Services
Trauma Therapy
We utilize a variety of effective trauma treatment approaches, including EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Art Therapy
Trauma occurs when a
person’s capacity to cope is exceeded during or surrounding an extremely distressing event or ongoing conditions. These exposures can have lasting adverse effects on mental, physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being.
At times it’s relatively easy to pinpoint the source of the trauma; however, many times it’s quite a process to sort through one’s experiences and symptoms. While an individual can have lasting trauma from a car accident or active duty in the military, there are many conditions that can be traumatizing and may be more subtle in one’s memory. Complex trauma refers to someone’s everyday experiences being traumatic, typically in childhood, and therefore normalized, versus a traumatic experience being an exceptionally abnormal event in life. The person learns to adapt to traumatic environments and struggles to navigate normal conditions.
Experiences that can be associated with trauma:
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
Intimate partner abuse
Childhood neglect
Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders
Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one
Poverty, homelessness or food scarcity
Medical Trauma
Natural disasters
Bullying
Racism, discrimination, and oppression
Violence in the community, war, or terrorism
Trauma Therapy
These traumatic experiences can result in a variety of symptoms including impaired learning and memory, increased anxiety and depression, reduced attention control, hyperawareness of one’s surroundings, mental illness, difficulty experiencing joy, chronic illness, difficulty understanding how to respond to situations, relationship problems, dissociation, and increased likelihood of substance use. Our therapists work with clients to create a customized treatment path to recovering from trauma and moving forward integrating your experiences and meeting your needs effectively. It’s not necessary for an individual to relive every detail of their trauma in order to experience significant healing.
Trauma therapy approaches:
01 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapeutic tool discovered and developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD. The process utilizes Rapid Eye Movements, such as those innate to the brain during REM sleep. These Eye Movements help to unlock the brain’s natural “information processing system” which Dr. Shapiro believes becomes overwhelmed when a person experiences trauma.
EMDR facilitates a natural and rapid integration of the traumatic memory, and as a result, the person is able to perceive the event and its associated experiences as being “in the past.” The process also helps shift the cognitive distortions originally associated with the experience (“I’m not good enough,” “I am permanently damaged,” “I should have done something” etc) to a more adaptive belief (“I did the best I could,” “I now have choices”).
02 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a trauma treatment, developed by Pat Ogden, PhD, that combines psychotherapy and somatic (body oriented) therapy. Traumatic experiences can cause a disconnect between the body and the mind, leaving a person experiencing much distress in multiple ways. SP functions to heal trauma through reconnecting body, emotional, and cognitive experience using a three-phase treatment approach of Safety and Stabilization, Processing, and Integration.
03 Art Therapy
In art therapy, individuals are encouraged to explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through various art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage.
The goal of art therapy is not necessarily to create “artistic” or visually pleasing works, but rather to use the creative process as a means of communication and self-discovery. Through creating art, individuals can gain insights into their emotions, develop coping skills, increase self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Mosaic Life Podcast
Episode 119: Will Randle – Dissociative Identity Disorder & Our Ever-Changing Understanding of Mental Health
Our Trauma Therapists
We are proud to have a team of compassionate, empathetic and highly trained clinicians here at Columbus Counseling Group. Each therapist has their own unique approach but they all utilize evidence-based techniques to best guide you on your own journey.
Kevin Hamm, LPCC-S
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety disorders, complex trauma and despression, impulse control issues, anger management, consultation
Kevin is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Kevin is a leading expert in treating Borderline Personality Disorder having been one of the first therapists in Columbus to become intensively trained. He is also an EMDRIA approved consultant and is available for professional consultation.
Danuta van Beystervelt, LPCC-S
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety disorders, trauma disorders, depressive disorders adjustment and relationship issues, coping skill development
Danuta is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), in levels I and II of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). She works with adults and is able to establish strong and easy rapport with her clients. She has experience with and is comfortable treating people from a variety of lifestyles and cultural backgrounds.
Cheryl Hamilton, LPCC
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, DBT for friends and family, consultation
Cheryl is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a diverse background spanning private practice, Community Mental Health, Juvenile Probation, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Over nearly two decades, she has refined her expertise Specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and undergoing extensive training and consultation to provide top-tier treatment. Additionally, she integrates EMDR and Somatic modalities, particularly in treating trauma. Her approach involves teaching individuals how to integrate information effectively through acquiring new skills, engaging in novel experiences, and exploring concepts from fresh perspectives. Her therapeutic style is light, genuine, witty, authentic, validating, direct and non-judgmental.
