By Dr. Karen Hammond DSW, LCSW, BFA

On Becoming and Being a Trauma Therapist

As healers, we have the incredible opportunity to embark on a transformative journey alongside our clients. I am grateful for the privilege of being invited into their worlds, exploring the paths that hold potential for growth. Creating a safe and nurturing environment is my top priority, as I believe every individual longs for the acceptance and connection that a compassionate caregiver provides. This rich, collaborative space becomes a sanctuary for healing.

Dr. Carl Jung taught us that the interplay of joys and challenges leads to the most fulfilling lives. As both a social worker and an artist, I cherish the healing power of varied perspectives. I love using experiential methods to foster emotional growth, finding that creative modalities can spark "awareness" and facilitate change, as the late Dr. Fritz Perls suggested. Some of the expressive techniques I find particularly effective include Sandtray therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Role-play, Psycho-Drama, Empty Chair Work, image-making, Family Sculpting, Family Genograms, and traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other selected practices.

My journey to this moment began on a dairy farm in Northeast Texas. Growing up, my father, a socially liberal thinker, nurtured my curiosity with his passion for knowledge. Our dinner table was a lively space filled with discoveries across diverse fields like anthropology, social issues, history, and psychology. I didn't realize until later how fortunate I was to have such a stimulating upbringing, one that laid the foundation for a lifelong passion.

My mother, analytical and determined, accompanied my father in exploring the world with a unique lens. With her strong management of our family farm and home, she sparked my inquisitive nature, unknowingly paving the way for a future fueled by a desire to learn and help others heal.

Now, as a mother of five grown children and a grandmother of eight, I cherish the experiences that have shaped me. My family keeps me vibrant and attuned to contemporary social issues, continually inspiring my dedication to making a positive impact.

I realized my vision of becoming a clinician, educator, and researcher in January 2015 when I began teaching graduate students while pursuing my doctorate. It’s a joy to ignite passion in the hearts of future mental health professionals. I value the wisdom imparted by my mentors, who trained under early theorists, and I strive to share their depth of understanding and practical application in my own practice.

Through Blue Lavender Clinical Services, LLC, I continue my commitment to honor my main mentor, a Vietnam veteran and seasoned psychologist, by conveying the knowledge he generously shared with me. At our practice, we are selective in our approach to ensure that our therapists navigate the nuances of the therapeutic process with care and insight.

Welcome to a space where everyone is seen and heard, and where we focus on healing the past to foster authentic living in our complex world. My hope is that every individual who steps into Blue Lavender—named lovingly by my daughter-in-law—experiences renewal on all levels.

Just as lavender flourishes in challenging soils, so can we.

Warmly,
Karen