Trauma and PTSD Therapists in San Luis Obispo, CA
See all therapists in San Luis Obispo
Dr. Zillah Jessamyn Hodgkins
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I began my career as a counselor of sexual assault survivors and over the last 14 years I have been gifted to do depth work with various and diverse populations from children to older adults,
trauma
survivors, those experiencing systemic injustice- racism, sexism, homophobia, depression, neurodivergence, suicidal ideation, grief, and chronic illness.
Therapy is meant to be a warm, inviting, safe, and healing place to learn your true self and find your peace, beauty, and power. I find it an honor to be a guide on your journey of discovery. I am a compassion focused queer therapist who believes in social justice and knows strength and courage grows from our struggles. Life is hard but it is important to know we are not alone and there are many therapeutic skills we can learn such as art, music, self-compassion, narrative, nature, and laughter that can be used to overcome. At Thrive our mission is to heal your whole being!

Christina Dee
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
10 Endorsed
Verified
10 Endorsed
I have many years of experience supporting others heal through a variety of issues including emotional injuries, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, phase of life transitions and initiations, existential crisis', fear and panic, family of origin and attachment issues, guilt, co-dependency, spiritual emergency and individual and vicarious
trauma
.
Connecting with yourself can bring a greater calm and balance to your life. I provide a warm presence to help you nourish, strengthen and restore yourself to emotional, physical and spiritual wellness. Whether you wish you heal a broken heart, process grief and loss, resolve a work challenge or discover ways to fine-tune your beliefs and attitudes, I am ready to journey by your side as a source of support, guidance and insight.

Ana Cabezas
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Life has been challenging. You're living in a state of multiple crises (both personal and global) and trying to navigate relentless responsibilities each day. You’ve endured injustices,
trauma
, and personal losses. You're trying to stay afloat, but sometimes you feel like you’re drowning. As Latina who's had many of these experiences, I recognize the significant impact they have on your mental health. My focus in therapy is to explore what barriers keeps you from having the quality of life you want. I believe that people do the best they can within the context of their lives. Support is available to guide you through this process.
Not accepting new clients

Priscilla Kiessig
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, children/adolsecents/families, major life transitions,
trauma
/
PTSD
and stress management.
We all face moments that test our foundations. Seasons where we find ourselves struggling, often feeling alone and quietly wishing things would get better. It’s important for you to know that there’s no need to suffer. Hope is here. As therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), warmth, empathy, and growth are what you can expect from our time together. I believe in a compassionate, integrated approach to care, specifically tailored to meet your individual needs.

Shelly Staley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Your anxiety, depression or
trauma
is an integral part of your story, but doesn’t define you and doesn't need to control your life any more. Using a
trauma
informed, client centered approach I want to help you find relief from the noise in your head. Together, we will highlight your innate resiliencies and empower you to build up your inner strength and confidence to live your life in the present, while honoring your past and feeling hopeful about the future. In addition to providing
trauma
informed therapy for adults, I also have a passion for working with kids and their parents.

Karen A Akre
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
EMDR is a widely recognized psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from distressing life events and
trauma
.
Seeking therapy is a brave and vulnerable choice. My hope is you will feel my office provides a safe haven to be your authentic self. Working together we will ensure your treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. I will provide unconditional acceptance and support while you process through the emotions and circumstances which led you to seek out therapy.

Rachel Quigley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
With adults I incorporate talk, somatic, relational, CBT and other
trauma
-informed approaches allowing for individualized collaboration in healing.
I imagine you're here seeking some support in navigating a challenging time, feeling or change in your life. Lets learn about that together. I offer you a sacred time and space to explore the elements that are leading to this current situation. I utilize a holistic, mindful and relational approach adapted to each individual who walks in including children, teens and adults. As a Somatically trained therapist, I encourage therapy to gather information from your thoughts, feelings and beliefs as well as information from you body (sensations, pain, tension, movements). I encourage self-learning, self-compassion and learning new skills.

Grace Peavy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MSW
Verified
Verified
Grace brings experience across complex family systems,
trauma
, and relational issues.
Grace (licensed as Margaret Peavy), offers client-centered therapy to adults, youth, and families navigating life’s challenges. Taking the time and energy to earn your trust, she shares a relational approach to spark genuine connection in a non-judgemental space where you’re encouraged to build on your strengths. Over a decade serving youth and families of all ages in the mental health community makes Grace an impactful facilitator of personal growth.

Josie Traub
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My areas of specialty are specific to grief, anxiety, depression, and
trauma
.
Often times there are aspects of ourselves that we ignore, or push away to avoid experiencing pain or emotions that can feel unbearable. Pushing away parts of ourselves has an impact on our ability to connect with who we are as a whole person. My approach in therapy involves looking at all of these parts within our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual zones and examine the way they interact with one another. I work in partnership with my clients to help them discover; their path, what's important to them, and find their truest self.

