Trauma specialists

“We need to stop seeing people for what is wrong with them and instead ask what has happened to them.” - Gabor Mate

This quote by Dr. Mate speaks to the issues within our healthcare system, including our mental health care system, of generally focusing on managing of symptoms and blaming willpower when change proves difficult. This often leads to feelings of hopelessness and self blame which then perpetuates mental health and physical health symptoms. At Bonfire Health, we recognize that trauma and stress responses impact all aspects of our mental and physical health and often underly chronic conditions and contribute to anxiety, panic responses, mood disorders, ADHD, addiction, eating disorders, self harming behaviors, maladaptive behaviors, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, and chronic illness. We also recognize that trauma is pervasive and takes many forms including verbal and physical abuse, neglect, attachment issues, marginalization, discrimination, bullying, and any other event(s) that lead us to question our physical, social (belonging), or emotional safety. For true healing we must include trauma treatment that heals both mind and body through building strong therapeutic relationships, releasing traumatic memories, understanding and calming our nervous system responses, and finding ways to regulate inflammatory responses utilizing both trauma therapy and holistic nourishment. We believe that healing happens within relationship and therefore we emphasize a safe, secure, and nonjudgemental space in which there is freedom to speak freely and openly about experiences both outside and inside of therapy.