Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, Highland Park, & Los ANgeles

Trauma therapy is a safe, paced space to understand how what happened is still showing up in your life. We begin by building steadiness and trust, then work with the memories, emotions, and body responses that stay stuck. We combine talk therapy with Brainspotting, a brain-body approach that every therapist on our team is trained in, and Restoration Therapy, which helps you recognize painful emotional patterns and build healthier responses. You set the pace, and nothing is forced.

Common signs include feeling constantly on edge or easily startled, strong reactions that seem bigger than the moment, nightmares or trouble sleeping, flashbacks or intrusive memories, numbness or feeling disconnected, avoiding certain people or places, shame or self-blame, and difficulty trusting others. Trauma can also show up as physical symptoms, such as tension, fatigue, or stomach trouble. If any of this sounds familiar, a therapist can help you understand what is going on.

Yes. Trauma is not only about a single dramatic event. It can come from ongoing experiences, such as emotional neglect, criticism, conflict at home, pressure to be perfect, or growing up without feeling safe or seen. These are sometimes called small-t traumas, and their effects can be just as real. You do not need to compare your story to anyone else’s to deserve support.

No. You decide what to share and when. Good trauma therapy does not push you to relive painful details before you are ready. Approaches like Brainspotting can help you process what is held in your body and nervous system without needing to describe every detail out loud, and your therapist will check in often so the work stays manageable.

Complex trauma usually comes from repeated or long-term experiences, often in childhood, such as emotional, physical, or verbal abuse, neglect, or an unpredictable home. It can affect your sense of self, your emotions, and your relationships in lasting ways. Therapy for complex trauma moves carefully, focusing on safety, self-compassion, and rebuilding trust in yourself and others. You can read more in our post on complex trauma as Asian Americans.

Yes. Trauma does not expire. Many clients start therapy years or even decades after what happened, often when something in their life, like a relationship, a new job, or becoming a parent, brings old feelings to the surface. It is never too late to heal.

Brainspotting helps you process trauma held below the level of words, in the body and the nervous system. By holding your attention on a specific eye position linked to your feelings, you can access and release stuck emotions and sensations at a pace that feels tolerable. Many clients find it helpful when talking alone has not been enough. It is used alongside talk therapy. You can read more on our approaches.

Trauma can make it hard to trust, feel close, or feel safe, even with people who love you. You might withdraw, get defensive, fear abandonment, or feel triggered in conflict. We help individuals heal from the past, and we also work with couples when trauma is affecting the relationship. You can learn more on our couples therapy and marriage counseling on our website.

Yes. Many of our therapists are Asian American and children of immigrants. We understand how family silence, pressure to succeed, emotional restraint, migration and loss, and expectations passed down through generations can shape trauma, and how hard it can be to talk about it with family. We help you honor your family and culture while healing what hurt you. Therapy is available in English, Korean, and Mandarin.

Yes. Trauma often overlaps with other struggles. Trauma can fuel anxiety, show up as low mood or numbness, or look like trouble focusing, and these can also exist on their own. Your therapist will look at the whole picture so you are not treating one piece at a time. You can learn more about our anxiety therapy, depression therapy, and ADHD therapy.

Restoration Therapy helps you notice the painful feelings that trauma leaves behind, such as feeling unsafe, unloved, or not good enough, and the patterns you fall into to cope, like withdrawing, controlling, or people-pleasing. You then practice new ways to calm yourself, say what is true, and respond that bring more steadiness. It is used alongside talk therapy and Brainspotting.

Yes. For birth trauma and postpartum concerns, see our therapy for moms page. For harm from church or faith experiences, see our therapy for religious trauma page, spiritual abuse recovery page, and Christian counseling page.

It depends on what you are working through and what you hope for. Some clients feel meaningful relief within a few months, especially for a single event. Deeper, long-standing, or childhood trauma often takes longer. We build in time to build steadiness first, check in on your progress regularly, and adjust the pace as you go.

Yes. We see clients in person at our Pasadena, Highland Park, and Los Angeles office in Koreatown, and online for clients located in California. Some clients prefer online sessions from a space where they feel safe, and others prefer coming to the office. We can help you choose what feels right.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, at any hour. If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Therapy is not an emergency service, but you do not have to wait for a crisis to reach out.

Reach out through our contact page and share a little about what you are going through. You do not need to explain what happened. We will offer a free consultation and match you with the therapist who best fits your needs, your schedule, and the office or online option that works for you.