San Diego Trauma Therapy: Healing through EMDR and IFS

You’ve tried everything to move on. You’ve read the books, pushed yourself forward, and built a good life. Yet, a part of you remains stuck, reacting to present situations as if you were back in a painful past event.

For many people in San Diego, the trauma they carry manifests not as a single dramatic memory, but as:

  • Intrusive Anxiety: A constant state of low-level dread or panic attacks that appear without warning.

  • Relationship Patterns: Repeating cycles of disconnection, seeking approval, or pushing people away.

  • Physical Symptoms: Chronic tension, unexplained fatigue, or digestive issues (signs of a dysregulated nervous system).

  • The Harsh Inner Critic: A voice of shame that keeps you feeling "not good enough."

As a leading trauma therapist serving San Diego, I offer a path to resolution that goes beyond talk therapy. We utilize proven, neurobiological techniques like EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Therapy to process the painful memories and reorganize your emotional wiring..

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Why Trauma Requires Specialized Therapy (The Neurobiological Approach) of trauma

Trauma is not just a memory; it is a physiological event recorded in your nervous system. When a painful event occurs, your brain fails to process and file the experience correctly. The memory remains "frozen," meaning the sights, sounds, emotions, and physical sensations of the past are constantly triggered in the present.

This is why traditional advice like "just think positively" or "just move on" never works. You need a specialized approach that can access and reprocess those stuck neural networks.

Contact Allie to start trauma therapy

EMDR is one of the most thoroughly researched and effective treatments for trauma. It is not hypnosis; it is a powerful, focused technique that mimics the natural brain state during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep.

How EMDR Works in Our Sessions:

  1. Identification: We identify the specific target memory causing distress.

  2. Bilateral Stimulation: I guide you through bilateral stimulation (like following my hand or using handheld buzzers).

  3. Reprocessing: This stimulation helps your brain's natural processing system "unstick" the memory. The intensity fades, and the memory transforms from a present-day threat into a past event that no longer holds emotional power.

  4. The Outcome: You walk away from the memory knowing what happened, but no longer feeling the fear, shame, or panic associated with it.

Your expert San Diego trauma therapist

Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Somatic Therapy

While EMDR is excellent for specific trauma events, trauma also fragments the self. We integrate IFS and Somatic practices to ensure holistic, lasting healing for clients across San Diego.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS): This approach helps heal the shame and self-blame that often accompanies trauma by accessing your inner wisdom (Self).

  • Somatic Experiencing: We address the physical component of trauma (the "stuck energy") through mindful attention to body sensations, leading to nervous system regulation and deep rest.

  • Attachment-Focused Therapy: This heals the deep-seated relational wounds that often stem from trauma, leading to more secure, authentic relationships in your life.

Choosing the right trauma therapist is the most crucial step in your healing journey. My practice is built on a foundation of clinical excellence, specialized training, and deep compassion.

My Commitment to Your Healing:

  • Certified Expertise: Extensive training in advanced EMDR techniques, Somatic Therapy, and IFS.

  • Safety First: I create a safe, consistent space where you are never rushed or pressured to share more than you are ready for.

  • Lasting Resolution: Our goal is not just symptom management but fundamental, lasting resolution so you can live fully in the present.

I provide expert virtual trauma therapy across the entire state of California, serving communities throughout San Diego, including La Jolla, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and downtown.

It is time to stop surviving and start thriving. Reach out today for a consultation to begin your journey toward healing and peace.