Trauma and PTSD Therapists in North Hills, San Diego, CA
See all therapists in North Hills, San Diego
Aron Pederson
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Some of the areas that I work with include: anxiety,
trauma
, grief and loss, recovery from sexual addiction, and family of origin issues.
Clients who work with me will find an inviting and collaborative environment where they can bring their “whole” self, the “messy” parts included, and engage in a process to better understand their stories and contexts, while receiving practical suggestions to support their experiences both during and outside of therapy sessions. I enjoy working with clients who wish to get unstuck from repetitive, troublesome, or self-defeating patterns of relating to themselves, others, or their world.

Alex Tanon
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Looking for a queer affirming therapist who reflects your identity and provides a safe space to heal? Struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, or
PTSD
? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Life is too short to be held back by relationships that no longer serve us,
trauma
that continues to impact our daily lives, and anxious thinking that preoccupies us day after day. My goal is to work with you to identify and incorporate coping skills that will lend to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Lauren Bryan
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My training has been focused on unburdening somatic symptoms through EMDR and using evidenced based
trauma
treatment such as Somatic Experience Therapy and Internal Family Systems.
We will work together to help navigate life stresses and upsetting events in order to find your healing journey. Through our time together we will explore past/current wounds, life's difficulties, and future desires to help build mind, body, and spiritual connections. If you are seeking and wanting to integrate faith into our time together, I am honored to have this as a centering piece of our time together.

Jenny Burgraff
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I have extensive experience working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety and
trauma
, along with challenges with self-regulation, self-esteem, self-harm, grief, substance use and adjustment to life changes, including medical diagnoses and chronic illness.
Are you experiencing dark or anxious thoughts? Having difficulty making it through the day? Looking, acting and feeling less like yourself? Not sleeping, sleeping too much? We live in uncertain times but that doesn’t mean that we are destined to travel through them alone nor do we have to live with constant and painful levels of stress and sadness, or anger and irritability. The gift of therapy is to feel safe, understood and hopeful. Together we can build a trusting relationship where thoughts and feelings are safely explored. We will find your strengths and locate strategies to meet your challenges and help you move forward.

Emily Jane Dailey
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Do you struggle with emotion regulation, relationship problems, body image, negative thoughts? Unprocessed
trauma
causes a lot of pain and can be confusing to navigate. It colors every aspect of our lives. I specialize in treating disordered eating, eating disorders, body image, anxiety and other women's health issues.

Mandy Christina Pfaff
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in
trauma
, but treat all types of anxiety and stress-related disorders.
I guide you through present struggles and implement practices that help you gain insight and continue to thrive in the future! I offer a combination of psychodynamic/ traditional talk therapy, CBT, and somatic psychotherapy, as well as nutrition and movement-based strategies for a more holistic approach to your health. As an avid researcher and practitioner, I incorporate a range of therapeutic techniques pulling from a variety of disciplines- including yoga, meditation, biofeedback and expressive arts. I work with all ages, having had the privilege of treating clients from the age of 4 to 95!

Victoria Buttery
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
I specialize in helping adults that have experienced
trauma
, adversity, or stressful/painful life events discover their inner resilience.
Resilience is often described as adapting to difficulties in a way that leads to personal growth. If you are in a difficult season or struggling, therapy may help you tap into your inner resilience. Please visit my website to learn more about my therapy practice and expertise, and how I may be able to support you on your journey into resilience. I offer mental health support using evidence-based techniques for a variety of concerns (e.g., relationship struggles, anxiety, stress); evidence-based
PTSD
treatments (CPT, PE, EMDR); and faith-informed care for Christian clients that want to incorporate their faith into therapy.

