Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have unresolved childhood trauma?
Childhood trauma doesn’t have to include specific events or have a certain obvious look. Sometimes, childhood trauma isn’t just one major event, or obvious abuse, but sometimes it can be a series of experiences or messages that have shaped the way you see yourself and the world around you.
Maybe you struggle with boundaries, constantly seek validation, experience difficulty trusting others or are always looking to please people and keep the pace. You may even have certain relationship patterns and can’t figure out how you keep getting yourself in the same situation or attracting the same type of person.
Just because something happened a long time ago doesn’t mean it no longer affects you. Therapy can help you explore these experiences, the lingering impacts and how it shows up today and begin to develop healthier ways of coping with struggles, and have a healthier relationship with yourself and others.
What is EMDR therapy, and how does it work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s an evidence-based therapy that helps people process distressing experiences that are still stored in the body making it difficult to experience present moments without reacting to triggers reminding people about the event or events.
One of the things I often explain to clients is that understanding what happened to you doesn’t always mean you’ve fully processed it. You can logically know that something is over, that you’re safe now, or that something wasn’t your fault, and still have an emotional or physical reaction as though it’s happening all over again.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so that the memories become less distressing; they are still there and the story can still be relayed, but the negative beliefs and physical responses can change.
The goal isn’t to erase your memories or pretend something never happened. It is also not to recall memories. It’s to help you remember your experiences without continuing to carry the same level of emotional distress.
Can EMDR therapy be done virtually?
Yes! In fact, my EMDR clients are telehealth clients. While EMDR is commonly associated with eye movements, there are different forms of bilateral stimulation that can be adapted for virtual sessions.
As an EMDR-trained therapist, I provide online trauma therapy to clients throughout the state of Georgia which allows my clients to receive treatment from a private and comfort of their own home.
What is generational trauma, and how does it affect families?
Generational trauma refers to the trauma affecting generations of individuals without anyone realizing it is happening, likely because it’s just “normal” to them.
Our parents and caregivers learned how to navigate the world based on their own experiences, including what they were taught about emotions, relationships, survival, and family expectations. But sometimes, those lessons become painful patterns that are passed down to the next generation.
For example, you may have grown up in a household where expressing emotions was discouraged, boundaries were considered disrespectful, or your needs came second to the needs of the family. Now as an adult, you might find yourself struggling with guilt, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or difficulty expressing your emotions.
Understanding generational trauma isn’t about blaming your parents or dismissing the sacrifices they made. It’s about understanding that you can appreciate your culture and where you came from while also deciding to change patterns and how you show up in your life.
How can growing up with immigrant parents affect your mental health?
Growing up with immigrant parents can be a beautiful experience, but it can also come with challenges that aren’t always easy to explain if you have not experienced it for yourself.
There are two different worlds for someone who grew up in an immigrant family; the one their family is from and the world they are living in outside the home. And sometimes the worlds don’t align; gender roles are challenged, “respect” is defined differently, family obligations and expectations of the role of a child do not always meet the western view of individualism.
As an adult, this can create feelings of guilt, confusion, pressure, or difficulty developing your own sense of identity. How do I honor my culture, my parents and family traditions while also being true to myself?
Therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences without feeling like you have to choose between loving your culture and meeting your own needs. Because the truth is, you can love your family, appreciate their sacrifices, and still have a different vision for yourself.
How can therapy help women rebuild confidence after abuse?
Leaving an abusive relationship is not always the end of the healing process. For many women, it’s the beginning of learning how to reconnect with themselves and release the shame they have been carrying.
Abusive relationships can affect confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to trust yourself. You may find yourself questioning your judgment, struggling with boundaries, or blaming yourself for evening getting yourself “in that situation” to begin with. Why did I allow that?
Therapy provides a space to process those experiences without judgment or blame. Together, we can work toward understanding the dynamic you were in and that impacted your sense of self, so we can begin to strengthen personal boundaries, and develop the confidence to trust yourself again.
The goal isn’t simply to help you move on from the relationship. It’s to help you reconnect with who you are outside of what you experienced.
Do you offer online trauma therapy in Atlanta and throughout Georgia?
Yes! Through Cherokee Rose Counseling & Consulting, I provide virtual therapy to clients located throughout Georgia, including Atlanta and surrounding communities.
I specialize in working with women navigating childhood trauma, sexual abuse and assault, self-esteem, relationship and family difficulties, cultural identity, and major life transitions.
My approach is integrative, which means I don’t believe therapy should look exactly the same for everyone. I incorporate different therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, psychodynamic, person-centered, and solution-focused therapy, depending on your needs and goals.
Whether you’re beginning therapy for the first time or returning after previous treatment, my goal is to provide a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout your healing process.
Kristine Santiago, M.A., APC
Trauma-Informed Care | EMDR-Trained | Holistic Mental Health
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