WHEN THE PAST STILL FEELS PRESENT
Trauma Therapy for Adults in California
You may know that something is over and still find yourself reacting as though it could happen again. A memory, conflict, relationship, medical experience, or unexpected reminder may bring up fear, shame, anger, disconnection, or self-doubt that feels difficult to control.
Trauma therapy can help you understand why these responses developed, work through experiences that continue to affect you, and begin feeling safer and more present in your life today.
Trauma does not always look like flashbacks
Some people come to therapy knowing that a particular experience changed them. Others have spent years minimizing what happened, questioning whether it was “bad enough,” or assuming they should have moved past it by now.
Trauma can develop after a single frightening event, but it can also come from experiences that happened repeatedly or over time. This may include painful childhood experiences, abuse, difficult relationships, loss, medical procedures, feeling unsafe at home, or having to adapt to situations where your needs and emotions did not have much room.
You may experience clear memories, nightmares, or panic. Trauma can also appear more quietly through anxiety, irritability, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting, people-pleasing, self-doubt, disconnection from your body, or feeling responsible for keeping everything under control. Sometimes these responses become so familiar that you notice the exhaustion or relationship patterns before recognizing how the past may still be influencing you.
Your responses developed for a reason
When something feels overwhelming, frightening, or unsafe, your brain and body respond in ways designed to protect you. You may fight back, get away, freeze, shut down, or focus on keeping other people calm. These responses can happen quickly, before you have time to think through what is happening.
Even after the situation has passed, your system may continue watching for signs that something similar could happen again. This can show up as feeling on edge, avoiding certain situations, disconnecting from your emotions, trying to control what happens next, or putting other people’s needs ahead of your own to prevent conflict or disappointment.
These patterns are not evidence that something is wrong with you. They often developed because they helped you cope with circumstances you could not fully control. Trauma therapy is not about judging those responses or forcing you to give them up before you are ready. We can begin by understanding how they protected you, noticing how they affect your life now, and gradually developing new ways of responding when the present is safer than the past.
Trauma therapy does not mean reliving everything at once
You will not be expected to tell your entire story in the first session or describe painful experiences before you feel ready. We can begin with what is affecting you now, what you would like to feel different, and what helps you feel more grounded when difficult emotions or memories arise.
Our work may include noticing the connections between past experiences and present-day reactions, understanding the beliefs you developed about yourself, and practicing ways to stay connected to the present when your mind or body senses danger. There will also be room to talk about current relationships, responsibilities, and events that need your attention.
When it fits your goals and you feel prepared, we may use EMDR to work through memories, emotions, beliefs, or body sensations that continue to carry distress. You do not have to describe every detail for EMDR to be effective, and you can pause or stop the process at any time. We will make decisions about the pace and direction of therapy together.
What progress may begin to feel like
Healing does not mean forgetting what happened, deciding that it was acceptable, or never feeling affected by it again. The experience can remain part of your story without continuing to feel as though it is happening in the present.
Over time, you may notice that memories feel less immediate, reminders are easier to manage, and emotional reactions no longer take over as quickly. You may feel more connected to your body, better able to recognize what you need, and more confident setting boundaries without being consumed by guilt or fear.
Progress may also look like trusting your judgment, responding to yourself with less criticism, feeling safer in relationships, or having more choice in situations where you once automatically shut down, avoided, or put someone else first. The goal is not to become unaffected by everything. It is to help you feel more present, more flexible, and less controlled by what happened in the past.
A collaborative and paced approach to trauma therapy
I will not decide for you which experiences should matter or push you into deeper work simply because it seems like the next step. We will begin by understanding what has been affecting you, how you respond when you feel overwhelmed, and what you need in order for the work to feel manageable.
My style is warm, collaborative, and active. I will ask questions, offer observations, and help you notice connections between your experiences, beliefs, emotions, relationships, and body responses. If I notice avoidance or a pattern that may be keeping you stuck, I may gently bring it to your attention while also respecting the ways it has helped protect you.
EMDR is the foundation of my work, and I also incorporate mindfulness and practical CBT skills when they are useful. Some sessions may involve deeper processing, while others may focus on grounding, current concerns, or preparing for the next stage of the work. We will adjust the approach as we learn more about what supports you.
Weekly therapy or an EMDR Intensive
Trauma therapy can take place through standard 55-minute sessions, allowing us to work gradually while making room for current concerns and experiences from the past. This format often works well if you prefer consistent support and time between sessions to notice and practice what you are learning.
If you would benefit from more uninterrupted time, an EMDR intensive offers three to four hours of focused work around a particular experience, pattern, or concern. Intensives include a separate intake and closing session, with preparation based on your individual needs.
An intensive is not automatically the best or fastest option for everyone. We can discuss your goals, readiness, and current support to determine which format may be the most appropriate place to begin. Learn more about EMDR and EMDR intensives
Trauma Therapy Appointments
I offer virtual trauma therapy for adults throughout California, along with limited in-person appointments in Santa Barbara. Standard sessions are approximately 55 minutes and weekly sessions are recommended.
I accept Aetna, Providence, and straight Medi-Cal. Private-pay sessions are $185. Insurance cannot be used for EMDR intensives.
You do not have to know exactly where to begin
You may know that something from the past is still affecting you without having the words to explain it yet. We can start with what you are noticing now and take the next steps at a pace that feels manageable.
A free 15-minute consultation is a chance to share a little about what you are looking for, ask questions, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.