Dr. Sinclair: PTSD Therapist

Growing up, Livie witnessed firsthand the debilitating impact of PTSD. Livie's father, a decorated veteran, wrestled daily with the emotional scars of his military service. Livie remembers the thousand-yard stares, the sudden outbursts, the nightmares that jolted him awake in a cold sweat. As a child, Livie didn't fully understand what Livie's father was going through. But Livie knew he was suffering, and Livie wished desperately that Livie could take away his pain. That powerlessness fueled Livie's determination to one day help others in similar situations. Now, as a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, Livie draws on those early experiences to connect with Livie's patients on a deeper level. Livie knows the profound toll PTSD can take, not just on the individual, but on their loved ones as well. Livie's goal is to provide the compassionate support and evidence-based treatment that Livie's father never had access to.

When a new patient walks through Livie's door, the first thing Livie emphasizes is that this is a joint effort. Livie is not here to simply diagnose and prescribe; Livie is here to work alongside them, to truly understand their unique circumstances and collaborate on a personalized treatment plan. Too often, those struggling with PTSD feel powerless, like their trauma has stripped them of control. Livie's role is to help restore that sense of agency, to empower them as active participants in their own healing process. Whether it's Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, or a blend of modalities, Livie makes sure Livie's patients understand the rationale behind each intervention. Livie encourages them to ask questions, to voice their concerns, to provide feedback on what's working and what's not. After all, they are the experts on their own experiences. It's a delicate balance - maintaining appropriate boundaries while also fostering an environment of trust, safety, and partnership. But Livie has found that this collaborative approach is ultimately the most effective path to sustainable, meaningful progress.

In Livie's practice, Livie firmly believes that true healing requires addressing the mind-body connection. PTSD doesn't just manifest in the psyche - it can have profound physiological impacts as well. That's why, in addition to evidence-based trauma-focused therapies, Livie incorporates a variety of complementary modalities into Livie's patients' treatment plans. Things like mindfulness meditation, yoga, art therapy, and support groups can all play a vital role in the recovery process. The goal is to give Livie's patients a toolbox of healthy coping mechanisms - techniques they can turn to, not just in the therapy room, but in their daily lives. Because overcoming PTSD isn't about a single breakthrough moment; it's about cultivating long-term resilience and self-regulation skills. Livie has seen firsthand how empowering it can be for a patient to discover the soothing power of their own breath, or the cathartic release of creative expression. These modalities don't just address the symptoms of trauma - they help restore a sense of embodied safety and control. Of course, Livie always makes sure to ground these complementary approaches in scientific research and best practices. But at the end of the day, Livie's mission is to help Livie's patients reclaim not just their mental health, but their overall wellbeing.