Trauma therapy helps you find your way back
Healing from trauma doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means what happened no longer controls how you live.
Trauma isn’t just a bad experience you should be over by now. It’s a profound shock to your nervous system that can linger long after the event has passed — showing up as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or a persistent sense that you’re never quite safe. Trauma therapy is designed to address what’s actually happening beneath the surface, not just help you manage the symptoms.
At Light Within Counseling, we specialize in trauma therapy that goes deeper than talking about what happened. Using evidence-based, body-informed approaches, we help you process what your nervous system has been holding — so you can stop surviving and start actually living.
Trauma takes many forms… and all of it is valid.
If you’re not sure whether what you experienced “counts” as trauma — it counts. If it changed how you feel, think, or move through the world, it’s worth addressing.
PSTD
A single overwhelming event — an accident, assault, medical emergency, or sudden loss — that your nervous system hasn’t been able to fully process.
Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
Prolonged, repeated exposure to distressing experiences — often in relationships or environments where you had little control or escape.
Accidental/Sudden Trauma
An unexpected event — a car accident, medical emergency, or sudden loss — that your nervous system never got the chance to fully process.
Intergenerational Trauma
Trauma passed down through families — patterns, beliefs, and nervous system responses shaped by what previous generations experienced and never healed.
Relational & Emotional Trauma
Betrayal, emotional abuse, coercive control, or attachment wounds that shaped how you see yourself and trust others.
Attachment Trauma
Wounds formed early in relationships with caregivers — shaping how safe you feel with others, how you love, and how you see yourself.
Childhood Trauma
Neglect, emotional or physical abuse, instability, or growing up in an environment where you never felt truly safe.
Perinatal Trauma
Birth trauma, pregnancy loss, NICU experiences, or the emotional weight of early parenthood when things didn’t go as expected.
Sexual Trauma/Childhood Sexual Abuse
Experiences of sexual violation at any age — carried silently for years and deserving of specialized, compassionate care.
Domestic Violence/IPV
The lasting impact of abuse within intimate relationships — emotional, physical, or psychological — and the complex process of healing after.
Grief and Loss
The traumatic impact of losing someone — suddenly, slowly, or in a way that left things unresolved.
Medical Trauma
Frightening or dehumanizing experiences with illness, surgery, or the healthcare system that left a lasting imprint.
Secondary & Vicarious Trauma
Trauma absorbed through caring for others — common in first responders, healthcare workers, therapists, and caregivers.
Physical and Emotional Signs of Trauma
In your body:
- Chronic tension, pain, or fatigue with no clear medical cause
- Feeling jumpy, on edge, or easily startled
- Numbness, disconnection, or feeling like you’re watching your life from outside yourself
- Sleep disruption, nightmares, or waking up already exhausted
- Physical symptoms that flare under stress — headaches, stomach problems, chronic pain
In your mind and life:
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or memories that catch you off guard
- Difficulty trusting others or letting people get close
- Emotional swings that feel disproportionate or hard to explain
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations that feel unsafe
- A persistent sense of shame, worthlessness, or feeling fundamentally broken
Trauma therapy helps you move forward by…
- Processing and understanding traumatic experiences
- Developing coping skills and techniques to manage distress
- Improving emotional regulation and self-acceptance
- Enhancing resilience and post-traumatic growth
- Reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and insomnia
- Improving relationships and social connections
- Increasing sense of safety and well-being
- Empowering individuals to take control of their healing journey
Engaging in trauma therapy can be a transformative experience, helping you to rebuild your life and move forward with greater confidence and peace.
We Use Evidence-Based Approaches to Trauma That Go Beyond Talk Therapy
Trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, not just in your thoughts. Our treatment approaches reflect that. Here’s how we work with trauma:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
A structured, evidence-based therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain safely reprocess traumatic memories — so they lose their emotional charge without requiring you to relive every detail.
CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)
Helps you identify and challenge distorted beliefs formed in response to trauma — like self-blame, guilt, or the sense that the world is fundamentally unsafe.
TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Particularly effective for children and adolescents, TF-CBT combines cognitive techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms and build resilience.
