Coaching & Counseling

Trauma-Informed, Non-Medical
Virtual Support Via Phone or Video Chat

The immense impacts of trauma and abuse can leave even the strongest individuals struggling to survive. It can feel like you’re living life in a fog. Strong emotions hit you, seemingly out of nowhere, and constant anxiety makes every day difficult. It’s devastating when we realize how deeply we’ve been impacted.

Some people aren’t sure exactly what they are experiencing and need help to sort that out. 

It’s common to feel frozen and unable to do something about your situation.

Other people have made changes, but they realize the immense impacts and aftershocks are still with them.

Maybe you have reached out for help before, only to be given answers that don’t apply to your situation and leave you feeling more helpless, misunderstood, and alone. Sadly, this is far too common for people dealing with toxicity and abuse.

One-on-one support will give you a safe space to catch your breath, sort things out, and find much-needed peace in your life. There’s no pressure. 

You’ll receive lots of support, validation, helpful information, gentle encouragement, and practical ways to overcome the impacts and calm the aftershocks. 

You’ll discover how the abuse has impacted you physically and learn how to release trauma stored in the body and help your brain and nervous system heal.

We all get to the point in our healing that we need personalized support that blends what we already know with our unique situation.

What does working together look like?

The various parts of us (body, mind, soul, spirit, emotions, personality, abilities, etc.) are so intricately woven together that all aspects of us are impacted when we experience hardships and trauma. For this reason, I believe the most profound growth and healing occur when all parts of us are part of the process.

When we first meet, I’ll ask about your goals and what you hope to gain from working together. Some people have a clear picture of what they want, while others are overwhelmed and focused on surviving today (an expected impact of abuse and trauma). If this is your situation, we can start with your immediate needs, such as helpful information, clarity, a safety plan, or strategies to calm the chaos and anxiety.

I let each person decide how often they want to meet (permitting time in my schedule) and if they prefer to meet via phone or video chat.

As we talk, I discover your personality, experiences, preferences, and abilities. Getting to know you is an essential part of helping me present options and strategies that will be effective for you. I don’t believe a one-size-fits-all approach works. 

Part of being trauma-sensitive is that I’m always listening for potential triggers and roadblocks so that together we can develop creative ways to help you keep moving forward and avoid being retraumatized. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do you work with?

I work with English speaking adults from diverse cultures, countries, and backgrounds.

Christian Counseling

Do you take insurance?

My services are not medical, so they are not covered by medical insurance.

If you didn’t see an answer to your question, the link below will take you to more frequently asked questions.

Important!

Willow Life Coaching and Counseling, LLC does NOT provide medical services. Please see a licensed medical provider if you need medical and mental health services.

About Me

Bonnie Ronstrom

I’m a certified life coach, victim’s advocate, and pastoral counselor. I specialize in walking toward healing with those harmed by toxicity, narcissism, and spiritual abuse.

My passion is to provide the validation, support, training, and resources individuals and organizations need to overcome the devastating impacts of toxicity and abuse.

Whether you need a one-time consult or a place to heal, I look forward to meeting you and exploring how we can best work together. I work with clients from all over the world through virtual, trauma-informed coaching, Christian counseling (non-medical), groups, training, and consulting services.

Contact Me

Trauma alters how our brain and nervous systems function. Even when we are no longer in a harmful environment, having “trauma brain” causes physical problems and makes everyday tasks and interactions difficult. An essential part of healing is helping your brain and nervous systems return to healthy functioning. Thankfully, our brains are capable of changing and developing new patterns. Even though trauma is devastating, healing is possible!

People are traumatized when they go through deeply distressing events. When these distressing events are ongoing (such as in the case of Narcissistic Abuse), the impacts are profound.

When there is stress, our brains temporarily change how they function to help us respond to the stressor and recover afterward. Prolonged trauma causes our brains to take on new patterns of functioning. Certain brain areas become overactive while others under-function. These changes are sometimes referred to as “trauma brain.”

Here are just a few of the signs of “trauma brain.”

Lack of focus

Memory issues, Forgetful

Fatigue, Unmotivated

Anxious, restless

Emotionally reactive

Difficulty feeling connected to anyone

Difficulty thinking through challenging topics 

More impulsive

Drawn toward addictions (food, shopping, drugs, researching, etc.)

Sleep difficulties

Loss of hope or difficulty thinking about the future

Jumpy 

Overthinking & obsessing

Headaches, stomach and intestinal issues, auto-immune disorders

Skeptical of everyone and everything