Marina Resa
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
The needs of others come before your own? Sometimes, as children, we fundamentally altered who we were to adjust to
trauma
, role-reversals, and cold parenting. This can create an underdeveloped sense of self or we are sensitive the slightest shifts in the moods of others. Relationships are scary. When happiness finally starts to seep in, an overwhelming fear sets in that it will all collapse & disappear.
Waitlist for new clients

Cortney Wagner
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I work with adults and youth who have experienced
trauma
(physical/sexual/emotional abuse, attachment disruption, domestic violence, divorce), grief/loss, depression, anxiety and women's issues (infertility, body image , life transitions).
We all have challenges and experiences throughout our life span that can cause pain, frustration, feeling stuck and other difficult emotions. These experiences can result in us becoming disconnected with our true selves and unable to live life to the fullest. I am here to help you connect with your true self so that you can not only heal from difficult experiences but grow from them and create a sense of empowerment. I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment offering a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual's needs.

Gino Memoli
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, CATC-IV, MA-MFT
Verified
Verified
I believe a key component to the therapeutic relationship is being able to create a safe space for healing to begin. I am passionate in working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life changes, ADHD,
trauma
and substance abuse. I enjoy working with children, college students, adults and the LGBTQ+ community. I work with you to process through life challenges and support you to build skills to create empowerment and growth. As your therapist I provide a relational approach in an authentic space for you to navigate areas of discomfort and hurt, to move towards peace and healing.

Seventh Wave Counseling-Lisa Huet, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work primarily from a cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, strength based and
trauma
focused approach.
Life brings some challenges to all of us and sorting these out can be difficult for the most competent of individuals. My hope is to help you find the clarity you seek so you can enjoy your life to the fullest by creating an accepting environment to support your journey to a better life. I have always been curious about people and what makes us think one way or another. I have had the opportunity to serve people in this area for over 20 years at different agencies and have worked with very diverse folks. I would love the opportunity to help you discover some unexplored part of yourself that can deepen satisfaction in your life.

Paula Defrisco
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I am a San Luis Obispo therapist working extensively with adolescents, college students, adults and couples who struggle with relationship issues or who have experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence in their lives. I have also helped numerous clients struggling with depression or anxiety. I am practical and supportive in my approach. My focus has always been
trauma
work, and I feel great respect and admiration for my clients who have allowed me to be part of their journey to gain feelings of empowerment in their lives. Please click on my website for more information about my practice.

Leonard Manzella
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Anxiety, Depression and Substance Abuse have reached epidemic proportions in today's world. They have become a way of life for many, causing undue anguish and pain, and jeopardizing the well-being of millions as well as the significant relationships in their lives. For over 25 years I have been helping people find a way back to themselves and on a path to living healthier and happier lives. It would be an honor to help you.

Jenilee Sneed
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
As an experienced
trauma
and anxiety therapist, I believe that you can recover and live a life full of joy and meaning.
Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, no matter what you do? You may be fed up with having anxiety or panic attacks, feeling like you’re always getting triggered, or feeling like you are no longer yourself. You might not even remember a time things didn’t feel this way. But one thing is for sure: you’re ready for some relief. You’re ready to find tools to feel calm, stable, and at ease. You’re ready to understand why you feel the way you do. Most of all, you’re ready to reclaim your life.

Anthony Folino
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
*Accepting new clients at this time.* Have you experienced overwhelming emotions as a result of a change that has occurred in your life recently or in the past? Have you experienced physical and/or emotional
trauma
that has impacted your functioning? Have you been struggling with finding satisfaction in your life? Do you have trouble dealing with difficult emotions? Do you have a loved one with a serious mental health condition who you want to better support? Most of us will not go through life without facing varying types of adversity,
trauma
, or other challenges.

Lacey Chamblin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
As a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with nearly a decade of clinical experience, my goal is to provide a safe place where every client can confidentially explore and identify their core beliefs, understand and improve unhealthy thought patterns, and create a skillset to effectively communicate and enhance interpersonal relationships. From depression, anxiety, family conflicts, substance abuse and
trauma
, I will support you on your journey towards self-discovery and healing.

Zoë Hall
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I enjoy supporting individuals with stress management, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, complex/developmental
trauma
, and substance/behavioral addiction. My work and life’s passion are centered around the belief that we all have the capacity to heal ourselves from within when we feel connection, compassion, and support from others. Our bodies contain a unique inner wisdom that helps guide the path back to our true selves. Becoming reacquainted with who we really are on a core level, combined with practicing effective communication strategies with others, allows for greater emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom.

Leslie Ellen Bullock
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, RYT, TCTSY-F
Verified
Verified
I offer therapy for adults 18 years old and over in safe, non-judgmental and empathic relationship. I can help you heal from childhood or more recent
trauma
, and help reduce
trauma
's disturbing, intrusive, relational and long lasting effects. I can also work with you to help manage anxiety, depression, stress, attachment and relationship issues, abandonment fears, or grief and loss. My approach is holistic and mind / body oriented. I combine traditional talk therapy with mindfulness and embodiment based practices. I consider it a privilege to be entrusted with working with people in this vital, vulnerable and healing way.
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.