks so that you can remove the trauma that was trapped in your brain.

My clients have experienced emotional clarity, decreased anxiety, a deeper connection with their body, and of course, healing from past trauma.

Imagine having spent years of your life being trapped with the effects of trauma. In just a few brainspotting therapy sessions, you can now sleep again, you don’t overthink things, your confidence soars, you feel connected to your body again and you can speak up for yourself.

Amazing!

How to Find the Best Trauma Therapist in Houston for Brainspotting

The single most effective factor in the success of therapy is the connection you share with your therapist. Make sure you not only find out if the therapist is an actual therapist (check their license status online), but read their website or profile to see if they resonate with you.

You can start with a Google search, or use a therapy directory such as Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Melanin and Mental health or Therapy Den. There are many others out there.

My clients typically come to me because they like my background. They like that they can dress however they want. No persona needed. I’m also an immigrant, so I get what it is like to feel different.

I laugh A LOT, I show up most times with my Afro hair. I will guide you, support you and check you. Yup, sometimes shade is thrown. But I will also teach you how to be more of your authentic self. Period.

Find out more about me here.

Ready to see how Brainspotting with a trauma therapist in Houston can transform your life? Click here to book your free consultation call with me for brainspotting trauma therapy and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier future.

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.


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What Happens in Trauma Therapy? A Guide from a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Trauma is everywhere. That’s a scary thought. But because most people know what trauma is, it is important to understand the process of healing one’s trauma through therapy.

There is a growing need for specialized trauma therapists in Houston, because the world is getting harsher and harsher. People are no longer willing to suffer in silence- which is AMAZING!

But sometimes, seeking help for the trauma that has you in a chokehold feels scary. You might have heard horror stories about people who have gone to therapy. Or maybe your mama has warned you to never tell strangers your business.

And as an adult woman, you might also feel like you are way too busy to spend about 1 hour each week talking through trauma.

Today I’m about to help silence your fears and give you some insight into what trauma therapy actually is.

Trauma is everywhere. That’s a scary thought. But because most people know what trauma is, it is important to understand the process of healing one’s trauma through therapy.

There is a growing need for specialized trauma therapists in Houston, because the world is getting harsher and harsher. People are no longer willing to suffer in silence- which is AMAZING!

But sometimes, seeking help for the trauma that has you in a chokehold feels scary. You might have heard horror stories about people who have gone to therapy. Or maybe your mama has warned you to never tell strangers your business.

And as an adult woman, you might also feel like you are way too busy to spend about 1 hour each week talking through trauma.

Today I’m about to help silence your fears and give you some insight into what trauma therapy actually is.

The good news is that trauma therapy doesn’t have to involve a whole lot of time and a whole lot of talking. With unique and cutting edge therapies like brainspotting, you can finally work through your trauma in less time than traditional trauma therapies. 

Regardless of what type of therapy you embark on, there will be an element of apprehension. It comes with the territory. But luckily, a very skilled trauma therapist can have you feeling safe and comfortable in very little time. 


What Does Trauma Therapy Involve?

Trauma therapy might sound big and scary, but it might not be as bad as you imagine. The first step in trauma therapy is finding a therapist you are comfortable with.

How will you know when you find them? You’ll know. It’s the feeling of “She gets me and I feel safe with her.” Trust your gut always.

Your first session would probably be an assessment session. Your therapist would ask about previous experiences in therapy, what your social life looks like, your upbringing, maybe some childhood experiences, your family life, what brings you into therapy, what you’re looking to get out of therapy, your educational background and work life, your emotional health, physical health and a whole lot more.

Why do we do this?

Because trauma therapy is not cookie cutter. When I know you better, it gives me insight into how to better help you.

During the second session this is when I first introduce brainspotting- which in my opinion, is a much more powerful and effective way to process trauma than traditional talk therapy. The main difference is that with brainspotting, we literally jump straight into the trauma during the second session. Why waste time?

With the power of eye movements and some strategic guidance on my part, I am able to help you access exactly where those emotions and experiences have been trapped in your brain- all in under an hour.

