Expert Trauma Counseling Services
Compassionate trauma counseling for PTSD, anxiety, and more.
AbOUT Kelly Copley, LPC, CCTP-II
Experienced Counseling
With over 16 years of experience as a trauma counselor, I specialize in providing expert counseling services. My expertise includes complex trauma counseling, depression, anxiety, and women's health, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental wellness. From domestic violence, war, hostage/ prisoners of war, sexual assault, and childhood abuse you are treated with compassion and expert care on your journey of healing.
Other conditions treated include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic Illness
- Substance Use
- Work stress
Treatment Approaches
Treatment Modalities Utilized:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Somatic Therapies
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Person Centered Therapy
- Psychoeducation on the impact of trauma on the nervous system
Resources
EMDR Therapy
Stellate Ganglion Block
Stellate Ganglion Block
Stellate Ganglion Block
Stellate Ganglion Block
Stellate Ganglion Block
Professional SeRVICES FOR MEDICAL TRAUMA
What is medical trauma?
Medical Gaslighting
A Psychoeducational Guide for Clients
Understanding the Experience
Medical gaslighting occurs when a patient’s symptoms or lived experience are dismissed, minimized, or attributed to psychological causes without sufficient medical evaluation. While often unintentional, the emotional and relational impact can be profound.
It frequently involves overreliance on normal test results, premature attribution to stress or anxiety, and insufficient exploration of differential diagnoses.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
• Erosion of self-trust and doubt in one’s own body
• Heightened anxiety and hypervigilance
• Shame and internalized messages of being 'dramatic' or 'difficult'
• Trauma responses, including avoidance of medical settings
• Grief related to delayed diagnosis or changes in identity and functioning
Therapeutic Focus Areas
Validation: Reinforce that symptoms are real even when answers are unclear.
Interoceptive Rebuilding: Support mindful awareness of body sensations without catastrophizing.
Cognitive Work: Address internalized blame and challenge distorted narratives.
Trauma Processing: When indicated, process invalidating encounters using trauma-informed modalities.
Advocacy Skills: Role-play appointments, develop written symptom summaries, and rehearse assertive communication.
Empowering Language for Appointments
• 'These symptoms are significantly affecting my daily functioning.'
• 'What is our differential diagnosis at this point?'
• 'If this continues, what is our next step?'
• 'Can you explain your reasoning for ruling that out?'
Reminder: Normal test results do not equal imaginary suffering. Advocacy is not aggression. Seeking clarity is responsible self-care.
Information for Physicians and Other Providers
Reducing Medical Gaslighting
A Trauma-Informed and Reflective Guide for Healthcare Providers
Why This Matters Clinically
Patient dismissal is associated with delayed diagnosis, increased healthcare avoidance, reduced adherence, and heightened anxiety or trauma responses. Patients tolerate uncertainty far better than invalidation. Validation does not require diagnostic certainty.
Systemic and Cognitive Contributors
Time Pressure: Short appointments increase reliance on heuristics.
Overreliance on Objective Data: Normal labs may narrow thinking prematurely.
Implicit Bias: Gender, race, weight, and psychiatric history can unconsciously influence clinical judgment.
Diagnostic Anchoring: Early impressions may prevent reconsideration as new information emerges.
Discomfort with Uncertainty: Providers may unintentionally close cases too quickly.
High-Risk Scenarios for Dismissal
• Chronic pain without clear imaging findings
• Complex multisystem symptoms
• Patients with prior psychiatric diagnoses
• Conditions historically under-recognized (e.g., autoimmune or autonomic disorders)
• Patients who appear highly informed or persistent
Language Shifts That Preserve Trust
Instead of: 'Your tests are normal.'
Try: 'Current testing hasn’t identified the cause yet. Here’s what we’ve ruled out and what remains possible.'
Instead of: 'It’s probably anxiety.'
Try: 'Anxiety can influence symptoms. I also want to ensure we’re not missing a medical contributor.'
Instead of: 'There’s nothing wrong.'
Try: 'I believe you’re experiencing real symptoms. Let’s create a plan moving forward.'
Trauma-Informed Clinical Practices
• Sit at eye level and avoid standing over patients
• Begin with open-ended questions before reviewing the chart
• Reflect back key concerns to demonstrate listening
• Explain diagnostic reasoning transparently
• Offer follow-up plans rather than premature closure
• Document patient-reported concerns clearly
Reflective Practice Questions
• Would I respond differently if this patient were a family member?
• Have I explained why I am ruling something out?
• Am I influenced by prior chart language?
• What uncertainty am I uncomfortable holding?
• Have I created a clear contingency plan?
Professional Reminder: Validation strengthens therapeutic alliance, reduces liability risk, and enhances long-term treatment adherence. Patients rarely remember lab values — they remember how they were treated.
Written by Kelly Copley, LPC, CCTP-II
Licensed Professional Counselor/ Advanced Certified Clinical Trauma Provider