Trauma Therapy in North Carolina | Support for Cycle Breakers
Are you struggling with unresolved trauma, anxiety, or difficult family dynamics? My trauma therapy practice in North Carolina specializes in helping cycle breakers find clarity and confidence. Many of my clients share struggles like anxiety, stress, perfectionism, negative body image, self-doubt, and difficult family relationships. Others feel a strong sense that something is “off,” even when everything looks fine on the surface.
I typically have two kinds of clients who reach out to me. During therapy consultations the first group says things like:
“I’m not sure if I have trauma, but I know that I don’t feel okay.”
“I worry a lot and I feel like I’m not doing relationships right.”
“Do I have trauma? Do I need better boundaries? Everything seems fine on the surface and I”m not sure exactly why I feel this way, but it feels like something is off, like I”m missing something that everyone else gets.”
Then there’s another group:
“I have childhood trauma and I know the time has come for me to work through it.”
“I don’t want my past to thwart my future or get in the way of me having healthy relationships.”
“My anxiety and my mental health are showing me that I’m not okay, and I need support figuring this all out.”
If any of this resonates, therapy for trauma and cycle breakers might be a fit for you.
Could Childhood Trauma Be Hiding in Plain Sight? | Therapy for Childhood Trauma
The tricky thing about childhood trauma is that sometimes you don’t know you have it. Trauma, emotional neglect, and having emotionally immature caregivers growing up can create unhealthy family dynamics that cause and normalize trauma. When you grow up in it, it seems normal. Learn more about how trauma therapy can help adult children of emotionally immature parents.
Many of my clients didn’t realize their families were unhealthy until they grew up and had experiences with other people’s families. They were astonished to see how calm and loving some families could be—families that don’t guilt each other and care if they’ve hurt one another, that communicate their needs and respect each other’s boundaries, and that actually talk through unsettling events instead of pushing past them and pretending everything is okay. This realization can be mind-boggling and, many times, is the catalyst for self-reflection, self-doubt, and the desire to change.
The Confusion of Being a Cycle Breaker
You will see the term cycle breaker all over my website. A cycle breaker is someone who recognizes unhealthy and harmful dynamics in their family of origin and actively makes changes in themselves to avoid passing down unresolved trauma to future generations.
I’ve found it’s actually a bit challenging to market my therapy services to cycle breakers because, most of the time, people don’t realize they are cycle breakers. Many people identify with this term more at the end of their healing process than at the beginning. If you’re like most of my clients, you might even cringe at the term. You might think, “Cycle breakers are resilient, confident people who know what they’re doing. That’s not me.”
Why You Might Be a Cycle Breaker
It’s hard to see yourself this way when you’re in it and struggling, but it’s not hard for this therapist to see—that’s my job.
A counselor friend once said that one of my strengths is seeing where people want to go and how they’re going to get there, without rushing or applying judgment about where they are in their process. I’m particularly skilled at working with cycle breakers at every stage of their journey—from the chronic self-doubt, confusion, and frustration-with-their-families stage to the grounded, empowered “I am a cycle breaker” stage. This is when you can embrace the term and yourself with the compassion and self-love you once believed were impossible to feel. Interested in learning more about what it’s like to be a cycle breaker? Discover what it means to be a cycle breaker and how therapy can help break generational trauma cycles.
If this sounds like you—whether you’re unsure if you have trauma or are somewhere on this spectrum—let’s connect.
My free 20-minute consultation is an opportunity for us to determine together if therapy for cycle breakers is the right fit for your needs.
What Will Our Sessions Be Like?
You will find a warm, nonjudgmental space when working with me. We’ll talk about serious and complex topics, but I want to ensure you feel supported and as comfortable as possible when discussing emotionally challenging experiences.
In sessions, I ask dynamic questions to help you process your experiences and gain insight into what’s keeping you stuck. My questions are designed to challenge you and support your growth.
We’ll explore whether you’re repeating unhealthy relationship patterns or holding yourself back due to trauma. Boundary work and learning more effective communication strategies are common topics in my therapy sessions.
We’ll address trauma, and I’ll help you build a toolbox of coping skills to manage triggers and calm anxiety. I use trauma therapy techniques such as EMDR to help you process and move past traumatic experiences. Trauma often stays stuck in the body, impacting health and overall stress levels. My unique approach combines body-based interventions with advanced trauma therapy techniques, like EMDR, to help you release trauma and calm your nervous system. Interested in EMDR therapy? Learn how it can help with trauma recovery here.
What Will This Work Do for Your Life?
The better question is: What do you want this work to do for your life? That’s where we start, and it’s what guides the direction we take in therapy.
Some of the outcomes I’ve helped my clients achieve include:
Trusting themselves and their decisions.
Building greater confidence in creating the kind of life and relationships they want.
Staying grounded and not letting anxiety or family dynamics take over.
Developing healthier relationships and stronger boundaries.
Learning to discern between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Identifying their needs and communicating them effectively.
Experiencing less anxiety and depression, with a greater capacity to cope with stress.
Gaining clarity and confidence in breaking generational trauma patterns.
Let’s Talk About What’s Possible for You
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Therapy is a space where you can show up as you are, without worrying about anyone else. It’s a time for you to slow down and give yourself the space to explore what’s really going on. Some people feel guilty about doing this at first, but they quickly discover how healing and necessary it is to dedicate time to themselves in order to unpack and understand their experiences.
Book your free consultation for trauma therapy in North Carolina now, and let’s talk about how I can support you in breaking old patterns and cultivating the next version of you—unburdened by the weight of past trauma. Click below to schedule with me, a licensed North Carolina therapist.
FAQ:
Do we have to focus on my childhood in trauma therapy?
No. In our sessions, we’ll focus on the areas that feel most pressing and relevant in your life right now. If you’re not ready to discuss your childhood or it doesn’t feel productive, we won’t focus on it. A common misconception about trauma therapy is that you must relive or talk in detail about traumatic experiences. This isn’t how I work, and it’s not necessary for you to heal. My approach is tailored to your comfort and readiness, helping you move forward in a way that feels right for you.
I want to work with you, but I don’t think I need trauma therapy. Can you still help me?
Absolutely. While trauma therapy is a significant part of my work, I also provide support in other areas, including anxiety therapy, Enneagram coaching, grief counseling, and empowerment work. Many of my clients are gifted individuals (though you may dislike that term) or neurodivergent, including Autistic individuals and those with ADHD. If you’re gifted and Autistic, we may be an excellent fit.
I think my parent or ex is a narcissist. Do you work with narcissistic abuse recovery?
Yes. Narcissistic abuse recovery is one of my specialties. Not all therapists understand the unique challenges and emotional chaos these relationships create. I can help you process the impact, rebuild your sense of self, and navigate your recovery so you don’t find yourself in another harmful relationship. If you’re in North Carolina, I offer online therapy tailored to survivors of narcissistic abuse.
Is online trauma therapy as effective as in-person therapy in North Carolina?
Yes. Research and my experience providing trauma therapy across North Carolina—including Asheville, Raleigh, and Charlotte—demonstrate that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Many of my online clients experience the same benefits and personal growth as those I worked with when I had an office. Ultimately, it comes down to your preference. If you're unsure about trying online therapy, we can give it a try, and you can decide if it’s the right fit for you. I offer trauma-informed therapy to clients throughout North Carolina, including Asheville, Raleigh, and Charlotte.
About Hanna Woody
I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor based in Asheville, North Carolina, with over a decade of experience helping people navigate childhood trauma, anxiety, and challenging family dynamics. My practice is grounded in breaking cycles of generational trauma and integrating the Enneagram as a powerful tool for self-awareness and growth.