Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Ventura, CA

Whether this is your first time starting therapy or your hundredth visit, it can be a tiresome task to find a new therapist. Our mental health needs are not the same and your therapist should not be either. If you have found it challenging to remain present, I hope to help you process and resolve any traumatic or challenging life experiences that are making everyday living difficult. I hope to guide you in building a sense of safety within yourself again and finding closure within the areas you need.

The last year has been hard on almost all of us. Has trauma , loss or grief made it difficult to live the life you really want? How do you imagine your life changing or being more satisfying? My approach is respectful, encouraging and focused on growth. I'm trained in what are called "power therapies." EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and BSP (Brainspotting) have the potential to heal deeply, from within the brain and body, and create understanding and relief.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to join you on your journey towards healing. I am a New York City native currently licensed in California and licensed to provided telehealth therapy in the state for the state of Florida. I am a Board of Behavioral Sciences Approved Clinical Supervisor, an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapist approved Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Fellow. I have over 14 years of clinical experience as an outpatient therapist with Department of Mental Health contracted agencies, nonprofit organizations and owner of private practice, The Healing Chariot (No Insurance/No Sliding Scale Fee).

As a trauma focused and EMDR provider I understand the impact that trauma has on one’s lived experience. It is essential to have a safe, nonjudgmental place to work through painful experiences. I use an integrative eclectic approach to provide safety, manage emotions, address unhelpful beliefs and to work to heal and release you from the painful past of your trauma . Together we formulate your desired treatment goals to empower you to see changes in your daily life. I specialize in a range of therapies and broad view of theories such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, Polyvagal theory, attachment theory, mindfulness, trauma informed yoga, mind body.

Accepting New Clients / Aceptando Nuevos Clientes! Your stories, pain and feelings are valid. Not everyone is going to understand the trauma you have experienced or the symptoms that accompany it, that's okay, it doesn't make it any less real. Methods of surviving trauma /abuse become symptoms; anxiety, depression, dissociation, somatic symptoms and hypervigilance, and can become distressing when no longer utilized for survival. They can also manifest as people pleasing, unhealthy relationships, difficulty trusting others, setting boundaries, shame and avoidance. I am here to hold space for you and your healing.

Some of the main challenges I assist clients in overcoming include: feelings of hopelessness, fears about the future, feelings of distraction from past traumas, anger or shame over behaviors or addictions, challenges of being “stuck” and difficulties managing overwhelming emotions. I have the most experience treating adults with addiction, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, trauma , shame, grief, to name a few.

Did growing up in a wounding family cause trauma that is still affecting you? Did you experience trauma at the hands of another that left you with feelings of being unsafe, insecure and unlovable? Guilt and shame? Imagine waking up peaceful and optimistic about your Life and future. Imagine having relationships that are loving and full of grace and building a family that is one that you would have loved to grow up in. If you can see it you can be it…lets work through old trauma so that you can see and be the “you” that you have always wanted to be! Helping people work through trauma is what I love to do!

We all go through emotional storms where we feel emotionally and physically stuck; we worry too much and lose control of ourselves. Do you find yourself thrown off balance by your childhood trauma ? Childhood traumatic experiences such as abandonment, abuse, and neglect lead to social anxiety. My approach is solution-focused and tailored to your needs and goals. I am committed to providing a profound sense of safety and offering compassionate and actionable guidance to all my clients.

It’s been awhile since you can remember feeling genuine happiness or feel a sense of direction in your life. As far as other people know, things are going well and you have things figured out. But in reality, you feel isolated and alone because the things that keep you up at night are or from other people are difficult to express. Or the people around you are not equipped to understand what you’re going through. It may be an overwhelming fear of failure, managing parenting challenges, or managing expectations from your parents, or work.

With life and relationships comes vulnerability, and too often, pain and feelings of betrayal. These experiences can become defining factors in our relationships with ourselves and others moving forward, when not processed in a caring, self-compassionate way. Experiences of hurt, or even trauma , can leave us feeling small, lonely, and often with feelings of secrecy or shame. I work collaboratively with each client to help them unlock old patterns or experiences of pain to find more awareness about what is holding them back in their lives, and to move forward fully.

My approach is accepting, caring, confidential and non-judgmental, as well as practical and grounded. I help people to get clarity about their problems, and to connect with their own inner wisdom, creativity, self awareness, and healing. This allows for a natural emergence of positive choices, good solutions, and actions that are in alignment with their true selves and deepest desires. I work with individuals, couples, teens and families on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and developing more trust and acceptance, which helps to improve closeness and positive feelings in relationships.

I believe therapy can provide a safe space for creating a more fulfilled life. There are times where we may experience traumas, feel stuck and emotionally disconnected, and have difficulty coping. My approach to therapy includes a humanistic centered style, where we establish a collaborative and trusting relationship to allow for vulnerability and personal growth to occur. I am committed to providing compassionate and empathetic care to support you in your journey towards self-discovery, where we can explore and identify your strengths, build confidence, and self- esteem.

Drawing on client-centered and trauma -informed practices, Kara fosters a corrective emotional experience and collaboration with clients in order to facilitate a safe and warm environment. Her experience as a couples therapist enhances her ability to build upon each partnership’s unique strengths and interests in order to foster growth and repair.