Psychological trauma can affect your life for many years after the event or situation that caused it. Trauma doesn’t easily resolve itself. Furthermore, it’s especially challenging to attempt it on your own.

If you are seeking trauma therapy services in Los Angeles, CA, Westwind Recovery®® offers both in-person and online therapy options, making support accessible for local residents and those who prefer remote care. Our trauma therapy program helps you learn about the emotions your traumatic memories caused, where they originate, and how to react in a healthier manner. Finding help allows you to restore happiness, well-being, and stability to your life.

No matter what form your trauma takes, our team at Westwind Recovery®® in Los Angeles is here to help you work through it. We understand the challenges you’re facing and will help you develop the tools you need to heal.

Introduction to Trauma Recovery in Los Angeles, CA

Private session for trauma therapy and emotional healing

Trauma recovery is a deeply personal journey that requires compassion, understanding, and a safe space to heal. At Westwind Recovery®, located in Los Angeles, we believe that trauma-informed therapy is essential for clients experiencing trauma, as it creates an environment where individuals can process their experiences without fear of judgment. Our trauma counseling center in Los Angeles is dedicated to supporting clients as they work through the impact of traumatic events and move toward greater well-being.

Our trauma-focused therapists have extensive training and are committed to building a strong therapeutic relationship with each client, fostering trust and empowerment throughout the healing process. At Westwind Recovery®, we offer personalized care and trauma counseling that respects each individual’s unique path to recovery, enabling clients to heal and reclaim their sense of self.

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy programs are a form of mental health treatment. During trauma treatment, therapists assist clients in overcoming psychological and past trauma. Trauma occurs when you perceive a threat to your life, bodily integrity, or sanity, overwhelming your ability to cope.

To regain your footing, you need professional trauma treatment. Trauma-informed care is essential in supporting clients through their healing journey, especially when symptoms interfere with daily functioning or co-occur with issues like substance use disorder and mental illness.

In any trauma therapy program, you begin the healing process by discovering what is causing your pain. Trauma-informed care is essential in guiding the client’s process, helping individuals address trauma and related mental health issues. Since past trauma can threaten the life you live now, it’s vital to get to the heart of what is causing your pain. Trauma treatment programs are designed to do just that: locate the root cause.

What Are Some Common Examples of Trauma?

Anyone can experience a traumatic event. Some common examples of these events or experiences include:

  • Loved ones suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, or mental health issues
  • Car accidents
  • Losing a loved one
  • Chronic illness or surgery
  • Sexual assault or rape
  • Domestic violence
  • War or combat trauma
  • Childhood abuse or neglect that was never resolved
  • Natural disasters, such as a tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, or fires
  • A terrorist attack

Marginalized communities often experience unique traumas. For example, people of color may suffer from trauma due to police violence or microaggressions. The LGBTQ community can suffer from trauma due to conversion therapy or discrimination. This is often passed down through generations, requiring comprehensive trauma treatment.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Trauma?

Trauma can have a profound effect on your life. It can cause physical and emotional problems that may last for years. These include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Substance abuse
  • Relationship problems
  • Job loss
  • Eating disorders
  • Financial problems

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s essential to seek help. Trauma treatment and compassionate care, such as trauma counseling, can help you heal. Trauma counseling is a type of therapy that focuses on your experience of trauma and its effects on your life. It can help you make sense of what happened and develop skills to cope with trauma in the future.

Los Angeles, CA Trauma Therapy Types

A man sits with his hands pressed to his face, having a session with trauma therapists Los Angeles support

Los Angeles offers many resources for trauma survivors. To find a trauma therapist in Los Angeles, contact Westwind Recovery®® today. Our staff understands the uniqueness of your experience and will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Therapy can help you identify and overcome unhelpful patterns that may be holding you back from healing from a traumatic event. At Westwind Recovery®® in Los Angeles, we have the knowledge and compassion to work with you to reveal, explore, and recover.

Some of the common evidence-based therapy modalities we offer for trauma recovery include:

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique designed to help individuals heal from the emotional distress and symptoms that are the result of disturbing life experiences. During EMDR therapy, a patient recalls a disturbing memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping, which helps to activate the brain’s information processing system.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy encompasses the traditional modalities of individual therapy, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

CBT, sometimes referred to as cognitive processing therapy, is a trauma therapy that focuses on helping you understand how your thoughts and beliefs are affecting your emotions and behavior. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on helping you develop healthy coping and emotional regulation skills to manage intense emotions effectively. Each of these modalities can help you discover links between your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions as you heal from a traumatic event.

