Trauma-Informed Care for work that moves carefully
Trauma-informed care shapes how I listen, what I ask, and how I pace the conversation. I work with adults and couples who want therapy that respects how past harm can still show up in the present.
How I use it
Nicole Obih, LCSW
Trauma-informed care means I don't treat reactions as random or overblown. I stay alert to safety, choice, pacing, and the impact of what you've been through. That matters whether we're working one-on-one or with a couple, because trauma can show up in silence, conflict, distance, or the need to stay in control. I pay attention to the room, the language we use, and what you need from me so the work doesn't become another place where you're pushed past yourself.
I pay attention to what feels activating before I push for more.
Who it tends to suit
Trauma can affect how safe a room feels, how much a person trusts, and how quickly something in the present can pull up the past. People may come in feeling jumpy, shut down, flooded, or unsure why certain situations hit so hard. Sometimes they know exactly what they're reacting to. Other times they just know their body is on alert and ordinary stress feels bigger than it should. In therapy, I keep an eye on what helps you stay present and what takes you out of the room.
- I get overwhelmed faster than I want to.
- Certain things bring up more than I expect.
- I shut down when I feel too exposed.
- I don't always know why something hits me so hard.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions focus on what feels most important to tell me and what might be too much to rush. We'll talk about how you tend to react when stressed, what helps you feel steadier, and what you want me to watch for.
What I use it for
- AnxietyPeople feeling keyed up, overwhelmed, or constantly braced
- DepressionPeople feeling low, numb, worn down, or stuck
- Racial TraumaPeople carrying the effects of racism and repeated harm
- DiscriminationPeople worn down by bias, exclusion, or unfair treatment
- Identity ShiftsPeople sorting through changes in gender, sexuality, or self-understanding
- Major Life TransitionsPeople facing change, loss, or a new chapter
Questions people ask
What does trauma-informed therapy actually mean?
It means I pay attention to what feels activating, what helps you settle, and how to move without forcing you past your limits. The work stays focused on your experience in the room.
Can trauma-informed care help if I don't want to talk about everything yet?
Yes. We can start with what feels manageable and not rush past what still feels exposed.
Do you use trauma-informed care with couples?
I do. In couples work, I pay attention to how past hurt can show up as conflict, shutdown, or distance between you.
Is trauma-informed care only for big events?
No. Ongoing stress, repeated harm, and old experiences that still get activated can all matter.
About Celestial Shift Therapy
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating complex identity questions, or carrying the weight of past trauma? Maybe you're facing life changes that shake your sense of self or struggling with internalized shame that keeps you from living as yourself.
Talk it through with Nicole
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.