I am the owner of Trauma Specialists, which includes 4 locations for outpatient mental health treatment, as well as a training institute where we train therapists on the best methods for treating trauma. I have 2 boys, ages 13 and 15 and I love living in a lake community. My favorite thing to do on the lake is to go paddleboarding. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, preferably in nature.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 2 boys, ages 13 and 15. My family of origin is in Colorado, where I am from.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am passionate about treating trauma. I think everyone can relate to having something stressful happen in their lives. These things actually physiologically change our brains. It takes something beyond traditional talk therapy to help someone no longer feel triggered by these events. Our practice utilizes EMDR Therapy, which offers a way to shift the way the brain stores the trauma, so a person no longer has the emotional and body responses to a trigger. If we can treat people’s traumas, we can change the way they live their lives and interact with the community! This is why we do what we do and why we train other therapists to do the same.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
7 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Maria Tryfiates Dalton. She has worked in the town of New Market and she knows so many members of the community and the ins and outs of the town. She is an amazing human being and a devoted mom. She is a lot of fun.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I think the best advice I could give would be for people to get to know themselves well. We always have ourselves and if we know ourselves we will make better decisions for our lives.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to learn how to fly a plane!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I have always loved walking around in downtown New Market. I love the buildings and the history. It is also great that we have some good restaurants to enjoy with family and friends locally!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I believe my company will continue to grow. We hope to have more locations so that we can continue to provide mental health care. We also want to grow our training institute. My kids will be out of the house by then and I would love to either live in town or live right on the water.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Once upon a time, I wanted to be a florist!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I think the most beautiful place I have ever been was Kauai. My favorite part was swimming with the sea turtles!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love July, because it is the height of summer, I love the long days, warm weather and summer activities. Christmas is my favorite holiday because I love connecting with friends and family. The best single day on the calendar has to be my birthday, since without it I would not be here!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Bourbon! I had the privilege of going to Kentucky last year and ever since I have been an avid fan of Bourbon!
Q: What person, event or experience has made the greatest impact or inspiration in your life?
My grandmother was a key person in my life. She was my number one support and always had great presence and advice for me.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would go to Vintage -yay, they are back- with Michelle Obama. I saw her speak in 2012 in Colorado and it made such an impact on me. Since then reading her book and watching her leadership, I am consistently inspired. She is an amazing woman and I would love the chance to chat with her over lunch!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
family, friends, great places
