EMDR Therapists in Torrance, CA

Your inner self-critic takes up too much space in your head and you’re struggling with flipping the script. People keep saying you need to "get over it" and that you’re “too sensitive,” as if it’s a bad thing. You’re accused of either being too much or not enough – and sometimes you’re both at the same time! There's a part of you that knows there's more for you out there, but there always seems to be something holding you back. Trying to figure this out on your own has you running in circles. You’re ready to release these limitations and claim your freedom… but you don’t know where to begin.

My focus is to help you become the best version of yourself to benefit not only you but, also, your loved ones because stressors definitely find a way of impacting your role as a partner, parent, child, friend, or employer. Ultimately, your stressors/experiences (e.g., trauma, relationships with parents/partners, work stress, parenting, new life transition, etc.) come together and influence your mood, health, and relationships, which is why I strive to help you learn healthy ways to process and cope. My goal is for you to walk away from every session feeling like you learned something that will benefit you.

Whether you are seeking support to manage stress, anxiety, trauma or relationship discord, I offer a safe place to process emotions and work towards change. My practice includes short and long-term treatment options for individuals & couples, incorporating various modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), insight oriented therapy, EMDR , mindfulness, and yoga therapy.

THERAPY WORKS. IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Will it work for you? It depends. Y'ever wonder why you're not where you want to be in your life - why things aren't turning out as planned? Image that changing. I have opinions and theories, and I'm willing to share them with you fairly early on. I'm not just going to watch you make the same mistakes over and over again without saying something to you. I won't make your decisions for you, but I will help you examine consequences and encourage you to make better choices.

My name is Pat Pearson, RN, LMFT. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Pagosa Springs, CO, and working with clients in CA statewide via telehealth. I work with children, teens, and adults. I specialize in trauma, stress, and grief, using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing ( EMDR ), Brainspotting, Client-Centered Therapy, and Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My approach to therapy varies on the needs of each client I work with.

Are you experiencing stress due to divorce or separation? Do you have a drinking or drug problem? Or, are you just having relationship or communication problems? Maybe someone has cheated? Call me. 310-373-7994. I would like to help you. Let's see if we can work together to design the life you desire. I have specialities in EMDR for trauma, and am Brainspotting certified. I am client focused. Remember, the experiences we have in childhood impact who we become as adults today.

Do you find yourself shut down or suppress your feelings? Do you struggle in relationships due to your trauma? Are you unsure of where you belong? I work with people of all identities to process unresolved feelings due to trauma. I strive to provide you a safe and non-judgmental space, in order for you to develop coping mechanisms for trauma symptoms (anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.) and to explore aspects of yourself. I can help you let go of past HURTS and develop tools to find RELIEF.

I believe in working together as a team and focusing on the areas of your life that are inhibiting your full potential. My therapeutic approach is rooted in compassion and understanding you as a whole person. I am especially passionate about trauma recovery. I work with clients to help them challenge debilitating fears and negative self-beliefs that can result from painful past experiences such as neglect, bullying, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual traumas. I take special care in helping my clients gain self-compassion and reconnect with their sense of self and inner resilience.

You are taking the first steps in creating change in your life. The pursuit of health, happiness, and healing are aspects that we all strive for, and that can be accelerated with additional support and insight oriented therapy. In addition to traditional approaches, such as psychodynamic approaches and cognitive behavioral interventions, I utilize mindfulness techniques, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR . I have experience in treating a variety of condition, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Therapy can assist with stress and change of life issues, such as divorce, new parents, health issues, bereavement, or work/peer conflict.

I believe that every person is unique and has their own story. I feel honored that I have been selected to share their story and to be a part of their healing journey. With compassion, kindness, non-judgment, and support, I help my clients make sense of their major life events so they take the next steps in their lives. It is a great privilege to see my clients gain insight into their lives, manage their difficulties more effectively, make positive changes, increase awareness, and improve themselves. I look forward to meeting you and participating in your healing experience.

Trauma, anxiety, and addiction can make you feel stuck. The most important step towards healing is to address the unresolved emotion inside you. Healing requires feelings. Acceptance slowly dissolves pain. When we function from the fear and scarring of our trauma, the cycles continue until we learn how to transmute that energy into love. I apply a Holistic approach that integrates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual forms of well-being, addressing the “whole” self. Through a holistic framework tailored to your unique needs, the goal is to support you develop a deeper understanding of the self on all these levels.

Traumas from your past holding you back? I can help you overcome them with the gold standard for trauma treatment: EMDR . Dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship challenges or grief? I provide a caring, supportive atmosphere with which to help you face your issues and move forward. I am a Christian therapist who uses psychological tools and Biblical principles to help people improve their lives. I also have experience treating combat veterans with PTSD. I look forward to helping you make significant changes that will benefit your life. Call today for a free phone consultation.

Melanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and has over 8 years of experience at Journeys working with clients of all ages and various issues. She has experience with clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, phobias, marital issues, etc. She is trained in EMDR . She also has over 16 years of experience working with teens in a youth ministry setting. Previously, Melanie gained experience in the Television and Music industries. In her free time, she enjoys wilderness backpacking & music.

Stressed, unhappy, unfocused, unmotivated? A distant, angry relationship that was loving, romantic, or safe? Wish to improve your ability to focus, relax, not worry? Considering changes in your career, relationship? Confused by your marriage, by being new parents or by your child or teenager? Want to stop smoking with hypnosis? Wish you could like yourself, feel attractive, smart, energetic & successful? Feel stuck, blocked, uncertain, discouraged? Afraid of public speaking or socializing at work? Suffer awful abuse? Have you and your partner been fighting? Need to learn to solve problems in your team?

I believe in providing a supportive and empowering environment in which my clients can feel heard, safe, and confident that their needs are being met. The best therapists combine competent techniques with genuine empathy and connection to help you achieve the goals and outcome you desire. I work primarily with individuals or couples struggling with traumatic backgrounds, anxiety or depression, addiction, relationship problems, and personality disorders. I strive to ensure that the interaction I have with my clients is always honest, sincere, and compassionate yet effective.

I bring simple communication skills to the table for couples or families stuck in angry stances. I help each person feel heard, listened to and understood, helping them learn how to come alongside each other with empathy and insight instead of competing and blaming. Taking responsibility and learning when they are projecting their own feelings onto others instead of owning their own emotions. I also work with individual adults and children to help them deal with the trauma and drama of their past before they can effectively maintain healthy relationships in the present.

I am accepting new clients! I am passionate about helping adults overcome anxiety, depression, and interpersonal difficulties. My goal is to help you feel more confident and support you as you practice new tools to improve your coping and communication skills.

What would your life and relationships look like if you were functioning as the healed version of yourself? Our relationships can only be as healthy as we are! Gain control over difficult emotions, move beyond the pain of the past, and learn to navigate around life’s distractions and demands so that you can show up with others as your best, most healthy version of yourself. Explore healthy conflict styles and deepen your connections in the relationships that matter to you the most.