Jocelyn Hurtienne with Retreat Counseling & Wellness, PLLC

To quote Mary Harvey, “trauma survivors have symptoms instead of memories.” In my work, I have found it is common for people to question if they are "crazy" or if something is "wrong" with them. More often than not, the answer is "no." No, you are not crazy. No, something is not wrong with you. Rather, your body has adapted to traumas and perceived threats in ways that have helped you survive over time. When we feel tense, anxious, or angry and on edge with those uncomfortable bodily responses like panic, dizziness, or shutting down, our body is talking to us. Trauma is a legacy of symptoms that keeps on giving every day.

Learning how to respond to your body's messages (symptoms) is part of the healing process and it can be confusing. My goal is to make this process less confusing, and for you to feel confident in your ability to listen to and respond to your body's attempts to take care of you. Even though it may not feel like it, you ARE wired for survival!

When we work together, I use a person-centered, trauma-focused, holistic approach to ensure our interactions are purposeful and authentic so you can begin to understand your symptoms in a different way. You will learn to stay present and to integrate your experiences. Our trauma will always be part of us, but it does not have to define us.