Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Salem, UT

We often don’t have the understanding why we feel so separate from ourselves, the struggle to understand what’s happening within & around us, feeling lost trying to navigate the complexity of life. We need a space to explore this. Golden Horse Counseling’s purpose is to create a space for healing, a place where we can learn to fully connect to ourselves. Our intent is never to fix our clients' problems but rather to provide a space where they can explore and create lasting change. We recognize the profound impact this healing process has, and create space for clients to rewrite their stories, gather the reins, & gallop forward.

Life can be hard with feelings of depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma. I know that it can often feel overwhelming, and it is easy to feel stuck. I also know that by being heard and validated, by learning new strategies to cope, and by understanding how trauma impacts each of us, that life can get better and can be rewarding. You don't have to be defined by your past and there is always hope for better days. At Best Life Therapy I want to help you understand who you are, that you have value, and that you matter.

My therapy practice is motivated by a passion for helping others find hope and healing. Through your journey of healing, I will meet you where you are and help you take steps to reach your goals. In over 13 years of practice, I have assisted people from diverse backgrounds learn skills to assist with depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, grief & loss, marriage, divorce and other difficult circumstances. I speak Spanish and have been blessed to speak with people in their native language. I am currently seeing people in person and online.

I love being able to connect with others and I believe that I have a nurturing personality which can help put others at ease while validating their life experiences. I love being able to see growth and empowerment with individuals. I have worked in diverse settings which have included a residential addiction treatment center, a metro jail, community mental health and a mid-size counseling agency.

Religious trauma. Spiritual abuse. Religious deconstruction. Recovery from purity culture. I have specialized in women with complex trauma for the last eight years, and in the last few years have added a religious trauma certification (from GCRR) to my list of specialties. Like other forms of trauma, religious trauma often manifests as anxiety, depression, and troubled relationships. I mostly work with women, but I am an ally to the LGBTQ community as well. My goal for my clients is to help them untangle the web of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that keep them feeling stuck.

I enjoy being a part of people's therapeutic space whether it is in individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy. Helping people work through their hardest moments and seeing them heal is the most rewarding part of my work.

You've been pushing along for so long, just trying to get by. Struggling with managing your emotions, you find yourself withdrawing, having less patience for those you are closest to. Perhaps being intimate and close with your partner feels impossible, or is painful and unfulfilling. You've noticed yourself questioning if those difficult experiences you thought you had dealt with are actually impacting you. What you are feeling is valid and deserves a space to be heard and healed. Each person's path to wholeness is unique. Let's help you heal, feel more connected, and find the peace you deserve.

Do you wonder if you will ever feel like enough? Do you struggle with oppressive perfectionism? Do you suffer from shame, fear and guilt? Do you feel like the life you want is always out of reach? Let's work together to establish a strong sense of self worth, process out traumatic experiences, and find greater hope and peace in your life. I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, faith transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, and body image issues.

I believe that all of us have a deep well of wisdom and strength within us. My role is to be a guide to help you tap into yours as we work through the journey of healing together, using a collaborative approach. I specialize in trauma, bereavement, relationship struggles and perinatal health. In my prior work as a birth doula, I had experience in supporting families and helping them navigate the time period around pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond.

One of my goals with therapy is to help others find meaning in their lives. It can be difficult when one feels as if they are not healthy emotionally or mentally. I work to have a good natured approach and strong connection that can help me assist clients in finding positive aspects in themselves and in building resiliency and strength. I have worked with a wide-ranging populace of clients and have expertise in working with trauma. I believe that the key to good therapy is the relationship, and I am a person-centered therapist, yet I work with any different modalities, depending on each individuals needs.

Walking through the therapy door to spill your guts to a stranger can be terrifying! I've been there, so I use a humanistic and strengths-based approach as a therapist. I know that safety and connection are vital to healing and growing so I work at the pace my clients lead. I support you in connecting mind and body, living your authentic self, and creating meaningful connections with others. Whether you are dealing with difficult circumstances, emotions, dark thoughts or relationships, I know you are innately good and I try to see the whole you. Trauma-informed methods are key to restore you to optimal functioning.

The phoenix is a mythical bird that has appeared in many traditions and cultures. It has been known for the power to be reborn and regenerate from the ashes making it a symbol of renewal. Our nervous system, from brain to body, can do something similar by a process known as neuroplasticity. Our brain cells can each have anywhere from 10-10,000 brain cell connections. Not only can new brain cells be created but we can develop, regulate, and integrate those connections in more helpful ways through evidence-based treatments. Like a healing phoenix, you can learn to heal, regenerate, and help others do the same.

Our relationships matter more than anything else in life. For you, this may (or may not) include a spouse or partner, children, friends, community and/or a relationship with a higher power. These kinds of meaningful connections are imperative to our happiness and well-being. The key? Thriving relationships require a healthy relationship with yourself. With compassion, kindness, and a hint of humor, I can guide you in building a better understanding of the unique person you are, help you identify what you want and need, teach you skills and strategies for success, and support you in personal transformation.

One of my deepest held beliefs is that, in general, everyone is doing the best they can in life with what they currently believe to be true. Rather than feeling judged or ashamed of one's personal life struggles, people need to feel supported through being offered new ideas and by being reminded of their own inborn, unwavering worth. In my therapy practice, I strive to help others reconnect with that worth and with their own personal value system that their hearts know to be true. We are all students of life and we are all still learning.

Life can get so overwhelming. Stress, pain, frustration, and loneliness can be debilitating. Looking for a reprieve from what life is throwing at you? Wanting a solution that doesn't seem to be there? I provide a Person-Centered, Solution Focus Therapy to assist you in this difficult process of regaining control and structure in your life. We will start with an intake session to verify that you will be getting what you want and need at this time in your life.