Los Angeles Trauma Therapy
Find your way back to yourself
When you’ve lived through something overwhelming, it leaves more than memories. Sometimes it shows up as anxiety that won’t switch off, shutting down when you wish you could connect, or a heaviness that no one else can see…
That’s the weight of trauma, and you don’t have to carry it alone.
At Grazel Garcia Psychotherapy & Associates (GGPA), we support you through trauma therapy in Los Angeles that’s compassionate, gentle, evidence-based, and tailored to what you need most. Whether you’re struggling with the aftermath of a single event or years of painful experiences, our therapists provide a safe place to start making sense of it all.
Sessions are available in-person in Los Angeles or online across California. If you’re ready to feel a little lighter and begin healing, we’re here to help. Book a confidential consultation today.
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Your sessions are delivered via HIPAA-compliant video.
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What Trauma Really Is and How It Shows Up
Trauma isn’t always what people expect. It isn’t limited to dramatic events or headline-worthy situations. Trauma can grow quietly out of moments when your nervous system felt overwhelmed and unsafe, whether from a single incident, ongoing stress, or even experiences where no one else seemed to notice what you were going through. Therapists often make the distinction between big ‘T’ trauma (those headline-grabbing events) and little ‘t’ traumas that we all experience to some degree.
For some, trauma looks like being on constant alert, waiting for something bad to happen. For others, it’s the opposite: feeling numb, disconnected, or unable to find joy in things that used to matter. Nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, shame, or unexplained physical tension are all ways the body and mind try to cope with what happened.
You might even doubt whether what you’ve lived through “counts” as trauma. That self-questioning is common, and it’s part of why so many people delay reaching out for help. But please know that if your past experiences still affect your sense of safety, relationships, or daily life, trauma therapy can help.
Our trauma therapists are based in Los Angeles and work gently and collaboratively to understand how trauma shows up for you. We’ll never rush you or demand that you revisit details you aren’t ready to share. The process is about helping you feel safer in your own skin at a pace that feels right for you.
When Trauma Comes from Society Itself
Not all trauma comes from individual events or personal relationships. Sometimes the wound runs deeper through generations, communities, and entire systems that weren’t built with everyone’s safety in mind.
Societal injustice becomes trauma when the world around you repeatedly signals that you’re not safe, not valued, or not seen. This might look like experiencing systemic racism that keeps you on constant alert, navigating economic marginalization that leaves you in survival mode, or facing discrimination because of who you are or who you love. It can show up as immigration trauma, gender-based violence, surviving war crimes and ethnic cleansing, living in a world designed exclusively for neurotypical brains while yours works differently, witnessing the rise of authoritarianism and aggressive rhetoric in US politics, or the weight of intergenerational pain passed down through families who survived oppression, genocide, or mass atrocities.
For many people in Los Angeles and beyond, trauma isn’t just about what happened to them individually. It’s also about what has happened to people who look like them, love like them, think like them, or come from where they come from. This kind of trauma often goes unnamed, yet its effects are profound and pervasive.
How Trauma Therapy Helps You Heal
Trauma therapy isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about helping you live without being controlled by it. Many people find that even long after an experience is over, their body and mind keep reacting as if the danger is still here. Trauma therapy gives you tools and support to gently retrain those patterns so you can feel safer, more grounded, and more connected.
At GGPA, the process starts with creating a sense of safety. Healing doesn’t happen through pressure; it happens when you feel supported, respected, and understood. From there, therapy helps you notice how trauma shows up in your body and thoughts. With experienced guidance, you’ll learn how to calm overwhelming reactions, make sense of painful memories, and begin to reconnect with yourself and others in ways that feel natural again.
Evidence-based approaches such as brainspotting, trauma-focused CBT, and psychoanalytic trauma therapy each offer different pathways for healing. What they all share is the goal of reducing the hold trauma has on your everyday life. Some people notice changes like sleeping better, feeling less reactive, or having more room for joy. For others, it’s finally being able to trust that they are safe in their relationships or environments.
No matter where you’re starting from, trauma therapy in Los Angeles is about creating a life that feels freer and less burdened.
Our therapists walk alongside you – not ahead, not pushing – but as steady companions on the path back to yourself.
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What a Trauma Therapy Session Looks Like
One of the hardest parts of starting trauma therapy can be not knowing what to expect. At GGPA, we want you to feel comfortable from the very beginning.
Your first session usually starts with a simple conversation. We’ll ask about what brought you in, how you’ve been coping, and what you hope to get out of therapy. There’s no script you have to follow, and you’ll never be pushed to share more than you want to. Our role is to listen, to understand, and to help you feel grounded enough to take the next step.
Over time, sessions may include exploring the ways trauma shows up in your body, identifying triggers, and learning strategies to manage overwhelming feelings in the moment. Some sessions focus more on understanding the past; others are about practicing skills for the present. The pace is always set by you.
Many clients describe sessions as a mix of relief and discovery. Relief in being able to say things out loud without judgment. Discovery in realizing that the patterns you’ve been living with actually make sense in light of what you’ve been through, and that they can change.
