Trauma & PTSD Therapy in California
Effective, Evidence-Based Treatment Using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Trauma can change the way you see yourself, other people, and the world. You may feel constantly on edge, emotionally numb, irritable, or easily triggered. Memories may feel intrusive and hard to control. You might avoid certain places, conversations, or experiences because they bring up painful reminders.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and effective treatment is available.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as an accident, assault, medical trauma, combat exposure, or other overwhelming experiences.
Common symptoms include:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Feeling hypervigilant, jumpy, or constantly on guard
- Guilt, shame, or self-blame
- Negative beliefs about yourself or the world
- Emotional numbness or difficulty feeling connected
Trauma can also affect relationships, work, sleep, and your overall sense of safety.
How Trauma Affects Beliefs
After trauma, it’s common to develop painful beliefs such as:
- “It was my fault.”
- “I should have prevented it.”
- “I’m not safe.”
- “I can’t trust anyone.”
- “I’m damaged.”
These beliefs can keep you stuck long after the danger has passed.
Trauma can also intensify anxiety disorders or OCD symptoms.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Trauma
I use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a research-supported treatment for PTSD. CPT helps you:
- Understand how trauma has impacted your thinking
- Identify patterns of self-blame or unhelpful beliefs
- Develop more balanced, realistic ways of thinking
- Reduce avoidance and emotional reactivity
- Regain a sense of control and confidence
CPT is structured, collaborative, and focused on helping you process the trauma in a safe and manageable way. Many clients experience meaningful symptom reduction and improved functioning.
What to Expect in Treatment
Therapy is tailored to your needs and pace. Together, we will:
- Clarify how trauma is showing up in your life
- Identify beliefs that are maintaining distress
- Practice specific tools between sessions
- Monitor progress and adjust as needed
My goal is not only to reduce symptoms, but to help you feel stronger, clearer, and more grounded moving forward.
If you’re struggling with the effects of trauma or PTSD, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if trauma-focused therapy is the right fit for you.
If trauma is intensifying OCD and anxiety symptoms, I have also worked effectively with individuals who struggle with co-occurring trauma and OCD/anxiety.
