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Trauma and PTSD Therapists in California

Find the right therapist in California for you. Each profile lists the insurances the provider takes, typical costs per session, and how to get in contact.
Christy GarciaC

Christy Garcia

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Online & In-Person
Why is trauma processing important?
Trauma can be very difficult to move past. Often it get stuck, not only in our memories and emotions, but also in the body. There can be times when a person has a physiological reaction, such as a panic attack, that seemingly comes out of nowhere. This can leave a person feeling helpless and powerless to control their circumstances. These symptoms can interfere for normal functioning or relationships. This is why it's important to face traumatic events and learn about how trauma affects not only the mind (memories, emotions and thoughts), but also the body. Dealing with trauma can feel like a daunting task. I don't treat this issue lightly. I don't force clients to dive into their trauma when they're not ready. Rather, I educate my clients about what trauma is, how it affects someone, why it causes people to suffer in the way that it does and what they can do about it. Then, once you've developed some coping skills to manage the distressing feelings and reactions, you will feel more confident processing the traumatic memories in an appropriate way.
I work with adult survivors of early childhood trauma. I also work with people who suffer from generalized anxiety such as over-thinking and inability to control worry. Lastly I help people who are dealing with mild to moderate depression and have experienced grief and loss, low self-esteem, or lack of motivation.
Amber CreamerA

Amber Creamer

Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
I help women resolve negative childhood experiences and reconnect with themselves so they can build healthy relationships. I will create a safe place for you to heal so you can fully step into your power and purpose. You no longer have to go through the pain of what you have experienced alone! I will journey with you weekly or bi-weekly to help you overcome what you have experienced and teach you the necessary coping skills. I will gently challenge patterns and assumptions that have kept you stuck so you can live the life you have envisioned for yourself free from the impact of trauma. I utilize talk therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help the women I work with create meaningful shifts in their lives. I also offer EMDR intensives to hep the women I work with fast-track their healing so they can feel better faster. Visit my website to learn more about EMDR intensives.
Are you a woman that has done everything expected and more, but it never feels like enough, and your life is far from what you hoped? Everyone thinks that you have it all together, but inside you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities. You realize that you have given everything to your relationships, but you struggle to lean into them because you don’t feel supported. You know that you want to do things differently and be different, but you are unsure of what that even looks like. It is possible for you to cultivate a life you genuinely love, with the people that matter the most, by gaining a deeper sense of who you are. Therapy should be a safe space where you can grow, flourish, and heal. Our sessions will help you learn to see the big picture so you can shift your perspective, get clear about what matters, and create lasting change in your life and relationships. We will focus on the whole of who you are so you can truly be whole and step into your power and purpose. As an experienced women’s therapist, I believe you can resist shrinking yourself to make others comfortable, have confidence managing life’s ups and downs, and prioritize your needs guilt free. Our work will help you develop the tools to create positive, lasting changes that honor your values and wellbeing. Visit my website to schedule a free consultation.
Ruben YuR

Ruben Yu

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Therapy
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
When working with clients experiencing trauma or PTSD, I prioritize creating a safe, compassionate space where they feel understood and respected. I take a gentle, paced approach, allowing clients to process traumatic experiences at a comfortable rate. Using techniques such as grounding exercises and mindfulness, I help clients manage distressing symptoms and reconnect with a sense of control. Together, we work on building coping skills, strengthening resilience, and gradually exploring and reframing difficult memories. My goal is to support clients in healing and finding a renewed sense of stability and hope.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am committed to providing caring and complete healthcare. My focus is to respect each person's unique needs and values, emphasizing patient-centered care. I strive to support mental, emotional, and overall well-being, helping clients achieve optimal health. You can trust me to listen with empathy and kindness, always respecting your preferences. It is my honor to assist you on your journey to better mental and emotional wellness. Treatment philosophy Each individual is unique - and deserves to be treated as such. My mission is simple: to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that fosters mental, emotional, and holistic well-being, always respecting and honoring each individual's preferences and values. As an empathic partner in my client's journey toward mental and emotional well-being, expect me always to be listening with an open heart and mind and with compassion and empathy. It is both a privilege and a vocation to offer my services in my role as a healthcare provider,.. and partner.
Maralee WhitakerM

