Wioleta Koziol, LCSW, EMDR

Founder, Psychotherapist (EMDR Trained), Clinical Director

info@kozioltherapyandcoaching.com

(224) 504-9854

Thank you for being here and your interest in working together. I have been practicing as a therapist for over 14 years and specialize in the areas of childhood trauma/Complex PTSD/PTSD – physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual assault/rape, adult children of alcoholics attachment trauma, dissociation/dissociative disorders, depression, anxiety, anger/rage, self-esteem/shame, and LGBTQ sensitive issues. I work from a culturally-competent and anti-racist perspective and also speak Spanish and Polish. In addition, per your request, I am able to weave in faith-based, Christian perspectives into sessions. It’s important to note that I am keenly aware of the abuses that are perpetuated at the hands of churches, religious leaders, as well as other authority figures, and how religions can commonly weaponize spirituality. Being personally impacted by this, I operate from an awareness that spiritual/religious abuse constitutes a particular type of betrayal trauma which can greatly impact a person’s sense of safety, self-worth, and purpose in the world.  

I practice from a relational, trauma-wise, and psychodynamic lens, placing our therapeutic relationship at the forefront of treatment as healing from childhood trauma is most effective in the context of a compassionate and safe therapeutic relationship. Past attachment injuries and traumas necessitated you to build (usually unconsciously) strong barriers between you and others; thus relationships and interpersonal connection may seem dangerous and unfulfilling. Trust is difficult for you due to betrayals, abuse, and attachment ruptures which were never acknowledged or resolved. We will work together to create a sense of safety and containment that will most strongly facilitate both effective and healthfully bounded treatment.

Practicing from a trauma-wise lens means that I always take the stance of “what happened to you?” when conceptualizing treatment. Your past experiences and traumas have shaped your view of the world, of others, and of yourself, tethering you to automatic emotional and behavioral reactions, that while adaptive and allowed for survival in the worst of past environments and relationships, no longer serve you today and who you are trying to be as in accordance with your values. We work to undo the layers of maladaptive survival strategies and re-learn healthier ways of relating to others, yourself, and the world, a type of relating that isn’t predicated on the concept of ever-present danger. This is accomplished through both talk therapy as well as somatic (body-based) and experiential (EMDR, ego-states/dissociative parts work, etc.) treatment modalities that incorporate your whole self, body and mind, to address and re-calibrate the nervous system in a way that encompasses a sense of safety and self-attunement.

We will also build upon your already-existing skills and resilience as self-appraisal may prove to be challenging for you. We will work together to shift from a shame-narrative towards one grounded in healthy self-worth and self-concept. Working alongside you, I will assist you in slowly increasing your tolerance to your internal experience, to the recognition of self-states/parts/dissociative processes, to experiencing connection and healthy attachment, and to increase regulation and acceptance around life transitions, adjustments, and the inevitable process of change. I approach trauma processing and the unlearning of survival patterns in a paced and contained way, emphasizing your sense of safety, choice, and daily functioning throughout the process.

If you are interested in working with Wioleta, please email us at info@kozioltherapyandcoaching.com and a member of the admin team will assist you with the scheduling process.