Photo of Maryann Foster, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 90089, CA
Maryann Foster
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Los Angeles, CA 90089
I favor an eclectic, person-centered approach that focuses on each individual's needs. I will help you build a "toolbox" of skills to help you with everyday stressors. Together we will also look at the "bigger picture"—your hopes and dreams—and prepare to write the next chapter of your life. My training includes psychoanalytic Intersubjective Self Psychology, which I am passionate about as a guiding star for my practice. I am a compassionate therapist with many years of experience who will be committed to increasing your capacity for mindfulness, resiliency, improved relationships, and overall happiness and vitality.
I favor an eclectic, person-centered approach that focuses on each individual's needs. I will help you build a "toolbox" of skills to help you with everyday stressors. Together we will also look at the "bigger picture"—your hopes and dreams—and prepare to write the next chapter of your life. My training includes psychoanalytic Intersubjective Self Psychology, which I am passionate about as a guiding star for my practice. I am a compassionate therapist with many years of experience who will be committed to increasing your capacity for mindfulness, resiliency, improved relationships, and overall happiness and vitality.
(646) 956-3709 View (646) 956-3709
Photo of Janis Alexa Smith, Marriage & Family Therapist in 90089, CA
Janis Alexa Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Congratulations on taking this first step toward becoming a healthier version of yourself and living the best life possible. Life is sometimes tough, and I understand that when trying to cope with anxiety, depression, heartbreak, and/or relationship struggles, this can feel overwhelming. In this season of life, you don’t have to be alone. I can help you with those feelings because I am a therapist who has experience in helping others with what you may be facing right now. There is hope, and you can start your new journey to real and lasting change today.
Congratulations on taking this first step toward becoming a healthier version of yourself and living the best life possible. Life is sometimes tough, and I understand that when trying to cope with anxiety, depression, heartbreak, and/or relationship struggles, this can feel overwhelming. In this season of life, you don’t have to be alone. I can help you with those feelings because I am a therapist who has experience in helping others with what you may be facing right now. There is hope, and you can start your new journey to real and lasting change today.
(323) 205-7088 View (323) 205-7088
Photo of Veronica Davy, Marriage & Family Therapist in 90089, CA
Veronica Davy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Sometimes we encounter problems or life changes that are difficult to face, causing us to feel overwhelmed, unworthy, and isolated. We are often inundated with messages about how we ought to live our lives, dictating the way we are supposed to look, behave, and even feel. Our goals and values can feel out of reach; I aim to bring these forward by offering a supportive, collaborative, and empowering therapeutic environment.
Sometimes we encounter problems or life changes that are difficult to face, causing us to feel overwhelmed, unworthy, and isolated. We are often inundated with messages about how we ought to live our lives, dictating the way we are supposed to look, behave, and even feel. Our goals and values can feel out of reach; I aim to bring these forward by offering a supportive, collaborative, and empowering therapeutic environment.
(213) 652-6708 View (213) 652-6708
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.