A Warm Welcome to You
Can you benefit from a Trauma-informed Therapist Even if You Don’t Think You Have Trauma?
A trauma-informed therapist is aware of the complex impact of trauma (what the person perceives as trauma) on a person’s suffering and their efforts to cope. Not everyone knows about the benefits of having a trauma-informed therapist. Often times, new clients may not identify themselves as trauma survivors. They may not mention any significant traumatic event in their lives, such as a natural disaster, physical or sexual assault, major medical trauma, car accident, or any other single event trauma. It’s possible they may not meet all the criteria for what the DSM-5 identifies as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Instead, they often notice chronic depression or anxiety, racing thoughts, difficulties in relationships, and perhaps avoidance of people, places, and activities because of unease. Traumatic experiences are associated with a higher lifetime prevalence of chronic physical health conditions as well. This is especially true for untreated childhood trauma. They may have seen a therapist for depression, anger, panic attacks, feeling stuck in life, job issues, relationship problems. And yet, they continue to not feel like they’re making any progress. Does this sound familiar?
How is a Trauma-informed Therapist Different?
A trauma-informed therapist has an understanding of trauma, how it impacts the body, the mind, and behavior. How the brain becomes hard-wired and associations are formed that cause us to respond in a rigid automatic survival driven manner, rather than how we would want to respond. A trauma-informed therapist understands that it is not that we “don’t” but often times that we “can’t” due to our own body/brain response. A trauma-informed therapist works with you on the underlying issues that are driving the pain and behaviors. The trauma-informed therapist works through these underlying issues in a safe and compassionate manner to allow for externalizing, containment, meaning-making, and integration of the experience.
Therapists offering trauma-informed care prioritize six key principles according to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):
- Safety
- Trustworthiness and Transparency
- Peer support
- Collaboration and mutuality
- Empowerment, voice and choice
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Even if a client isn’t seeking trauma-informed care, there is benefit from a therapist who is trained in this approach. A trauma-informed therapist utilizes therapies that are evidence based, emphasis on safety, and the client having control of their treatment. A trauma-informed therapist moves away from “problem” which may lead a client to feel there is something wrong with them, instead the focus is on understanding where their behavior is coming from (or what happened to them). A trauma-informed therapist takes a wholeness approach.
Meet Tina
I received my masters in clinical mental health counseling from Oregon State University-Cascades (2020). I also hold a bachelors degree in nursing in (1990) and a bachelors in psychology in (1991). As a psychiatric nurse, I worked with adolescents and adults having comorbid diagnosis (e.g., addictions, PTSD, complex trauma) in treatment centers. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to work directly with people in a counseling capacity. Additional experience includes over 30 years as a yoga practitioner and 10 years as a meditation teacher. As a practitioner I wanted to bring what I learned from my yoga practice and meditation (awareness of body and mind) into my counseling therapies. I am certified in the trauma-informed approach called Becoming Safely Embodied (BSE), a somatic-based mindfulness approach developed by Dierdre Fay LICSW. I am also trained as an EMDR therapist. I have completed Janina Fisher’s Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) Levels 1, 2, and 3. I’m a certified TIST therapist. As a trauma-informed therapist, I combine experiences and training to provide a gentle, safe, and an effective approach for healing trauma, decreasing anxiety, coping with stress, improving self-esteem, and moving through life transitions.
My primary approach integrates Somatic-based Mindfulness, TIST, Parts Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and EMDR. I also utilize Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Post-traumatic Growth, Person Centered, and other humanistic approaches.
Tina Hamilton MS, BSN, RN (ret), Professional Counselor Associate
Website is still under construction. Links to blog and additional information coming soon! Last updated 3/10/2023
Please scroll down for fees and insurance information
Meet Michiko – Michiko is a 3-year-old Bengal in training for Animal Assist Therapy (AAT). Michiko is a trauma survivor and now thriver who lives an energetic and joyful life. She will be a wonderful assist in working with trauma, anxiety, and grief counseling.
Please visit my blog for additional information on trauma, LGBTQIA, atheist issues, and more.
My Specialty Areas
My specialties are in working with survivors of domestic violence, adults who are survivors of childhood abuse, cult survivors and religious trauma syndrome, LGBTQI, transgender, secular grief counseling, and atheists who are in the process of “coming out.” I work with people who have left their religious beliefs and are struggling with loss of community and disconnect from family resulting in depression and other difficulties. Also, anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
1-hour session
$100
90-minute session
$125
I can be found on Open Path for Sliding Scale
$40-$70
*Now accepting Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Open Card
**I can be found on Open Path the Psychotherapy Collective a nonprofit where clients can find therapists that offer a sliding scale ranging from $40 – $70
https://openpathcollective.org/clinicians/tina-hamilton/
I accept cash, check, or most credit cards. Payment required at the time of service.
I can provide a receipt which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company to see services your insurance covers.
Tina Hamilton Counseling
During this time of Covid-19 precautions, offering HIPPA compliant Telehealth sessions (video face-to-face call or phone) anywhere in Oregon.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact:
thamilton.advocacy@gmail.com
Office
Redmond, OR 97756
- Monday
- 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday
- 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Tina Hamilton Counseling 