Valentine’s Day & Complicated Feelings: The Impact of Trauma in Relationships in Falls Church, VA
It’s February again. Valentine’s Day again. Ugh. So many complicated, icky, mixed-up feelings. And, no, not because you are some patriarchal stereotype of a girl crying over her own heart-shaped box of chocolates (I mean, how uncreative can those 90s movie writers be??). But because this reminds you of how relationships continue to mystify you well into your adulthood.
All around you, friends seem to be getting married, having kids. But with you, there are times when you just don’t want to be too close to anyone romantically. And then there are other times you wish you had a partner…but when they get too close…YIKES! Absolutely panic, terror, rage set in. Can you figure this one out finally??? These are common effects from trauma in relationships that we explore in trauma therapy at Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy.
Unmet Needs from the Past Will Show up As Unmet Needs in the Present
What you don’t repair, you repeat. But. You might be someone who says, “Well, nothing actually HAPPENED to me.” Okay, that may be true, for your physical safety needs, at least. But often, how our physical safety needs and emotional needs impact us from childhood into adulthood are categorically different.
Why does this matter? Well, when you were a kid, if you experienced trauma in relationships, or if you learned that being too close was scary, or that being vulnerable could lead to harm, or that care and nurture were conditional, that part of you got stuck. It is like a recording keeps playing on loop in your body and your system. So when you got into adulthood and entered adult relationships, if something triggered that recording (or made it press play), it was almost like you felt stuck back in that same emotional space.
Childhood trauma therapy with a trauma therapist teaches your system to nurture and support those past hurt, stuck versions of you so that you can get unstuck from those moments in the past and lean into safe, loving relationships in the present and future. As this process unfolds, you can enjoy the partnerships you want to. And Valentine’s Day? It’s painful hold over you dissipates, and you can finally lean into its delight.
Find Support for Valentine’s Day & Trauma in Relationships in Falls Church, VA
Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy provides trauma-informed care rooted in empathy and respect. Our work focuses on helping you feel grounded again, reconnect with your inner resilience, and move forward with a stronger sense of self.
Getting started is simple:
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation using the link below.
Complete a short intake form prior to your call.
Connect with Alice Zic, a trauma-focused therapist, to explore your goals and concerns.
Take the first steps toward healing childhood trauma through specialized childhood trauma therapy.
In-Person Counseling in New Orleans, Louisiana
Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy provides in-person therapy sessions in New Orleans on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Conveniently located in Mid-City, our practice serves individuals and families throughout the Greater New Orleans area who are seeking support for childhood trauma, the lasting impact of an emotionally immature parent, or anxiety-related concerns in adolescents.
Our welcoming office offers a comfortable, supportive space to begin therapy and work toward healing with care that is thoughtful, trauma-informed, and grounded in compassion.
Virginia Online Therapy for Childhood Trauma at Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy
Online therapy offers a flexible and accessible way to begin working through childhood trauma. As a Virginia-licensed therapist, I provide virtual therapy to clients located anywhere within the state, making it easier to access consistent support from the comfort of your own space.
With a reliable internet connection, a private setting, and a device, you can participate fully in online sessions. No commuting or added stress required. If you’re ready to explore whether virtual childhood trauma therapy is a good fit, schedule a complimentary consultation call below.
Additional Online Therapy Services at Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy
In addition to childhood trauma therapy, Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy provides a range of online and in-person counseling services. Our virtual offerings include therapy for teen anxiety in Connecticut, Virginia, and Louisiana, along with mother/daughter family therapy available both online and in select in-person settings. We also offer in-person sessions in New Orleans.
Whether you are navigating the long-term effects of parentification, supporting a teen experiencing anxiety, or healing from childhood neglect, our practice offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space for growth and healing, serving clients across Connecticut, Virginia, and Louisiana.
Alice Zic, LCSW: Childhood Trauma & Attachment-Based Therapy
Alice Zic is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She offers virtual therapy to clients across Louisiana, Connecticut, and Virginia, along with in-person sessions in New Orleans. Alice specializes in supporting women impacted by childhood trauma, particularly those navigating perfectionism and mother-related wounds, as they work toward becoming more self-assured and emotionally grounded adults.
Her therapeutic approach is attachment-based and integrates trauma-focused modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego States Therapy. These methods help foster mind–body integration, support healing wounded inner parts, and encourage compassionate reparenting of critical or hurt aspects of the self. With a strong focus on relational and attachment trauma, Alice also provides parent coaching and mother/daughter family therapy, offering space to repair and strengthen these relationships through an attachment-informed lens. To begin working together, schedule your complimentary consultation today.