Natalie Foster
Licensed Professional Counselor
Trauma doesn't always look the way we expect it to. It can come from major or overwhelming experiences, abuse, loss, neglect, or ongoing instability. It can also develop through repeated experiences that may have seemed small at the time, times you didn't feel safe, understood, supported, or able to fully be yourself.
And sometimes, you had a loving family and a good childhood, yet you still find yourself struggling with anxiety, relationships, self-worth, boundaries, or feeling like you always have to hold everything together. You may have learned to be the responsible one, the people-pleaser, the high achiever, or the one who never needed help. Your experiences don't have to fit a certain definition of “bad enough” for them to have had an impact.
Trauma can shape the way you see yourself, your relationships, your emotions, and the world around you. You may find yourself constantly on guard, struggling to trust others, feeling disconnected from yourself, having difficulty setting boundaries, becoming easily overwhelmed, or repeating patterns you don't fully understand.
In therapy, we'll work together to understand where these patterns came from rather than simply trying to get rid of them. We'll explore the experiences and beliefs that have shaped the way you relate to yourself and others, and we'll work toward understanding the protective patterns that may have helped you at one point but aren't serving you anymore.
Together, we'll process what you've experienced, build a stronger sense of safety within yourself, and create new ways of responding to yourself, your relationships, and the challenges in your life.
The goal isn't to erase your past or prove that it was “bad enough.” It's to understand what you've carried with you, heal what still hurts, and help you move forward with greater freedom and connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy helps you understand and work through experiences that continue to affect how you feel, think, and relate to yourself and others. Trauma can influence your sense of safety, self-worth, boundaries, and relationships, sometimes long after the experience has ended. Therapy helps you make sense of these patterns, process what you've been carrying, and develop healthier ways of responding to yourself and your life.
How do I know if I have trauma?
Trauma doesn't look the same for everyone. You may experience anxiety, difficulty trusting others, people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, or a persistent feeling that you have to hold everything together. You might also notice recurring relationship patterns or beliefs that you're not enough. You don't need a formal diagnosis or a single major traumatic event to benefit from exploring how your experiences have shaped you.
Can I have trauma even if I had a good childhood?
Yes. You can have loving parents and positive childhood memories while still carrying experiences that affected your emotional development. Perhaps you felt pressure to be the responsible one, learned to hide your emotions, or didn't feel comfortable expressing your needs. Trauma and emotional wounds aren't defined solely by what happened, but also by how experiences affected your sense of safety, connection, and self-worth.
What is the difference between trauma and complex trauma?
Trauma can result from a single overwhelming experience or a series of difficult events. Complex trauma often develops through repeated or ongoing experiences, particularly when they occur in relationships where you depend on others for safety or care. These experiences can shape how you see yourself, manage emotions, establish boundaries, and connect with others. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and work toward lasting change.
What types of therapy help with trauma?
Several evidence-based approaches can help with trauma, depending on your experiences, needs, and goals. My approach may incorporate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Post Induction Therapy (PIT), and other trauma-informed approaches. Together, we'll identify what feels most appropriate for you and work at a pace that supports your sense of safety and readiness.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened to me?
No. You don't have to share every detail of your experiences to begin healing. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we'll work at a pace that feels manageable for you. The goal isn't to force you to relive painful experiences, but to help you understand and process what continues to affect you while building the resources and sense of safety you need along the way.
How long does trauma therapy take?
The length of therapy depends on your experiences, goals, and the type of support you're looking for. Some people focus on a specific experience, while others work through longstanding patterns connected to childhood, relationships, or complex trauma. I offer both traditional weekly therapy and EMDR intensives, which provide extended, focused time for trauma processing outside the traditional weekly therapy format. Intensives may be a good fit if you're looking for a more concentrated approach to your healing. We'll work together to determine the format that best supports your needs and goals, with an emphasis on meaningful, lasting change rather than rushing the process.
Can trauma therapy help with relationship problems and low self-esteem?
Yes. Past experiences can influence how you navigate relationships, respond to conflict, set boundaries, and view yourself. You may find yourself people-pleasing, fearing rejection, struggling to trust others, or feeling responsible for everyone around you. Trauma therapy can help you understand where these patterns began, work through the beliefs beneath them, and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
How do I get started with trauma therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona?
Getting started begins with a free consultation where we can discuss what brings you to therapy, what you're hoping to change, and whether working together feels like a good fit. I offer in-person therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as virtual therapy. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. We can begin with where you are today and work together toward greater understanding, connection, and lasting change.
Natalie Foster Therapy
Therapy for adults ready to heal, grow, and create lasting change in Scottsdale, Arizona.