Watch Hill Therapy

Many individuals who have endured childhood trauma yearn for a sense of belonging through starting their own families. Choosing to become a parent after facing challenges within one's own family is a courageous and daunting decision. Our young children bring immense happiness and sorrow into our lives - a bittersweet journey. They serve as mirrors that reflect our true selves and remind us of the struggles of vulnerability and helplessness as children. In addition to the constant fatigue and the learning curve of parenting, survivors of trauma who are striving to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma deserve acknowledgment and a substantial amount of support. #parenting #traumasurvivors #healingfromtrauma #cptsd #parentswithtrauma #childhood #raisingkids #parentingsupport #childhoodabuse #parenttraumasurvivor

When a child is being abused dissociation takes away the most painfully overwhelming parts of the experience and "puts it on ice" in our bodies until it's the right time to thaw. It's as if the experiences of betrayal and harm didn't happen at all, or barely happened. These moments were real but not in a way we can process until we are out of harms way. We can't process what we don't remember, and that's why addressing dissociation in trauma treatment is so critical. Once the thawing begins to occur, in the presence of safe and consistent enough others, all the painfully overwhelming parts of being abused start to come back in true color and form. The availability and consistency of safe people helps us release the dissociative protection. We can't process terror and abandonment alone, it would swallow us. Grieving comes more naturally when you stop dissociating. You see your vulnerability and innocence and that fact that none of the harm had anything to do with you, but with the ones doing the harming. That helps people release shame and heal. #healingfromtrauma #healingfromdissociation #healing #cptsd #childabuse #childhoodabuse #chiacgotraumatherapists #chicagotrauma #developmentaltrauma #healingjourney #abusesurvivor #csecsurvivor #childpornsurvivor #traffickingsurvivor #Physicalabuse #emotionalabuse #sexualabuse #neglect

Hey families! Watch Hill Therapy will be at the NPN Developmental Differences Fair. Come join us! https://buff.ly/3z3mpXR > Hear from adults and teens who are living and thriving with developmental differences, moderated by Kimberly Johnson, Board President of The Arc of Illinois > Talk with experts and find resources > Take professional family photos with Thomas from TK Photography > Taste delicious food & beverages, from Lifeway Kefir, Werewolf Coffee Bar, Al's Cookie Mixx, and more > Win a raffle prize courtesy of Building Blocks Toy Store, and more > Meet a supportive community, connect with other parents and families > Arrive at 2:00 for a special West African drum performance from Victoria Boateng > Plus the first 25 NPN member families to arrive receive a swag bag full of goodies! #chicagoparents #neighborhoodparentsnetwork #developmentaldifferences #neurodivergence #ChicagoADHD #traumainformedchicago #chicagotraumatherapists #chicagochildtherapy #chicagoteens

We can't wait to support NPN's Developmental Difference fair!

We enthusiastically welcome Matthew Seger, MA, CMHC to our team all the way from the Pacific Northwest! As our newest trauma therapist at Watch Hill Therapy, Matthew brings so much to the Chicago community. He has clinical training and experience navigating issues that can stem from complex PTSD, religious trauma, attachment trauma, interpersonal relationships, ADHD, and men’s issues. He utilizes a relational and parts work approach (IFS). He works in person (downtown) and virtually (Illinois and Washington). Check out his page on our website! Link to bio: https://buff.ly/3SBXeC8 #chicagotraumatherapists #chicagotherapy #chicagotraumatherapy #menshealth #IFS #complextraumatherapist #CPTSDtherapy #religioustrauma #partswork #openforreferrals

This isn't about getting better fast without doing deep work. Trauma is an injury to your human-ness, it takes some time to get in touch with yourself again and change long standing patterns of reacting and behaving. Don't worry, though, life is safer without the blinders on, and you'll be able to take better care of yourself. It's always worth it. You didn't do anything to deserve this. Your worth healing from it. #healingfromtrauma #ptsd #cptsd #did #dontgiveup #traumatherapy #chicagottraumatherapists #psychotherapy # longtermrecovery #keepgoing #acceptanceishard

We are so excited to announce that Joseline Gonzalez, MA, LPC is now a Watch Hill Therapy trauma therapist! Joseline brings so much to the table in working with trauma survivors: Her invitational style, being able to do therapy in English or Spanish, her clinical specialty in neurodivergence, and her passion for those affected by complex trauma. Joseline works with clients across the lifespan - younger or older - both in person (downtown) and virtually. For more: https://buff.ly/3LTNSxS #chicagotherapist #chicagotraumatherapist #therapyfortrauma #neurodivergence #chicagotraumatherapists #openforreferrals

We are so excited to have a special guest, Santiago Delboy, MBA, LCSW - owner of Fermata Psychotherapy - host a workshop for therapists on using our countertransference, our selves, in our work with complex trauma survivors. Santiago is a deeply thoughtful individual and we are looking forward to hosting him on September 13th, 10a-12p CST, via zoom. Regular and discount tix are available. *This workshop will be recorded and sent to registered participants* https://buff.ly/3yhTXkK #ceuworkshop #traumatherapy #traumatherapist #countertransference #chicagotraumawork #workshopfortherapists #ceuschicago #ceuillinois #deepwork

Join Victoria Doobay, Ph.D. on Weds August 14th at 6pm CST via Zoom for a trauma informed yoga teaching and practice. Yoga is an incredible tool to help people reduce the emotional and physical symptoms of trauma. For more info or to register:

At the end of July, Tovah will be teaching a virtual workshop geared towards helping trauma survivors understand their dissociation better. The questions explored in this workshop are: What is the nature of dissociation in complex trauma survivors? How can I understand dissociation on a spectrum rather than a rigid binary? What are some common dissociation symptoms? How do I know if I’m dissociating from parts of myself/my life/ certain people or memories/my body? What is the healing trajectory for dissociative trauma survivors? How can I support myself on the healing journey? To learn more or to register:https://buff.ly/3Xcj3LP #healingfromdissociation #healingfromtrauma #complextrauma #cptsd #dissociation #dissociativedisorders #chicagotraumatherapists #virtualworkshop #traumasurvivorworkshop #findingyourself