Conversations with Healers, Helpers, and Guides: Addressing Trauma and its Healing Process with Chantell Perez, LMHC
Conversations with Helpers, Healers, and Guides is a monthly blog series from Holistic Healing and Wellness with Sabrina LLC with the intention of sparking conversation with other wellness professionals to share perspectives on different ways mind, body, spirit health can be supported.
Today, we are talking with Chantell Perez, LMHC, a fellow therapist and dear friend. She guides others to embrace self love and heal through trauma.
Sabrina: Tell us who you are, where you practice, and what you specialize in.
Chantell: My name is Chantell Perez, I am a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I am fluent in both English and Spanish and provide virtual EMDR therapy to adults 18 and older who reside in the state of Florida. I specialize in past/recent trauma, abuse, grief and loss, parenting strategies, unhealthy relationships, self-esteem, and self-love.
Sabrina: What drew you to specialize in grief, loss, trauma, and self-love, and how do these areas intersect?
I myself have struggled through these experiences throughout my life and because of my healing journey, I took the initiative of helping others. To be a guide, a voice of empowerment to those who need that light of hope during their most difficult times.
Sabrina: What mind-body effects can someone experience from traumatic loss?
Chantell: Some mind-body effects can be:
Emotional Distress: grieving and mourning; shock or disbelief
Cognitive Effects: nightmares, intrusive thoughts, mental fog or confusion, forgetfulness; lack of concentration
Psychological Impact: depression and anxiety; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social & Interpersonal Effects: Isolation; difficulty trusting or opening up to others
Physical Symptoms: fatigue/low energy or restlessness; sleep disturbances (nightmares, excessive or lack of sleep, and insomnia), changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite), body aches/pains; weakening immune system
Physical Health Conditions: Chronic pain; cardiovascular Problems
Sabrina: Can you tell us how you encourage and guide clients in developing self-compassion as an integral part of their journey toward self-love?
Chantell: I begin by providing clients with a variety of coping skills to learn how to self-regulate their emotions, feelings, and negative thought patterns. I also utilize self-reflection activities throughout sessions to provide the clients with opportunities to get to know themselves without any judgments or advice. In sessions, we work together to find who their true authentic self is and how they can live their life as the best version of themselves.
Sabrina: What is the number one thing you want the reader to know about recovering from trauma?
Chantell: Everyone heals in their own way with their own process and time.Give yourself the empathy, compassion, patience, and love that you would give a loved one who is on a healing journey.
Do you have any special offerings available for clients?
Chantell: Yes, I am offering a free 15-minute consultation via phone to answer any questions you may have. You may contact me via text at 786-245-3075 or email chantie1231@gmail.com to schedule a free consultation with me.