Trauma leaves lasting marks—but healing is possible. At Mellow Therapy in Culver City, we offer in-person trauma therapy designed to help you process what you’ve been through, reconnect with yourself, and move forward with clarity and strength.
Trauma Therapy in Culver City
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy
Trauma Symptoms
Common symptoms of trauma can include:
- Intrusive thoughts or memories of the event
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Avoidance behaviors
- Feelings of shame or guilt
- Hypervigilance
Trauma can also lead to physical symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal issues
Trauma Therapy Treatment
At Mellow, we offer evidence-based psychotherapy modalities to help clients overcome the effects of trauma. Our experienced therapists use a range of approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to help clients process traumatic memories and develop effective coping strategies.
CBT is a widely-used approach that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs related to the traumatic event. This can help clients manage their symptoms by developing positive and adaptive coping skills.
EMDR therapy, on the other hand, is a specialized approach that uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help clients process traumatic memories and associated emotions.
Trauma therapy can help treat:
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Complex Trauma
Trauma FAQ’s
Are trauma and PTSD the same thing?
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are related concepts, but they are not exactly the same.
Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological response to distressing events, such as accidents, violence, or natural disasters. It can impact individuals differently, influencing their mental and emotional well-being.
On the other hand, PTSD is a specific mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It involves persistent and intrusive symptoms such as:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Severe anxiety, which significantly interferes with daily life
While trauma is a broad term encompassing the emotional aftermath of distressing events, PTSD is a diagnosable mental health condition characterized by specific symptoms.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR is a cutting-edge and highly effective therapeutic modality for treating Trauma and PTSD. During sessions, clients are guided to recall distressing memories while the therapist facilitates bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements. This process helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and the associated distress.
How is EMDR performed?
- History Taking and Treatment Planning
- The therapist gathers information about the client’s history and develops a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and trauma experiences.
- Preparation
- Clients learn stress-reduction techniques to manage emotional distress during EMDR sessions.
- Assessment
- Target traumatic memories are identified, and the associated negative beliefs and emotions are pinpointed for reprocessing.
- Desensitization
- Clients focus on traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This process helps reduce the emotional intensity of the memories.
- Installation
- Positive beliefs are reinforced, replacing negative beliefs associated with the traumatic memories.
- Body Scan
- Any residual physical tension or discomfort is addressed through further desensitization.
- Closure
- Each session concludes with relaxation exercises, ensuring patients feel grounded before leaving.
- Reevaluation
- The therapist reassesses progress and identifies any remaining areas of concern to be targeted in future sessions.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
- Efficient Resolution: EMDR often leads to quicker resolution of trauma compared to traditional therapy.
- Reduced Emotional Intensity: Clients experience a reduction in the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories.
- Improved Coping Mechanisms: EMDR helps individuals develop healthier ways of coping with distressing memories.