Jennifer V Kulka
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I can help you cope and heal from sexual and relationship
trauma
.
Trauma
can fracture who you are as a person. It can make you feel unlike yourself, distant from others, and changed forever. This does not have to be permanent. Together, we can build resilience, access your strengths, and free you from your past. Learning to understand your
trauma
, manage symptoms, change unhealthy relationship patterns, and increase self-esteem can help you cultivate the life and meaningful relationships that you want. Many of my clients have experienced rape, sexual assault, childhood abuse, systemic oppression, and/or violence from a partner.
Waitlist for new clients

Kayla Whaley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ADV-SEP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have over 8 years experience in the mental health field, with a background in
trauma
awareness psychotherapy including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support clients in understanding and regulating thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
Hi, my name is Kayla and my hope is to continue to support individuals in navigating the effects of daily stress and anxiety to more complex issues of depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Whether it's learning to understand our own mental health or just gain a better understanding of our own thoughts and feelings, I believe that each of us hold the ability to heal, and in doing so, find what helps us thrive. My approach to each session is to provide a safe space for clients to be at ease in the present and gain clarity while exploring, challenging and healing core wounds, values and behaviors.

Annie Karamanukyan
Psychological Associate
Verified
Verified
I am a pre-licensed psychologist and a registered psychological associate working under the supervision of Dr. Kaila Smith and Dr. Lisa Black to complete my post-doctoral training for licensure working with adolescents, adults, and couples. I have extensive training in treating mood and anxiety disorders,
trauma
/
PTSD
, relationship issues, grief and loss, and chronic illnesses. I have experience working with individuals in the U.S. Military and their families. At this time, I provide telehealth services remotely.
Waitlist for new clients

Kara Kimball
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I'd love to support you as you access your innate resilience to the
trauma
, suffering and emotional distress you have and will experience so you can have a life of meaning and ease!.
Life can often feel overwhelming. Many of us have developed patterns of thinking, feeling and connecting to help us get by, but are finding that they may no longer be helpful. Whether you are needing support in managing overwhelming feelings of anxiety or depression, suffering from unresolved experiences in childhood or adulthood, or hoping to repair painful or conflict-filled relationships, therapy can be a place of support for you to move away from unhelpful patterns and experiences to live in ways that feel safe, secure, even enjoyable.
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Michelle Smith
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I'm a versatile therapist focused on creating a supportive environment and providing compassionate and helpful feedback. I began my career more than 15 years ago working with adults and children who've experienced
trauma
. I specialize in treating individuals with depression, stress and anxiety and provide couple and family counseling to improve relationships and parenting. I have two primary goals as a therapist - create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe and supportive to clients and provide therapy that's effective in relieving suffering and improving people's lives. I'm here to help you reach your goals.
Not accepting new clients

Stephen Brewer
Psychologist, PsyD, CCTP-II
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I use a
trauma
-sensitive approach as a CCTP-II certified provider, inviting you to practice breathwork, meditation, and visualization.
Feeling understood and cared for are important ingredients in any helping relationship. My commitment to you if we decide to work together is that we will face your challenges, concerns, and celebrations together as a team. As a psychologist, I'm very interested in getting to know you as best as possible so that together we can work toward improving your quality of life. I specialize in adults and teenagers experiencing men's health issues, addictions, depression, anxiety,
trauma
, & complex
PTSD
.

Jaimi S Martin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDR
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I am also passionate about childhood
trauma
.
Here is what I believe: Everyone needs an objective person to help support and guide them through life’s challenges, transitions and hurdles. I believe the most important aspect of therapy is a trusting, nonjudgmental, and compassionate relationship with your therapist; therapy should feel safe, and provide you relief. I enjoy working with people from different background to help them discover their true self and overcoming the obstacles that may obscure their journey to happiness and self-fulfillment. I utilize humanistic mindful approaches to support wellness.
Waitlist for new clients

Amy Anderson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BS, MSW, LCSW
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
We all can feel overwhelmed when dealing with life's hurdles. At times, having a safe person to talk things out confidentially- promotes self-reflection, improves personal and relationship outcomes, and emotional depth to overcome any obstacle that presents itself. Life can feel amplified when we harness our authentic values, trust our intuition, embrace emotional regulation & communication skills that allow us to connect deeply. I love working with couples who have experienced
trauma
, substance use, or burnout re-connect authentically. I'm passionate about helping you feel more invigorated and alive.
Not accepting new clients

Mia Sarno (Dr. Mimi)
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I work most often with clients who struggle from
trauma
, anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
Healing can feel impossible when life keeps throwing us challenges and harmful systems around us don’t change. It’s easy to feel stuck and lose hope, motivation and inspiration. Healing is possible under the right conditions, including being with someone who truly cares, listens, and sees you. My approach to therapy is humanistic, transpersonal and integrative. This means I appreciate the multiple layers of existence we all experience, including our minds, physical bodies, energy bodies, cultural contexts, and systemic contexts. I honor your unique identity and potential to achieve personal fulfillment, however that looks for you.