But with talk therapy, it might take multiple sessions before you are able to access the things that have been locked in the recesses of your brain. At first glance, brainspotting might seem a bit harsher than talk therapy, but it gets the work done faster. 

There is also no guessing. In traditional talk therapy, your therapist has to gently coax memories out of you. None of that exists during brainspotting. Your brain will naturally guide you to where you need to go- thereby boosting your confidence too.


The Role of a Trauma Therapist in Houston: Guiding You Through Your Healing Journey

My job as a trauma therapist is to be your guide. Although you and I might have different educational backgrounds, I believe that you know yourself better than anyone else. Yes, I am a mental health expert, but you are the expert of your own brain and body.

I understand the unique needs of women, because oftentimes we don’t have the luxury of time to sit still and take care of our own mental health needs.

So in the under 1 hour that you work with me, my job is to help you prioritize yourself, validate yourself, find safety and help give you the tools so that you can continue to function as the high performing woman that you are. 

I specifically love that brainspotting is so empowering to women. It helps you feel like you belong in your own body again. You are no longer frightened by the difficult memories. You learn how to ask for what you want, to comfort yourself when you need it, and to express emotions appropriately.

Brainspotting helps you get your power back, because we know that trauma could have you feeling completely weak and stuck.


How Brainspotting Works: A Deeper Look into Trauma Therapy

Brainspotting basically helps stop overthinking, over rationalizing and can help connect you to the more emotional part of your brain. When one goes through trauma, sometimes you shut off the emotional part of you in order to protect yourself. But a fully functioning woman deserves to have full access to both her thoughts and her emotions. 

Let’s learn a bit of brain science.

Most of us are engaging the frontal cortex when we talk, when we make everyday decisions. But we typically neglect the emotional centers. But with brainspotting, the frontal cortex gets to take a break (no more overthinking), so that you can have access to the deeper areas of the brain where your emotions are (and where trauma is stored).

Why is this helpful?

Because traumatic emotions literally make you feel like you are trapped. When you are able to access these emotions at a deeper level and digest them, you can be set free from the pain of trauma. 


What to Expect During Your First Session with a Trauma Therapist in Houston

After the assessment session that I mentioned previously, you are now ready to begin brainspotting. Yup! Just like that. You don’t need fancy prep work. 

The second session is where I introduce brainspotting. You’ll decide what issue or memory you would like as the target of the session. Then I’ll ask you what emotions are coming up for you and where you sense it in your body (brainspotting is really great for helping improve your mind-body connection).

Once this is done, I take a step back and allow you to see what comes up.

It will feel like you are taking a series of wild turns in your brain. Some people talk through it, while others are silent. But it will feel like your thoughts are moving rapidly until you find a resolution. And yes, you will eventually reach a point in the brainspotting session where you feel like you have digested the issue.

Just. Like. That.

If you’ve never experienced brainspotting, I realize this will all sound wacko. But once you experience it, it makes all the sense in the world.


Is Trauma Therapy Right for You? Finding the Best Trauma Therapist in Houston

Now brainspotting feels remarkably different from traditional trauma therapy. For one, your therapist won’t be doing a whole lot of talking. Instead, you will be given the space to explore the emotions as they naturally come up.

I do have to say brainspotting can feel intense, but once you get all the emotions out, the catharsis is HUGE. Some clients say they had the best sleep of their lives after a brainspotting session.

If you are ready to trust the process and truly heal from trauma, then it might be the right type of therapy for you.

Now, on to choosing the right trauma therapist in Houston.

Go with someone whom you feel will listen to you, guide you and will match your general vibe. Ensure that they actually do have training in some type of modality that deals with trauma.

Before selecting a therapist, go through their website, ask to schedule a consultation call so that you can get a sense of their personality. Because if it’s not a cultural fit, it just won’t work. 

What do I mean by cultural fit?

For example, when working with me, I literally don’t care how you dress. Show up in a bonnet, a blanket and some pajamas, and I’m fine, as long as you are cozy.

