Professional counselors & therapists in Soldotna and Homer, Alaska, specializing in trauma counseling.
For some individuals trauma can feel like carrying a heavy weight on your shoulders that you just can't put down. Trauma happens when life experiences elude a person’s natural ability to process something in a healthy way. When someone’s system becomes so overwhelmed with threat, that their sense of safety and belonging in the world is compromised. This threat can at times be to their physical person, such as when one is in a car accident or a natural disaster. Or, it can be a mental or emotional threat, such as the loss of a loved one.
Trauma can occur in circumstances of abuse (physical, sexual, mental, emotional), when one has witnessed or been exposed to domestic violence, situations of loss or grief, car accidents, natural disasters, house fires…all kinds of things can be traumatic.
Our providers in Soldotna and Homer are adept at navigating symptoms that often result from traumatic experiences. These symptoms can include, but are not necessarily limited to; flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, fear, anxiety, mistrust, hyper-vigilance, agitation, irritability, hostility, self-destructive behaviors, social isolation, loss of interest or pleasure in activities one once enjoyed, guilt, loneliness, emotional detachment and unwanted thoughts
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Daniela Kopec - LPC-S
Daniela has over 15 years of experience working as a counselor in the mental health field. Though she has experience working with clients across the life span, she has found that she is most passionate about walking alongside those that have experienced trauma, addressing the symptoms of anxiety and depression that are often co-ocurring. Daniela believes in utilizing an integrative approach to health and wellness that looks at mind, body and spirt, and is motivated to give people the tools to develop their inner strength and confidence to make the changes they desire. Native to the Soldotna community, Daniela has called Alaska home for many years.
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Rona Haberman - LCSW
Working out of the Homer, Alaska location, Rona has been a therapist for over twenty years, in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings as well as community mental health centers. She has experience working with people from 5 to 105, but specializes in individual therapy with adults 18 years and older. Rona feels strongly that skills such as effective communication, setting healthy boundaries, and practicing mindfulness can help people thrive even through difficult circumstances past and present.
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Autumn Collings - LMFT, LPC
Autumn is passionate about showing up with others in a way that allows them to feel deeply seen and truly known. She believes authenticity and connection are at the heart of meaningful therapeutic work, and is committed to showing up honestly and inviting her clients to do the same. She loves bringing creativity to her sessions and often offers hands-on learning opportunities for her clients, something that comes naturally to her given her history of coaching softball and being a collegiate athlete. Autumn loves to be outdoors, and enjoys fishing, hiking, and hunting.
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Ally Legard - MA
Working out of the Homer office, Ally has been dedicated to serving clients in the mental health field since 2020, primarily focusing on children and adolescents. Drawing on her experience as a former Division 1 track and cross country athlete, she brings a holistic approach to counseling, addressing both mental and physical well-being, incorporating aspects like exercise, nutrition, hydration, and sleep. Ally earned her Masters of Counseling from Oregon State University - Cascades in Bend, Oregon. She fosters a safe and welcoming environment where clients can build rapport before addressing challenging topics. Ally believes in the power of healing through a trauma-informed and client-centered approach.
What you can expect from trauma counseling.
At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health, you can expect a comprehensive and holistic approach to treating the troubling symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of trauma. Whether you are seeking care for distress related to a single traumatic incident or have a more complex trauma history, our providers will work with you to better understand how unresolved elements from your past impact your present. Therapeutic interventions will likely include the use of cutting-edge modalities, such as EMDR, Brainspotting, or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which address trauma on a neurobiological level.
When addressing symptoms of trauma, we also focus on the following areas:
Psycho-education and brain-based science to help you understand what is happening with trauma on a physiological level.
Coping skills to support you in managing difficult symptoms when they arise.
Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your symptoms. Areas of exploration may include sleep, diet/nutrition, supplementation, exercise/movement, connectedness (time with family and friends), play, time in nature, and self-care.
Exploring and processing unresolved traumas or life events that may be at the root of your symptoms.
A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in managing your symptoms prior to them becoming overwhelming and unmanageable.
Our goal is to provide you with the tools and support you need to manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
Can specialized trauma counseling really help?
It’s worthy of noting that trauma comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Yes, there are “Big T traumas”, such as war and assault, various forms of violence and all the terrible things you think would qualify. But there are also “little t“ traumas, such as repeated incidents of shaming, chronic feelings of being unsafe or uncared for due to having an alcoholic parent, or totally bombing a speech in the 9th grade that left you feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Trauma on all accounts can be awful, and it can impact a person’s life in all kinds of ways. Much like anxiety and depression, it does not discriminate. If not addressed, trauma can lead to a cascade of issues that can be incredibly disruptive and debilitating to one’s health and happiness. If you, or someone you love is dealing with troubling symptoms that may be rooted in a traumatic experience, please reach out. Our providers in the in Soldotna and Homer would be honored to come alongside you as you work towards healing, health and wholeness.
How long does professional counseling typically last?
The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.
How do I get started with trauma counseling services?
Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding and admin guru will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. We will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
KPMH uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
Where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at KPMH, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
KPMH’s Soldotna office is conveniently located near the intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. Our Homer location is centrally located as well. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.