Emily Van Horn Trauma Healing

Forty minutes into my second session with Emily, a Somatic Trauma Resolution Therapist, I was gobsmacked! I don't know how else to put it and not use profanity. I was having trouble believing that I felt so much better after such little time with a therapist! I wanted to cry just thinking about all the inadequate, substandard mental health care I had to go through over the last few years and the pain and suffering that went unchecked because of it. Somatic Trauma Resolution Therapy is the real deal, folks. I'm living proof.

I grew up in a house filled with rage, abuse, neglect, and heartache. It set the tone for a pretty miserable life. When you lack the ability to self-regulate because of this kind of developmental trauma, then nothing works. You have serious problems in all aspects of your life whether it be social, financial, health, etc. After living five decades that way, my life went from hell to "I don't even have a name for it". Three years ago, I lost my dear mother in a most heinous way. I could hear her screams in my head everyday afterwards. Can you imagine that for a minute? Also very traumatizing was the fact that my wife and I are getting a divorce. And I lost two beloved dogs. Soon, I could no longer function or cope with everyday issues and lost my business as well. I lost hope for ever being happy and a functional human being again. Dark times. Very, very dark times.

The day before I called Emily, I considered committing myself to a psychiatric hospital. I hurt so bad, for so long; I was simply "done". I actually googled what was considered a "psychiatric emergency". If you think you are going to hurt someone or yourself, get help. If you can't feed, bathe, or dress yourself, get help. I just wanted to die, that's all. I found Emily on a therapist search site while specifically looking for someone who focused on severe trauma. I left a message for her the next morning.

That has to be the most important, life-changing call I've made in my 52 years on this planet. After leaving a message explaining how bad I was hurting, she called me back at once. At 5pm that day, I had my first somatic trauma resolution therapy session. I was nervous about going in and reliving some events that normally leave me on the floor in tears. Emily never let that happen. As a highly skilled STR therapist, she knows how to gently guide you through those truly dark, gut-wrenching events and take the charge out of them, rendering them much less painful and debilitating. I've thrown so many negatives at her and reasons why I "can't"; yet she always leads me through the negativity and on to believing in myself again every time. She empowered me to want to get better.

After six visits, I am now slowly but surely taking over my life again. The darkness and despair are fading away after each session. I'm able to keep my place in order, do laundry, eat at least one healthy meal a day, and stay on top of my responsibilities in general. My relationship with my wife is healing and much improved. Even my two remaining dogs are more happy and relaxed to see me now. I went for a drive the other day to see wildflowers. It was the first time I did not go for a drive to "escape" in years. I went because I found joy in doing so. Folks, for me that is huge.

If you or someone you know is hurting and having trouble coping and self-regulating, then please consider Somatic Trauma Resolution Therapy. If you are in SoCal, then let Emily help you. I cannot imagine anyone doing this any better than her. You will not regret it, I guarantee it!