Ashley Schenkel, M.S.         Therapy for Couples & Individuals
949-547-9268

For Therapists

Do you work with trauma survivors, either individually or in groups?

 

I'd like to offer couples therapy to assist your clients in overcoming trauma (in addition to the individual work you are doing with your client).  Many trauma symptoms decrease after effective therapy, only to later rise up again in the context of an intimate relationship, when a survivor begins to risk emotional engagement with his/her partner.


I specialize in couples/marital therapy, using Emotionally Focused Therapy, an empirically supported approach with significant, long-lasting results.  Research studies show that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery, and approximately 90% show significant improvements.


My approach mirrors the course of individual therapy for trauma in many ways:

(1) Stabilization and de-escalating negative relational cycles, to creating new interactions

(2) Increasing the bond between the couple, allowing the survivor to use his/her partner as an ally at his/her side to fight the memories, feelings, and helplessness, to seek comfort from a partner

(3) Consolidating and integrating changes experienced

 

I'll work together with the treatment approaches you have in place, and consultation will be the cornerstone of our treatment to coordinate therapies.