Q: What is your philosophy of trauma work? (premises or beliefs or assumptions...)

Michael: I believe that trauma is stored in the body and mind restricting us from being and acting like the person we believe ourselves to be. I believe that trauma can be experienced cognitively, emotionally, and sensory with a disconnect between each of those experiences.

Q: What tools or approaches do you usually take when working with trauma? 

Michael: I work with a somatic and mindful based approach undergirded with Narrative Therapy practices. Emotional understanding informs the work while identity work helps carve a path away from the trauma saturated story that is disrupting the client's life.

Q: What are clients surprised by in their session / by your letters / in working with you?

Michael: Clients are surprised with the autonomy and respect in which I treat their trauma stories. I never ask questions about the trauma because I believe I do not need to know the details in order to help the client find healing. 

Q: How do you know when trauma counselling has been successful?

Trauma counselling has been successful when we can shift the narrative from the trauma story controlling the client to the client controlling the trauma story.