Maralee Whitaker

ACSW
Online Therapy
Why is trauma processing important?
I believe that without the ability to continually process our life traumas we are hindered and controlled by old thoughts, patterns and feelings. Trauma creates many responses in the individual, some of which are very positive. We use both sides of these events to work through how the individual will change some parts and accept and work with others.
I have always known that my calling was to help others. I have spent my life learning and growing in my profession to be able to reach all those who need help with an open and supportive heart. I believe all people who suffer are capable of being helped and deserve to live happy and fulfilling lives. In my practice, I focus on strengths and assist people to enhance their shortcomings. Through our work together my clients increase their ability to trust, create and maintain healthy relationships, become confident and hopeful for the future. I specialize in child abuse, domestic violence, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I am skilled in working with adults and teenagers and have many years of professional experience with the child welfare system and family conflict. I use trauma informed and strength-based practice. I accept Medi-Cal, Blue-Cross Medi-Cal as well as California Health and Wellness and MHN| Health Net. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. If you feel that we may work well together please contact me at the listed phone number. I look forward to meeting you and working through your concerns with you.
Monica ChukwudiM

Monica Chukwudi

PMHNP-BC
Online Therapy
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
When working with clients experiencing trauma and PTSD, I prioritize building a safe, trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences. I use trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients process traumatic memories, manage emotional responses, and gradually confront triggers. I also incorporate mindfulness and grounding techniques, empowering clients with practical tools to manage stress and anxiety. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and tailored to each person’s unique needs, focusing on healing and restoring well-being.
I am a Board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to helping patients achieve mental wellness. With experience in both adult and children's psychiatry. I focus on building strong, supportive relationships with my patients. I believe in providing a safe space for healing and growth. I work well in team settings and collaborate with various healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based. I conduct psychiatric evaluations, diagnose mental health disorders, develop treatment plans, manage medications, and offer health education. My career journey includes roles such as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse with Headway, Supervisor/Charge Nurse at Kedren Mental Hospital and Charge nurse at Exodus Recovery Crisis Residential Treatment Program. I have a strong educational background, including a Masters degree from Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. I am passionate about patient safety, quality care, and effective communication. I am also a proud member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association. Let's work together towards a better mental health future! Treatment philosophy: - I believe in the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship with my patients and creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. I am dedicated to providing evidence-based, compassionate and culturally sensitive care to help my patient achieve mental wellness and improve quality of life.
Randy KaukR

Randy Kauk

Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner in 6 States
Online & In-Person
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
When working with clients who have experienced trauma and PTSD, I create a safe environment and provide education on symptoms and coping strategies. I use evidence-based therapies like CPT or EMDR, teach coping skills, and may collaborate on medication management. I offer supportive counseling, gradual exposure to triggers, and consider holistic well-being in the treatment plan. Collaboration and advocacy are prioritized to empower clients in their healing journey.
I have been a medical professional for 14 years. I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner in six states, including Arizona, Michigan, Kansas, Florida, Nevada, and California. I have worked in a variety of settings including hospital medicine, primary care, chronic care management, acute rehabilitation, telemedicine, mental health, pain management, home health, MAT therapy, hospice, university teaching, and medical aesthetics. I am a graduate of Oakland University, Grand Canyon University, and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. I am a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and hold ACNPC-AG certification from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and ACLS/BLS certifications from the American Heart Association. I enjoy helping my clients restore their mental and physical health and teaching them how to best use the tools they have to handle difficulties and illnesses. I am committed to providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive medical and mental health services to my patients. I believe medicine should be more about maintaining health rather than trying to cure disease, and ensuring mental health is always considered as it is vital to living a happy and healthy life. I believe medicine should be more about maintaining health rather than trying to cure disease, and ensuring your mental health is always considered as it is vital to living a happy and healthy life. I enjoy travel, especially the beach, time with my children and grandchildren, and cooking during my downtime.
Jennie DenneyJ

Jennie Denney

AMFT
Online & In-Person
How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?
When I work with clients navigating trauma or PTSD, my first priority is creating a sense of emotional safety. Trauma often lives in the body and nervous system, not just in memory—so we move slowly, with care, and always at your pace. I use a trauma-informed, attachment-based lens to help you feel more grounded in the present while gently exploring what’s been overwhelming or unresolved in the past. One of the primary tools I use is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a research-backed method that helps your brain reprocess traumatic experiences so they no longer feel as raw, triggering, or intrusive. EMDR doesn’t require you to retell every detail—instead, it allows your brain and body to do the healing work in a structured, contained way. I may also integrate parts work (like Internal Family Systems), somatic awareness, and relational processing depending on your needs. My goal is never to push you into the trauma, but to walk with you through it—helping you make sense of what happened, reconnect with your inner strength, and reclaim a sense of safety and wholeness.
Hi, I’m Jennie Denney, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist passionate about helping individuals, teens, couples, and families navigate the hard stuff—like self-harm, identity challenges, religious trauma, and relationship ruptures. My approach is trauma-informed and deeply rooted in attachment work, and I use integrative methods like EMDR, IFS, and EFT to support lasting change. I believe therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and grounded in real connection. I'm here to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.