Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Pasadena, CA

Hello. My name is Iihae (pronounced E-heh). I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and I have been in this field for over 26 years. I have worked with clients of all ages and from all walks of life. My special interest is in working with trauma . I have extensive training in various therapeutic modalities including Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Brainspotting, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM).

HeIlo! Welcome! Are you feeling down, lost, anxious, alone, overwhelmed? I provide a client centered, empathic approach and assist clients with losses, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, life changes, stress and Trauma . Traumatic events can follow a person throughout their lifespan (shows up as emotional dysregulation affecting oneself and our relationships) unless we intentionally focus on healing. I provide EMDR which is a holistic approach to healing trauma and disturbing events in addition to using other therapy approaches. I do not meet with couples or families. LGBTQ+ affirmative. Email is the best to reach me.

As a therapist I have witnessed healing and its splendor in the darkest of circumstances and am honored when individuals choose to embark on this journey with me. I know the decision to enter therapy is not always easy. Therapy is not easy. But therapy heals. When you enter therapy you put forth a willingness to acknowledge painful emotions and circumstances and a readiness to explore life events that are often uncomfortable, sometimes even paralyzing. But the insight and meaning you will gain from therapy will lead to transformation, comfort and growth.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Hopeless? Scared? Stuck? Do you feel like your world is spinning out of control? Are you taking care of a family member with a disability or illness? Do you wish the chaos would stop? What would it be like to not feel that way? Sometimes past hurts affect present relationships. Sometimes what you know in your head doesn't match what you feel in your heart. Sometimes multiple stressors can overwhelm you. And sometimes we just need a tune-up for our lives.

Whether you need support through a challenging life transition, you hope to address recent and/or past trauma , or you'd like to understand yourself better, I will bring an engaged and empathic attitude to our work together. I work with a trauma informed lens, and draw from various theories and approaches including but not limited to Psychodynamic, Attachment, Ego State Therapy/Parts Work, and Cognitive Behavioral. I also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. I'm LGBTQIA+ and social justice allied, and have experience with & enjoy working with folks with different backgrounds from my own.

I have over a decade of training and experience providing therapy to children, adolescences and adults. I believe that people have a great deal of resiliancy and strength and that there are times in our lives that we need help to uncover and remember how strong we are. I work with people to uncover their own strengths to help themselves out of any situation that arises in their lives. I have a great deal of experience in treating trauma related disorder such as depression and anxiety.

Therapy is a powerful tool that can build awareness, provide healing, and bring about transformative change. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and effort to experience the painful aspects of life, and sometimes we get stuck on how to move forward. Therapy can teach us to be better equipped to cope, to change the parts of ourselves and our relationships that aren't working, and create new ways of relating to ourselves and others. I create a safe space to engage in a real and honest exploration of what is and isn't working, provide you with the tools, and empower you to make changes.

Childhood trauma can cripple us, it creates overpowering ‘intense’ emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger when left unattended which begins to create physical symptoms to defend our bodies from the internal wounds. Has there ever been a time in your life where you have experienced this reaction? Are you experiencing these feelings based on current or past trauma from childhood, early teens, adolescence, adulthood, or as a senior? I aim to utilize a variety of actionable techniques to help reduce trauma related symptoms and make lasting changes in life.

Are you trapped in pain? Do you worry about your relationships and not know how to fix them? Deep down do you question whether you are good enough for others to like you or to succeed in life? Are you afraid to trust others and let them see the real you? Is it hard to get close to people? Do you struggle with painful memories that intrude into your mind at the worst moments? If you are in pain, I would love to walk alongside you and help you rediscover hope.

In all phases of life, we face constant change and unexpected circumstances. Even for those who are strongly independent and resilient, life can be overwhelming at times. Therapy can be a space to explore the parts of life that feel uncertain and unmanageable, and identify where you want to go from here. Building the foundation for growth in therapy starts by creating a safe, genuine space where people can feel heard, understood, and valued for the person they are. I believe that people can foster long-term growth through understanding their journey, connecting with their true emotions, and empowering choice with authenticity.

I specialize in treating adolescents and adults with trauma , anxiety, depression, life transitions and addiction. I enjoy providing support to the LGBTQI+ community and practice an open-minded sex-positive approach to individuals and couples as they explore their sexuality. I understand the importance of working to establish a trusting relationship within the therapeutic process to promote openness and change. I work to empower individuals to embrace struggle and overcome future challenges.

Have you ever experienced not being able to make sense of your feelings or your behavior? Do you feel like you are stuck and you don't know how to move on?  Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma , and/or identity issues, I am equipped to walk along side you in this progressive journey.  I utilize  psychoanalytic, CBT, EMDR and trauma informed to treat a wide variety of emotional issues. What does that mean? My goal through therapy is to improve your self awareness so that you would have a clear understanding of your current behavior, which might have been caused unconsciously by past experiences.

I use compassionate, directive and practical approaches to treat PTSD and the symptoms associated with trauma . My life experiences have given me unique insight into the impact and treatment of trauma .

I am accepting new clients! I specialize in working with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma and difficulties managing emotions and behaviors. I have expertise in working with second generation individuals. I used evidence-based treatments such as, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness based approaches. Through a collaborative approach, I can help you develop skills to more effectively cope and create meaningful life changes.

Life can feel so heavy and hard sometimes. Maybe you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, the effects of trauma , or difficulty in your relationships, and there’s a small voice inside you saying, “I’m tired. I want things to feel easier.” -------------------- I hold a space for you that is warm and open, where you are allowed to just BE. Where you can feel safe expressing and exploring what has been weighing you down. I provide talk therapy (including somatic work, mindfulness, and play) as well as EMDR for individuals, children and teens, couples, and families.

My mission as a therapist is to affirm the best in you. I believe that as human beings we require a sense of safety and affirmation in order to take the courageous step of examining our own lives, even those aspects that are painful. I seek to provide that safety with a warm and collaborate approach to treatment. The services I provide are trauma focused and identity affirming. I have experience working with young adults in community mental health, as well as with adolescents in a high school setting.

Do you struggle with feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, or low self-esteem? Do you find yourself avoiding social engagements or so preoccupied with excessive worrying? Finding ways to navigate these difficult feelings can help you get back on track. I use a psychodynamic approach and CBT that focuses on uncovering patterns of behavior and ways of relating to ourselves and others that are often outside of our awareness. I also consider how our past impacts who we are today. Through acceptance and empathy, we will establish a trusting therapeutic relationship and work together toward your personal growth and self-discovery.