Tarah Hipple-Thomas, LMSW, LICSW, CCTP

I offer individual therapy for adults navigating the long-term effects of trauma, especially those who experienced an overwhelming event as a child or emotional, physical, or sexual abuse in childhood. I know how deeply trauma can shape the nervous system, relationships, and sense of self, and I also know that healing is possible, even after years of surviving in silence.

My clients are often thoughtful, resilient people who have tried for years to “just move on” or “push through” their pain. Many are high functioning on the outside, but inside feel stuck, exhausted, overwhelmed with emotions or thoughts, or disconnected. Some experience flashbacks or nightmares, while others carry a vague sense that something isn’t right. It’s common for my clients to describe feeling overwhelmed with sudden emotion, or feeling "flat", like they're not feeling at all.

That sense of disconnection, what we call dissociation, isn’t something wrong with you. In fact, it’s often a deeply wise and adaptive response that helped you survive overwhelming experiences. Dissociation shows up in many forms: feeling numb or foggy, forgetting chunks of time, losing your sense of identity, or switching between parts that hold different emotions or memories. It can be confusing, even scary at times—but with the right support, you can come to understand it and work with it, not against it.

In our work together, I provide a steady and grounded presence as we make sense of your experiences. I offer psychoeducation to help you better understand the symptoms you’re experiencing, why they make sense in the context of trauma, and how they’re showing up in your nervous system today. We’ll explore your inner world at a pace that feels safe for you. I’ll support you in strengthening internal communication and building trust within your system, especially if parts hold conflicting needs or are unsure about therapy.

My approach blends trauma-focused, somatic, and relational therapies. I draw from models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, polyvagal theory, and mindfulness-based practices. I also incorporate somatic resourcing—helping you feel more connected to your body and present moment safety, especially when the past feels too close. We’ll explore grounding skills, nervous system regulation, and tools that help you find stability, even during difficult moments.

I don’t believe in rushing through the healing process. Trauma therapy isn’t about diving into memories before you’re ready; it’s about creating enough internal and external safety so that your system knows it doesn’t have to hold everything alone anymore. Together, we’ll work gently and collaboratively to process the memories, beliefs, and sensations that have been held in the body for far too long.

I also recognize that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. Your goals, your timeline, your story: they matter. Whether you’re just starting to explore what happened, or you’ve been on this path for years and are ready to go deeper, our work together will honor your pace and your inner wisdom.

Many of my clients live with complex PTSD, dissociative symptoms, or formal dissociative disorders, including DID. I welcome all parts to therapy (yes, even the ones that are unsure, skeptical, or afraid). My goal is to create a space where every part of your system can feel seen and supported.

Therapy with me is relational and collaborative. I’ll be by your side as you build trust in yourself, learn new ways to cope, and begin to reconnect with parts that you may have lost touch with along the way. Healing from trauma doesn’t mean forgetting or pretending the past didn’t happen. It means reclaiming your life in the present, moment by moment, with compassion, clarity, and courage.

If you’ve been feeling like no one really understands what you’re going through, or like you’ve had to hide your pain to get through the day, I want you to know you’re not alone. You deserve support that honors the depth of what you’ve been through and the strength it’s taken to survive.

You are not broken. You are doing what you were wired to do to stay alive. And now, you deserve to feel safe in your own body and your own life.

If this resonates with you, I’d be honored to walk with you on your healing journey.

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