If you’re unsure whether trauma therapy is right for you, the best way to find out is to try a session. You don’t have to commit to a long process before you’re ready. A single conversation can give you a sense of whether it feels safe and supportive.
Book a confidential consultation today and take the first step toward healing at your own pace.
Our Trauma Specialties at GGPA
Every person’s experience of trauma is different, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. At GGPA, our team offers a range of specialties so we can meet you where you are and provide care that truly fits. Each therapist brings a unique perspective and training, but we share the same commitment: creating a safe, supportive space for your healing.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting works with the connection between the brain and body. Instead of focusing only on words, it uses eye positions and awareness of body sensations to access and release unprocessed trauma. This approach can help people move through difficult memories without needing to retell every detail. Both Samantha and Grazel use brainspotting to help clients find relief from trauma symptoms in a gentle, client-led way.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a structured approach that blends cognitive behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive care. It helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, while offering tools to challenge unhelpful patterns. Rachel and Tiffany often use TF-CBT with younger clients, as well as adults who benefit from clear, practical strategies for managing trauma responses.
Psychoanalytic Trauma Therapy
Dr. Howard draws from a psychoanalytic approach, which looks at how past experiences and unconscious processes shape the present. For many clients, this method helps uncover deep-rooted beliefs formed by trauma and offers a way to create lasting change. It’s a slower, more exploratory process that can bring powerful insight and emotional freedom.
Grief Counseling
Trauma and grief often go hand in hand. Our therapists provide specialized grief counseling to support those navigating loss alongside trauma. This work acknowledges the depth of loss while helping you move toward healing in a compassionate and steady way.
Together, these specialties allow us to tailor therapy to you: blending science, care, and lived understanding so you don’t have to walk through recovery alone.
Why Choose GGPA for Trauma Therapy
In a city as large and diverse as Los Angeles, there’s no shortage of therapy options. What sets GGPA apart is the combination of clinical expertise and the human warmth we bring to every session. Trauma therapy isn’t just about techniques or diagnoses; it’s about finding a therapist who sees you as a whole person and creates a relationship where healing feels possible.
Our team includes therapists trained in multiple evidence-based approaches, from brainspotting and TF-CBT to psychoanalytic trauma therapy. This means we don’t lock clients into a single method. Instead, we collaborate with you to find the approach that feels most supportive for your needs and your pace.
We also value the diversity of Los Angeles. Many of our clients come from different cultural, relational, and personal backgrounds. We work hard to create an inclusive space where you can bring your full identity into therapy without fear of judgment. Whether you’re seeking trauma therapy for experiences rooted in family, relationships, or cultural identity, you’ll find clinicians here who respect and understand the complexities of your story.
Our practice has grown through referrals and word-of-mouth, not aggressive marketing. Clients trust us because we focus on quality of care. We also make it easy to start: sessions are available both in-person at our Los Angeles office and online throughout California.
When you choose GGPA for trauma therapy, you’re choosing a space where your experiences will be taken seriously, where your healing matters, and where you don’t have to face it all on your own.
Healing at Your Own Pace
One of the most important things to know about trauma therapy is that there’s no timeline you’re expected to meet. Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t follow a checklist. Some days you may feel ready to explore painful memories. Other days you might need to slow down and simply focus on feeling safe in the present. Both are valid, and both are part of the process.
At GGPA, we believe that therapy should move at your pace. You’re never required to share details you don’t feel comfortable with, and you’ll never be pushed into work you’re not ready for. Instead, we build trust step by step, checking in with you along the way. This approach ensures that the process feels collaborative and not something being done to you.
Many clients find that giving themselves permission to heal gradually is, in itself, part of the recovery. When you don’t have to force progress, real progress starts to happen. You may notice small shifts: less tension in your body, more restful sleep, or moments where joy feels possible again.
Trauma therapy in Los Angeles isn’t a rush to the finish line. It’s about reclaiming a sense of safety, choice, and self-compassion one session at a time.
You don’t have to do this alone.
When you’re ready, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Getting Started with Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles
Taking the first step into trauma therapy can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. At GGPA, we make the process straightforward and supportive from the very beginning.
It starts with a confidential consultation. This is a chance for you to share what’s been weighing on you, ask questions about therapy, and get a sense of whether we’re the right fit for you. There’s no pressure to commit. It’s just an open conversation about what you need and how we can help.
From there, we’ll work with you to schedule your first session, either in person at our Los Angeles office or online from the comfort of your home. Both options offer the same level of care, safety, and personal connection.
You’ve already taken the hardest step by considering reaching out. Everything after that is about building safety and support, one conversation at a time.
Book your trauma therapy consultation today. Whether you’re looking for relief from anxiety, struggling with memories that won’t fade, or simply want to feel more like yourself again, we’re here to help you begin.
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At GGPA, we’re here to walk alongside you with compassion, expertise, and hope. If you’re feeling distant, or simply longing to find your way back to yourself, we’re ready to help you take the next step.