Trauma Counseling in Soldotna and Homer, Alaska
At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health, we provide trauma counseling in Soldotna and Homer, Alaska for adults dealing with stress, anxiety, and the lasting impact of difficult experiences. We work with individuals across the Kenai Peninsula to help them feel more steady, more in control, and better able to handle daily life.
Trauma can develop when something overwhelms your ability to process what happened. This might include events like accidents, loss, abuse, or other experiences that disrupt your sense of safety.
People who have experienced trauma may deal with symptoms like intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional detachment, or avoidance. These patterns can make it difficult to feel settled or fully present.
Our therapists focus on helping you feel more stable first, then work through underlying experiences at a pace that feels manageable. The goal is to reduce reactivity and help you move forward in a way that feels steady and sustainable.
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Daniela Kopec - LPC-S
Daniela has over 20 years of experience working as a counselor in the mental health field. Though she has experience working with clients across the life span, she has found that she is most passionate about walking alongside those that have experienced trauma, addressing the symptoms of anxiety and depression that are often co-ocurring. Daniela believes in utilizing an integrative approach to health and wellness that looks at mind, body and spirt, and is motivated to give people the tools to develop their inner strength and confidence to make the changes they desire. Native to the Soldotna community, Daniela has called Alaska home for many years.
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Rona Haberman - LCSW
Working out of the Homer, Alaska location, Rona has been a therapist for over twenty years, in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. She has experience working with people from 5 to 105, but specializes in individual therapy with adults 18 years and older. She has worked toward empowering others to manage a variety of issues that impact their quality of life, including negative beliefs, trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, life changes/transitions, stressors, difficulties in relationships, sexual identity and orientation, and substance abuse. Rona landed in Alaska in 2013, first living in Cordova and now on the Kenai Peninsula.
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Heidi Lucking - MA
Heidi Lucking is a pre-licensed clinician based in Soldotna, Alaska. She has been serving youth, young adults, and families since 2022, with experience in school-based counseling, crisis response, and intensive case management. Heidi is passionate about helping clients deepen the mind–body connection, cultivate self-regulation, and build resilience. She brings a grounded presence to her work, creating space for empowerment, emotional insight, and meaningful growth.
Originally from Unalaska and Soldotna, Heidi spent 14 years in Texas before returning to her roots in Alaska. She now calls the Kenai Peninsula home and enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog, learning new things, and getting creative in the kitchen.
What you can expect from trauma counseling.
At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health, you can expect a comprehensive and holistic approach to treating the troubling symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of trauma. Whether you are seeking care for distress related to a single traumatic incident or have a more complex trauma history, our providers will work with you to better understand how unresolved elements from your past impact your present. Therapeutic interventions will likely include the use of cutting-edge modalities, such as EMDR, Brainspotting, or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which address trauma on a neurobiological level.
When addressing symptoms of trauma, we also focus on the following areas:
Psycho-education and brain-based science to help you understand what is happening with trauma on a physiological level.
Coping skills to support you in managing difficult symptoms when they arise.
Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your symptoms. Areas of exploration may include sleep, diet/nutrition, supplementation, exercise/movement, connectedness (time with family and friends), play, time in nature, and self-care.
Exploring and processing unresolved traumas or life events that may be at the root of your symptoms.
A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in managing your symptoms prior to them becoming overwhelming and unmanageable.
Our goal is to provide you with the tools and support you need to manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
Can specialized trauma counseling really help?
It’s worthy of noting that trauma comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Yes, there are “Big T traumas”, such as war and assault, various forms of violence and all the terrible things you think would qualify. But there are also “little t“ traumas, such as repeated incidents of shaming, chronic feelings of being unsafe or uncared for due to having an alcoholic parent, or totally bombing a speech in the 9th grade that left you feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Trauma on all accounts can be awful, and it can impact a person’s life in all kinds of ways. Much like anxiety and depression, it does not discriminate. If not addressed, trauma can lead to a cascade of issues that can be incredibly disruptive and debilitating to one’s health and happiness. If you, or someone you love is dealing with troubling symptoms that may be rooted in a traumatic experience, please reach out. Our providers in the in Soldotna and Homer would be honored to come alongside you as you work towards healing, health and wholeness.
How long does professional counseling typically last?
The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.
How do I get started with trauma counseling services?
Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding and admin guru will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. We will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
KPMH uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
Where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at KPMH, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
KPMH’s Soldotna office is conveniently located near the intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. Our Homer location is centrally located as well. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.
Why Trust Us With Your Mental Health Care
4.4 out of 5 stars on google business reviews
Client Testimonials
“He helped me work through relationship trauma and find my footing again. I felt supported throughout the process.”
— Previous ClientFAQ’s
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Yes. Kenai Peninsula Mental Health provides trauma counseling in Soldotna and Homer, working with individuals across the Kenai Peninsula.
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Trauma counseling helps with things like anxiety, intrusive thoughts, emotional reactivity, difficulty sleeping, and feeling on edge after a stressful or overwhelming experience.
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It starts with understanding what you have been through and how it is affecting you now. From there, the focus is on helping you feel more stable, less reactive, and more in control day to day.
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No. You move at your own pace. The goal is not to force anything, but to build enough stability and trust so that you can work through things in a way that feels manageable.
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Trauma can stay active in the nervous system, which is why people can still feel triggered or on edge long after the event. Counseling helps your system settle and respond differently over time.
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Yes. Trauma often shows up physically through tension, sleep issues, or feeling constantly on alert. Counseling can help reduce these patterns as things begin to regulate.
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It depends on the situation. Some people come in to stabilize symptoms, while others stay longer to work through deeper experiences and patterns.
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You can call the office or reach out through the website. From there, the team will help you get scheduled and connect you with a therapist who fits your needs.