Odelia Morovati
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RPT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I truly believe we all have the resources within us to grow and heal. However, there are times we become "stuck" in life and overcome with fear or other factors. I am passionate in working with children and adults in helping them recognize deeper/underlying issues or past traumatic experiences that can impair a person's function each day in various ways. I specialize in anxiety, depression,
PTSD
, and complex
trauma
(Ie physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, DV, life adjustments, grief/loss). I am trained in EMDR, a research-based treatment that facilitates the brain's own capacity to heal.

Collaborative Connections
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
A life where you remember what it is like without Anxiety, Depression or
Trauma
as the primary author of your story.
It’s tough when you or your relationship feel broken. I’m here to collaborate with you and figure out how to connect those pieces back together so that you feel stronger. It is natural to start questioning yourself and not feel accepted. You may start getting stressed, feeling frustrated, unhappy, and blame yourself/others because there are needs that do not feel met. There can be nagging worries you may have that are preventing you from living your full life. And if we allow ourselves to dig deeper, you may feel invisible, a burden or that maybe you don't deserve better...

Lisa B Campbell
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I specialize in cognitive-behavioral treatments for depression, anxiety,
trauma
, and self-injurious behaviors.
Your decision to seek psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity to process the challenges you are currently experiencing, identify your values, and develop the skills needed to reach your goals. I enjoy working with adults, couples, and families. I strive to provide quality treatment in a warm, collaborative setting.

Trena Lee Ensign
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have worked in the counseling field for over 10 years, working mostly with women, the majority of whom have experienced
trauma
.
Welcome, if you have found yourself here, it means you are thinking about making some changes in your life. Making the decision to begin a journey of self discovery can be scary to say the least. May I share some of my thoughts with you. I believe in the, "Law of Correspondence", which states that what is going on in our outer world is nothing more than a reflection of what is going on in our inner world. As within, so without, as above, so below. It would be my honor, and privilege to help you discover your best self.
See more therapy options for ,
Trauma and PTSD Therapists
When should I seek treatment for trauma?
Not everyone who undergoes trauma needs therapy to heal, but many do. If, after experiencing a traumatic event, you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, dissociation, irritability, or emotional numbness—especially if these symptoms last more than a month and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning—you may benefit from seeking out therapy with a trauma-informed provider.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Different types of therapy for trauma unfold on different timelines. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, for example, each take about three months, while trauma-informed CBT may last anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. Other approaches, especially those that are less structured or that incorporate elements from multiple modalities, may be more open-ended, though many patients report feeling better within the first few months of treatment.
What happens if trauma is left untreated?
Unaddressed trauma can have serious—even devastating—effects on relationships, career, and day-to-day functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead people to distrust or lash out at others, making it difficult to maintain intimate relationships; it can also trigger symptoms such as flashbacks or hyperreactivity that can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively, personally and/or professionally. Some sufferers turn to drugs to find relief. Symptoms may lessen on their own with time, but there is no guarantee that PTSD will resolve on its own.
Can PTSD come back after treatment?
It is possible for PTSD symptoms to recur months or years after successful treatment. This is because, like most mental health disorders, it is not possible to “cure” PTSD, and stressful life events may cause symptoms to recur in even the most resilient individuals. There is no shame in re-experiencing PTSD symptoms nor in returning to therapy when such relapses occur; indeed, many forms of trauma therapy explicitly encourage periodic “maintenance sessions” to reinforce coping skills and ensure that symptoms stay manageable.