If the effects of trauma are keeping you from the peace and fulfillment you deserve, we see you. Together, we’ll take a look at what parts of your history might be affecting your current struggles. By identifying what impacts your trauma is having, we can better understand your psyche and work together to find solutions that work for you. We offer a safe space where you can explore and process your experiences. Using our therapeutic relationship and evidence-based therapies, we will address the effects of trauma and work to heal from them.
Trauma’s impact is multifaceted, often leading to emotional pain, physical symptoms, and challenges in relationships. We approach your care with compassion and a commitment to addressing your unique needs. Healing is possible, and together we’ll take the steps toward rebuilding your sense of safety, connection, and hope.
Why We Specialize in Trauma Treatment
Treating trauma requires a specialized and nuanced approach because of the potential for re-traumatization during the healing process. At Sagebrush Psychotherapy, we are trained specifically in trauma treatments to ensure the care we provide is both safe and effective. We integrate evidence-based techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support your recovery. These methods are proven to help individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce the lasting effects of trauma.
Our approach is rooted in understanding the importance of both bottom-up and top-down strategies for healing. Bottom-up techniques, like somatic therapy and EMDR, focus on addressing trauma stored in the body, helping to regulate physical responses. Top-down approaches, such as DBT and CBT, help you process thoughts, emotions, and behaviors linked to trauma. By integrating these methods, we provide holistic care tailored to your unique journey.
We are passionate about offering a compassionate space where you can safely explore your experiences without fear of judgment. Our training and dedication to trauma-focused care allow us to support you as you navigate the complexities of healing. Together, we’ll work toward reducing the effects of trauma and empowering you to reclaim your life with resilience and confidence.
Therapy for Specific Traumas
Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles: Healing and Recovery
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Experiencing sexual trauma may leave you feeling disconnected, ashamed, or overwhelmed by emotions that can be difficult to navigate. You may experience anxiety, depression, shame, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, difficulties in intimate relationships, or a sense of disconnection from your body or emotions. Living with this kind of trauma might feel like carrying an invisible weight that impacts many aspects of your life, making even small moments feel challenging.
We aim to help you address the emotional and physical effects of sexual trauma. Our approach focuses on supporting you in regaining control over your life, fostering self-compassion, and reconnecting with your sense of self. Healing is possible, and we’ll walk with you every step of the way.
Addressing Relationship Trauma and Domestic Violence
Relationship trauma, including domestic violence, may leave you feeling trapped in fear, self-doubt, or a sense of hopelessness. Survivors of these experiences might find themselves feeling hypervigilant, fearful of intimacy, struggling with flashbacks, guilt, shame, anxiety, low self-esteem, and having difficulty trusting others. Living with this type of trauma can sometimes feel like walking on eggshells, even long after the harmful relationship has ended. You may find it challenging to set boundaries, trust yourself, or form healthy connections.
We provide a safe, supportive space where you can begin to process these experiences and work toward healing. Our trauma-focused therapy seeks to address the emotional wounds caused by control, manipulation, or violence while empowering you to rebuild a sense of safety and confidence. Whether you’re recovering from past abuse or navigating the aftermath of a harmful relationship, we’ll work with you to help you break free from the cycle of trauma and reclaim your life.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Living with trauma may feel like being stuck in the past, where memories of what happened seem to intrude on your present life. These distressing memories might cause flashbacks, emotional overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, physical tension, or a persistent sense of fear or sadness. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from these experiences.
EMDR works by targeting traumatic memories and using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess them. This can reduce their emotional intensity and help release their hold on your life. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR allows you to address trauma without having to relive it in detail, making it a compassionate and effective approach to healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Intrusive memories are unwanted, distressing recollections of traumatic events that can appear suddenly and feel vivid or overwhelming. They may include flashbacks, disturbing images, or strong emotional reactions triggered by reminders of the trauma.
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A trigger is anything—such as a sound, smell, place, or situation—that reminds you of a traumatic experience and causes an emotional or physical reaction. Triggers can bring up intense feelings, intrusive memories, or behaviors related to the trauma. Identifying and understanding triggers is an essential step in trauma therapy, helping you regain control and reduce their impact on your daily life.
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Yes, trauma can cause dissociation. Dissociation is a coping mechanism where your mind disconnects from thoughts, feelings, memories, or surroundings, often as a response to overwhelming stress or trauma. It may feel like zoning out, detaching from reality, or experiencing memory gaps. While dissociation can provide temporary relief, it can also make processing trauma more challenging.
We recognize the diversity of experiences when it comes to trauma, and we honor your unique journey. Whether you’re seeking support for processing past events, managing emotional triggers, or rebuilding a sense of trust and safety, we’re here to meet you where you are.
You deserve a life free from the weight of past trauma and the patterns it may have created. By addressing the effects of trauma, you can reclaim your sense of safety, self-worth, and connection to yourself and others.
Proudly serving the Los Angeles community and surrounding areas, we offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to support your healing journey in a way that works best for you.