I also inject a lot of slang, laughter and lightness into sessions. Sure we’re working on trauma, but we have to live right? Yup! I also understand the unique needs of immigrants, Christian women, first gen folks and highly sensitive people. So I weave all of this into my work with you.


Ready to take the next step in your healing journey with a trauma therapist in Houston? Click here to book your free consult call for brainspotting trauma therapy and reclaim your life today!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

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4 Sneaky ways in which trauma affects your life (And how to kick it in the butt)

Trauma.

1 huge horrific word.

It’s the boogie man in the closet that you do not speak of for fear that it will eat you up. It’s the thing that has you in a chokehold so you feel like you can’t breathe.

You think you can ignore those horrible things that happened to you and around you, but little do you know that trauma is indeed affecting you.

Trauma.

1 huge horrific word.

It’s the boogie man in the closet that you do not speak of for fear that it will eat you up. It’s the thing that has you in a chokehold so you feel like you can’t breathe.

You think you can ignore those horrible things that happened to you and around you, but little do you know that trauma is indeed affecting you.

Here are 4 sneaky ways that trauma affects your life.

1) You avoid CERTAIN situations, people, places and things

When you go through a traumatic event, you get the idea that anything to do with that event is a red flag. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, every time you go to that specific street, or you see a reminder of the event, you might feel your chest tighten or your palms get sweaty.

At first it seems unproblematic, but over time it begins to get in the way. To use the car crash example, it might stop you from driving altogether. And then you have to start asking for rides, using rideshare programs or walking everywhere (which we know is rough in the Houston summers).

Or maybe you went through a traumatic experience due to being attacked. Every time you see someone who resembles or sounds like the assailant, you might freeze or feel the need to run or fight.

It makes complete sense. Your body is just really trying to protect you.

2) You see danger everywhere you go

Trauma really has you protecting yourself- even when there is no need to actually protect yourself. You might have walked through the world feeling excited and carefree, but trauma changes that.

Suddenly you find yourself feeling closed off in new friendships. Everyone becomes a suspect. You learn how to build a solid wall, but you don’t know how to knock the wall down when you need to have loved ones peek through.

You become a much more hardened version of who you used to be.

And sometimes you see physical danger when you go around. You think so much more about protecting your body and your personal space. It’s exhausting.

3) It haunts your dreams. Literally

Sometimes trauma continues to nag at you- even in your dreams. You spend the entire day feeling happy, and then you shut your eyes, only for trauma to start bothering you.

You might see yourself running away from something or someone. Or you might find yourself revisiting what happened over and over again.

4) You become super defensive or aggressive

Trauma at first makes you feel weak, taken advantage of and small. And so to compensate for this lack, you might become aggressive. Or you might assume people are trying to hurt you, so you defend yourself. Your walls are up, and you might start to get snappy at people. The idea might be, “I don’t need anyone. Let me hurt them before they hurt me.”

Now this keeps you protected, but it also prevents intimacy and closeness.

The good thing is that trauma does not have to ruin your life.

How to kick trauma in the butt

  • The first step to kicking trauma’s butt is to take a look inward to see if you are indeed ready to do the work. Trauma therapy isn’t for the faint of heart.

  • If you realize that you are ready to work through your trauma, find yourself a great trauma therapist in Houston. One whose style matches your personality and your goals.

  • Figure out what style of therapy you want. There is basically talk therapy and non talk therapy. Talk therapy will have you doing a play by play of the trauma and talking through it. But my favorite is- brainspotting trauma therapy . This is a non traditional style of therapy in which we utilize your eye movements to help you access the deeper layers of your brain where trauma and big emotions live. Once we successfully do that, your body takes care of the rest. Brainspotting is basically the cousin on EMDR.

Neve heard of brainspotting trauma therapy in Houston? Watch my videos below.

What exactly is brainspoting?

How does brainspotting work?

If you are ready to stop letting trauma control your life, click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation call for brainspotting trauma therapy in Houston.


About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

Read More

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