growth

I S I N Y O U R

hands

Welcome

Karen Heffernan, PhD


I specialize in working with adults who have experienced trauma of various kinds in childhood or adulthood. I have worked for many years with women and men who have experienced childhood sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or adult sexual assault. Recurring thoughts and images about your trauma, or less conscious feelings such as fear and worthlessness, or difficulties letting anyone get close, can persist, even if it happened long ago. My focus in therapy is to help you work through these experiences so they no longer prevent you from living more fully in your present life.

In our work together, it is my hope to offer you a safe place to be in touch with feelings that have been too hard to bear alone. You may have tried 'talking' about your difficulties before, without finding the change you seek. Or you might say, "I get it, I know why I feel this way, but how do I change it, how do I feel different?" Advances in psychotherapy have made us aware of the importance of focussing on the emotions and bodily experience as key places in which trauma is stored. Together, we will gently open shut-down places, and calm reactive ones, so that your energies can be re-directed into living.

We are committed to your privacy. Do not include confidential or private information regarding your health condition in this form or any other form found on this website. This form is for general questions or messages to the practitioner.