William Randle, LISW-S
SPECIALTIES — Sensorimotor and Somatic Psychotherapy, Post-traumatic Stress Disorders, Dissociation and Dissociative disorders, eating disorders, depression and anxiety, treatment failure, consultation
Will grounds his understanding of how people work — and how they heal — in human physiology & Buddhist practices more than in traditional psychology. Adverse experiences affect people physically and emotionally, often beneath language’s ability to express. Buddhism studies the mind on a practical, personal level, and the practices can be of benefit regardless of religion or spiritual belief. Will works with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples.
Katie Hertert, MSW, LISW-S
SPECIALTIES — Substance use disorders, EMDR, trauma treatment, shame resilience
Katie (Kathleen) Hertert is passionate about joining every client on their unique recovery journey. Katie has worked with individuals struggling with opioid use disorder in medicated assisted treatment collaboration for the past 7 years. This includes veterans and adults in a clinic setting. Katie loves working with adults of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations, and especially young adults, mothers, individuals, and couples.
Alicia Streicher Miller, LPCC
SPECIALTIES — Grief, anxiety, depression, sexual abuse survivors, adolescent and parental dynamics, marital infidelity, adoption identity issues, interracial family dynamics
Alicia is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who is experienced with individuals, adolescents, families, and couples. She focuses on the whole person, not simply the symptoms, and examines the individual’s support systems, community, spirituality, and work-rest rhythms. Alicia utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, and Narrative Therapy while giving her client tools to help process and cope with their experiences while creating new systems and rhythms.
Hannah Ernst, MA, LPCC
SPECIALTIES — Eating disorders, trauma, relationship concerns, adjustment concerns, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders
Hannah’s style is warm, authentic, and person-centered and she often uses humor in her counseling style. She is passionate about tailoring treatment to her client’s needs and creating a collaborative environment based on therapeutic rapport, empathy, and direct feedback. In her work with eating disorders, Hannah practices within a health at every size framework and promotes intuitive eating, and body neutrality.
Gabrielle Brooks, LPCC, AT
SPECIALTIES — Trauma, drug and alcohol recovery, grief, surivors of human trafficking, LGBTQ+ population
Gabrielle is a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR Certified Therapist and Art Therapist. She is a Columbus native who is active and engaged within her community, as well as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Gabrielle utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, and EMDR to adapt to the needs of each client at each session. She believes in the power of creative expression and being the author of your own story as a path to healing.
Amanda Turner, LPC, NCC
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, life stressors, family and relationship tension, gender/sexual identity, and adjustments
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. Her passion is working with children, adolescents, and women who have experienced trauma and are trying to find hope, healing, and wholeness. She provides compassion, empathy, and a safe space to cultivate a collaborative therapeutic relationship with her clients. Amanda believes in the person-centered approach, looking at the whole person, and meeting the client where they are in their healing process. She takes a Strengths-Based approach and utilizes skills and techniques from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Polyvagal Theory.
Nick Gomulinski, LISW-S
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), depression, life stressors, adverse childhood experiences & trauma, addictions, anxiety
Nick is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervision designation. Nick began post-graduate work with adolescents and their families in the community, then he moved to treat adult males in a correctional setting and worked separately with individuals in a crisis center. Nick is experienced in working with adolescents, adults and families. Nick is a part of Standard Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment and consultation. He feels the positive connection and constructive feedback between client and therapist is the foundation to successful treatment. To foster this, Nick leans on DBT, Family Systems, and components of Play Therapy.
Natalie Doughty, LPCC-S
SPECIALTIES — Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, parent child and family conflicts, self esteem and self worth difficulties, trauma, PTSD
Natalie is a licensed independent counselor with 28 years experience in the mental health field. Natalie enjoys working with all age groups and populations, and provides a safe environment to facilitate a therapeutic relationship. She believes this relationship is essential and everyone is a person of worth. In her sessions she meets her clients where they are at in their journey and assists them in their healing process. She uses evidence based strategies from Cognitive Behavioral therapy along with polyvagal. She fell in love with Dialectical Behavior therapy in 2009 and has been applying skills in her sessions since then.
Meredith Thorn, LSW
SPECIALTIES — Trauma and stressor-related disorders, dissociative disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, neurodevelpmental disorders, chronic pain
Meredith specializes in complex, developmental & relational trauma and dissociation. She also specializes in adoption and enjoys working with all members of the adoption triad, recognizing that each individual has their own unique experience. She is fully trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), DBT-Informed & incorporates mindfulness, polyvagal interventions, elements of internal family systems and somatic therapy. Her practice is rooted in diversity and she is dedicated to providing gender affirming care.
Getting Started With Therapy
Whether you’re making a referral or you are ready to become a client yourself, we’ll help you to get started.
Because everyone’s situations and needs are different, we customize the onboarding of each new client. We’ll have you fill out a brief online form and we’ll reach out to get you or your referral client informed and scheduled for the first session.
