Trauma therapy

Online trauma therapy in California

Something happens and your body reacts before your brain catches up. A sound, a smell, a phrase someone says. You're back there again. You know, logically, that you're safe. But your nervous system didn't get the memo.

We're two licensed therapists in California who work with you over secure video to process what happened. At whatever pace feels right.

Book a free consultation
Understanding trauma

What trauma does

Trauma rewires your threat detection system. Your brain learned that the world isn't safe, and now it keeps the alarm on even when there's no danger. That's not a character flaw. It's your nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do.

The symptoms look different for everyone. Some people get flashbacks or nightmares. Others feel numb, disconnected, or on edge all the time. Some avoid anything that reminds them of what happened. A lot of people don't even connect their current struggles to something in their past.

Research from the VA shows that 53% of patients no longer meet PTSD criteria after completing treatment. Your brain learned this response. It can learn a different one.

Signs trauma might be affecting you

  • You're easily startled or always scanning for danger
  • Certain places, people, or situations trigger intense reactions that feel out of proportion
  • You feel emotionally numb or disconnected from people you care about
  • Sleep is hard. Nightmares, insomnia, or waking up in a panic
  • You avoid talking or thinking about what happened, but it keeps coming back
How we work

How we treat trauma

We use two approaches with strong research behind them: trauma-focused CBT and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

Trauma-focused CBT helps you process the memories that are stuck on repeat. Instead of reliving them with the same intensity every time, you learn to recall what happened without your body going into full alarm mode.

CPT works on the beliefs that formed around what happened. A lot of people walk away from trauma believing things like "it was my fault" or "I can't trust anyone." We help you look at those beliefs and see if they're still true, or if they were survival conclusions you made in a terrible moment.

A 2020 study by Morland et al. found that online therapy works just as well as in-person for trauma treatment. Sessions happen over secure video from anywhere in California. Each one is one hour, and individual therapy is $125 per session.

You set the pace. We won't rush you.

What this actually looks like

  • We build safety and stability first, before touching the hard stuff
  • You learn grounding techniques to use when your nervous system gets activated
  • We process trauma memories gradually, at your pace
  • We examine the beliefs that formed around what happened and update the ones that aren't serving you
What to expect

How it works

1

Free consultation

We talk about what you're going through and figure out if we're a good fit. No cost, no commitment. Just a conversation.

2

Building trust and assessment

Your therapist gets to know your history and what's happening now. We don't jump into the deep end. The first sessions are about understanding where you are and making sure you feel steady.

3

Processing at your pace

When you're ready, we start working through the trauma using CBT and cognitive processing therapy. You decide how fast we go. If something feels like too much, we slow down.

4

Building a life after

Trauma therapy isn't just about processing the past. It's about being able to show up for your life now. Sleeping again. Trusting people again. Feeling like yourself.

Your therapist

Who you'll work with

D

Daishea

LMFT #142484

Daishea has close to a decade of clinical experience, and trauma is one of her primary specialties. She uses an existential-humanistic approach alongside trauma-focused CBT, which means she's not just working on your thought patterns. She's helping you reconnect with who you are underneath what happened. She's patient, she's steady, and she won't push you faster than you're ready to go.

Questions we get

Trauma therapy FAQ

Do I have to talk about what happened right away?+
No. We don't start there. The first few sessions are about getting to know each other, understanding how trauma is showing up in your life right now, and building the skills you'll need before we go deeper. You set the pace. We won't push you into anything you're not ready for.
Can online therapy work for trauma?+
Yes. A 2020 study by Morland et al. found that online trauma therapy works just as well as in-person treatment for PTSD. You're getting the same evidence-based therapy from a licensed therapist. The only difference is you're in your own space, which some people actually find more grounding.
How long does trauma therapy take?+
It depends on what you're working through. A full course of cognitive processing therapy is usually 12 sessions. Trauma-focused CBT runs 12 to 20 sessions. Some people need longer, especially if the trauma happened over months or years rather than in a single event. We check in regularly so you can see what's shifting.
What if I don't have a specific 'big T' trauma?+
Trauma isn't only car accidents and combat. Growing up in a home where your emotions were dismissed, years of being criticized by a partner, chronic stress without support. These things change your nervous system too. If something from your past is still running your reactions today, that's worth working on.

You don't have to carry this alone.

Book a free call to talk about what's going on and whether we're the right fit.

Book a free consultation

You survived it. Now you get to process it.