Reclaiming the Story: Why I Do This Work
I’ve spent the past two decades walking alongside people who are learning to live again after trauma.
If you’ve found your way here, welcome. Whether you’re just beginning your healing journey or you’ve been on the path for years, this space is for you. My name is Dr. Grace Patty, and I’m a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma — all kinds of trauma. The visible, the hidden, the kind that others overlook, and the kind that never quite had a name.
People often ask me why I chose this field. The truth is, I didn’t just choose trauma work — it chose me. Not in a single moment, but over a lifetime of experiences that shaped how I see the world, how I listen, and how I help.
My career has been shaped by a wide range of experiences: years of clinical training, a military background, and the privilege of working with a diverse population of clients. I’ve worked with civilians and veterans alike — including many who have experienced combat trauma, special operations, and other intense life circumstances. I’ve also supported people facing the long-term effects of childhood abuse, neglect, relational trauma, sexual violence, medical trauma, and more.
I’ve specialized in helping adults heal from the deep and often invisible wounds of trauma. The ones that don’t always show on the outside but live in the body, in the nervous system, in the way we relate to others and to ourselves.
The heart of my work is this: trauma doesn’t define you, but it does shape you — until you reclaim your story. Healing isn’t about forgetting. It’s about integrating the past so it no longer controls the present.
This blog — and my upcoming live show and TikTok videos — are for anyone navigating trauma recovery. I’ll be sharing insights, tools, lived wisdom, and space for honest questions. My goal is to offer something real, useful, and compassionate. No fluff. No judgment. Just truth, skill, and support.
If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s begin.