Experiential Therapies

Experiential therapies, encompassing modalities such as somatic therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and meditation, offer powerful, non-traditional avenues for healing, particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to articulate their experiences verbally. Art therapy, for instance, provides a visual language for feelings that words cannot capture, while music therapy can facilitate emotional release and regulation. PTSD therapists use these approaches to engage clients in creative or mindful activities, allowing them to express emotions, process traumatic memories, and explore inner conflicts in a safe and supportive space.

What Happens in Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles?

During trauma therapy, you will work with a therapist to process your trauma. You will talk about your experience in a safe and supportive environment. This can help you make sense of what happened and start to heal the emotional wounds of complex trauma. Your therapy appointment is a collaboration between you and your counselor; this allows you space to explore your traumatic experience in a safe space catered to you.

Trauma therapists can help you learn new coping skills. You will also work on improving your self-esteem and developing a support system. Trauma therapy also supports self-awareness, empowering you to make intentional choices and build a fulfilling life within a safe and supportive environment. This can help you build a foundation for healing.

Trauma therapy is not easy. It can be difficult to relive traumatic experiences, but it is often necessary to begin the healing process. With the help of trauma therapists, you can begin to heal the emotional damage caused by trauma.

An infographic titled How to Heal from Emotional Trauma—relevant to PTSD treatment in Los Angeles.

FAQ for Complex Trauma Therapy

If you or a loved one has experienced trauma, review the FAQ below to explore trauma treatment.

How Does Trauma Lead To Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is a common way people try to cope with trauma. Alcohol and drugs can seem like an easy way to numb the pain and forget what happened. But using alcohol or drugs will only make your problems worse in the long run. Trauma therapy can help you learn other ways to cope with trauma.

Self-medication is a common way people try to cope with trauma. Trauma treatment can help you deal with the aftermath. It can help you make sense of what happened and develop skills to cope with trauma in the future. Trauma therapists provide counseling designed to address the specific needs of survivors.

What Are the Responsibilities of the Therapist in Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles?

The trauma therapist’s responsibilities include providing a safe and supportive space, helping the client make sense of the trauma, and teaching new coping skills. The therapist will also help the client improve their self-esteem and develop a support system. Therapists also have a responsibility to have a holistic approach that recognizes you as a whole person, not just the symptoms you experience. In trauma-focused therapy, professionals can encourage self-discovery to ensure you not only recover from your trauma but also learn from it.

What Are the Benefits of Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy can help you heal the emotional damage caused by trauma. It can also help you learn new coping skills, improve your self-esteem, and develop a support system. Because therapy typically involves an integrative approach that combines multiple evidence-based modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, with experimental treatments like somatic experiencing, it can empower individuals to explore individualized treatment options.

What Are Some of the Challenges of Trauma Therapy?

Some of the challenges of trauma therapy include reliving the trauma, dealing with difficult emotions, and finding a therapist you trust. If you are considering trauma therapy, it is important to find a therapist you trust in order to get the most out of therapy. Trust is essential in trauma therapy because the therapist will be helping you explore difficult memories and emotions.

If you are seeking trauma therapy in Los Angeles, numerous resources are available.

There are many private therapists who specialize in trauma therapy. If you are considering trauma therapy, it is important to find a therapist who is a good fit for you. When selecting a therapist, it is essential to consider their experience, training, and therapeutic approach.

As a trauma counseling center with expert staff who understand complex trauma, Westwind Recovery® is proud to offer top-tier trauma therapy in Los Angeles.

Westwind Recovery®® Offers Trauma Therapy In Los Angeles

Many people are oblivious to the fact that they are suffering from trauma. Yet, they are acutely aware of their unhappiness, poor mental health, or substance abuse. You can’t treat what you don’t understand. By allowing you to recognize your trauma and teaching new coping skills, it becomes easier and safer to regain control of your life. You can enjoy life again once the weight of trauma has been lifted.

Our Treatment Programs

Westwind Recovery®®’s trauma therapy programs in Los Angeles can help you heal. Our primary programs for complex trauma include:

If you or a loved one is seeking trauma therapy in Los Angeles, CA, contact Westwind Recovery®® for more information about the trauma therapy program.