Linda K. Laffey
Marriage and Family Therapist
License# MFC 37134



Encino  (818) 591-2989         Westlake Village  (805) 375-5860
Resolving Trauma, Abuse, and Reducing Stress
Do You Feel Trapped By Painful Emotions From Your Past?
Is the Pain Preventing You From Enjoying Your Life?
Perhaps you can relate to one or more of the following symptoms of
unresolved trauma or abuse:
If you can relate to any of these feelings and experiences, you do not need to go on
living this way.  Unresolved trauma or abuse is often at the root of these problems,
and the good news is that counseling can be a great solution.
Types of Trauma That Can Be Resolved Through Counseling and Therapy
Trauma can be divided into two categories, “Big T” traumas, and “Little t” traumas.
“Big T” traumas include major events, such as:
“Little t” traumas are more subtle in nature, often misconstrued as
insignificant, and can have a long- term negative impact on your sense of well-
being.  They may include:
Understanding Trauma and Its Effects
Traumatic memories are stored in their own separate part of the brain, known as the
limbic system or emotional brain.  If unresolved, both big “T” traumas and little “t”
traumatic memories are stored in the limbic system, and can be “triggered” or re-
activated by current events.  For example, if you experienced intense pain from being
rejected by a parent in the past, you may notice those same painful feelings resurfacing
when you’re feeling rejected by your spouse or a close friend.  The feelings may be
familiar even though you may be unaware of events in your past where you felt the
same. The longer these traumatic memories go unresolved, the more entrenched they
become, and the more intense the pain when they are re-activated.
It’s Never Too Late to Resolve Trauma and Abuse.  You Can Make Positive
Changes in Your Life Through Counseling.
Thanks to years of ongoing brain research, we now have therapy and counseling
approaches that can successfully target and treat trauma. In the past decade, these new
therapy approaches have transformed the field of trauma therapy.  Clients who have
experienced trauma are finding that their symptoms are being resolved through
counseling in a way that was not possible before.

Imagine how light and free you would feel if you could release the emotional heaviness
attached to your traumatic memories that have
been the source of your recurring pain.

As a trauma specialist, I have over 6 years of advanced therapy training in methods for
resolving the pain of trauma and abuse.
Counseling with me can help you to:
With my skills, training, experience and passion for helping people free themselves
from their emotional pain from the past, along with your consistent willingness and
commitment, we can work together in counseling so that YOU can feel better about
yourself than you ever dreamed possible.
Take the First Step…
If you have suffered long enough and want to free yourself from debilitating emotional
pain now, please call my voicemail--805-375-5860 or 818-591-2989—to schedule a
no-charge 15-minute telephone consultation.  Let me know the best times to call
you back to discuss the problems you are experiencing, as well as how we can work
together to resolve them.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Linda K. Laffey, Marriage and Family Therapist
License # MFC 37134

Linda Laffey provides therapy and counseling to those who have experienced trauma or abuse in Encino
and Westlake Village, California
You feel anxious or stressed most of the time.
You are easily upset by seemingly insignificant events.
You feel sad, lonely, worthless or an absence of passion.
You experience recurring flashbacks and/or nightmares relating to a  
traumatic or abusive event.
You feel like you don’t “fit in” with most group situations, and,
consequently, you avoid them.
Your self-esteem is low, you lack self-confidence, and your fear of rejection
causes you to isolate more often than not.
You have intense fear of being humiliated, criticized, ridiculed or
embarrassed.
You avoid pain through overworking, alcohol or drug abuse, relationship
addiction or other compulsive behaviors.
You experience extreme performance or test anxiety.
You are physically present, but mentally and emotionally you feel like you
are “somewhere else”.
You are disappointed in the results from previous therapy experiences that
gave you partial or no relief, leaving you feeling even more discouraged.
The harder you try to talk yourself out of these feelings, the stronger and
more debilitating they become.  
Severe physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Death of a loved one.
Automobile or other type of accident.
Major illness, injury or chronic health problem.
Surgeries and other invasive medical procedures.
Abandonment or rejection by a parent or significant other.
A painful relationship breakup often involving deep betrayal.
Experiencing or witnessing a violent crime or involved in military combat.
Experiencing a natural disaster such as an earthquake.
Ongoing, pervasive neglect by a parent or caregiver.
Experiencing painful or hostile family relationships as a child or adult.
Never “measuring up” to the unrealistic expectations of a parent.
Constant criticism or ridicule by an authority figure.
Being shunned or ignored by an important person.
Humiliation by a friend, family member, teacher, etc.
Embarrassment, harassment (bullying) or abuse by a co-worker or boss.
Anxiety about a traumatic event experienced by a loved one.
Chronic physical pain.
Feel more comfortable and relaxed in every area of your life.
Experience increased self-esteem and confidence.
Feel free from pain from your past, and have a more positive outlook on life.
Say good-bye to addictive and compulsive behaviors.
Experience more fulfilling and satisfying relationships.
Become passionate about your life.
Feel safe and experience the world as a friendly place.
Move forward with more energy and joy as you achieve your life goals.