A powerful, body-based approach that accesses trauma stored deep in the nervous system through specific eye positions. Often reaches what talk therapy alone cannot.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
A structured approach that gradually and safely helps you face trauma-related memories and situations, reducing their power over time.
Trauma-Informed Care
We draw from multiple modalities to create a treatment plan that fits your specific history, nervous system, and goals — never one-size-fits-all.
70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
Trauma is not a sign of weakness. It’s a human response to experiences that were too much, too fast, or too soon. And with the right support, healing is absolutely possible.
All ages welcome! We support children, teens, young adults, and adults through trauma.
Trauma Support for Children
Trauma Support for Teens
Trauma Support for Young Adults
Trauma Support for Adults
It’s never too late to heal. Whether you’ve been carrying trauma for decades or are in the aftermath of something recent, trauma therapy can help you reclaim your sense of safety, connection, and self.
We don’t go to therapy to change the past, but to make sure the past stops changing our future.
The Light Within Difference
We take an holistic, integrative approach to address your mental health at the root level.
Because we don't follow the 'cookie-cutter' insurance models, we have the freedom to use more effective, holistic tools that actually get to the root cause faster. We combine this with evidence-based modalities - CBT, ERP, EMDR, Brainspotting, ACT, trauma-informed care - but it's always paced to you, collaborative, and safe.
The highest quality of personalized care without outside interference.
Collaborative sessions that look at your life, body, and mind as a whole.
Meet us where you feel safest - In person or virtually.
Real, sustainable change - Not quick fixes and coping mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy
Have other questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us – We’re here to help you! Email us here.
What is trauma therapy and how is it different from regular therapy?
Trauma therapy uses specialized, evidence-based approaches designed specifically for how trauma is stored in the brain and body. Unlike general talk therapy, it doesn’t just explore your feelings — it actively helps your nervous system process and release what it’s been holding.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened in detail?
No. Many of our most effective approaches — including EMDR and Brainspotting — don’t require you to narrate your trauma in detail. Healing can happen without reliving everything, and we always move at your pace.
What if I'm not sure my experience "counts" as trauma?
If an experience disrupted your sense of safety, changed how you see yourself or others, or left a lasting imprint on how you feel and function — it counts. You don’t need a dramatic story to deserve trauma therapy.
What is PTSD and how do I know if I have it?
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a trauma response characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened reactivity. A formal diagnosis requires evaluation by a clinician — and many people experience significant trauma symptoms without meeting full PTSD criteria. Either way, treatment can help.
What's the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting?
Both are powerful, body-based trauma therapies that work with the nervous system rather than relying on verbal processing alone. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through guided eye movements or tapping. Brainspotting uses specific eye positions to locate and process trauma held in the body. Your therapist will help determine which approach — or combination — is right for you.
Can children receive trauma therapy?
Yes. We work with children using age-appropriate, trauma-informed approaches like TF-CBT. Early intervention is especially important — processing trauma in childhood can prevent it from shaping a child’s developing sense of self.
What if my trauma is connected to my anxiety or OCD?
How long does trauma therapy take?
This varies significantly depending on the type of trauma, how long it’s been present, and your individual nervous system. Some clients experience meaningful shifts within a few months; others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll discuss realistic expectations together from the start.
Is virtual trauma therapy effective?
Yes. EMDR, Brainspotting, and other trauma therapies can be delivered effectively via telehealth. We offer virtual trauma therapy to clients throughout California.
Do you work with trauma related to relationships, not just single events?
Absolutely. Relational trauma, emotional abuse, attachment wounds, and complex trauma from ongoing difficult experiences are a significant part of our work. You don’t need a single identifiable “incident” for trauma therapy to be relevant.
How do I prepare for my first session?
Come as you are. Think about what you’d like to achieve and any questions you have. Bring information about previous treatment or medications if applicable.
Ready to Heal?
Imagine feeling truly yourself again - Grounded, connected, and at peace.
We work alongside you to help you understand what’s keeping you stuck and create meaningful, lasting change. Whether you’re navigating OCD, anxiety, trauma, grief or another life challenge, we provide thoughtful, evidence-based care to support real healing and growth.
At Light Within Counseling, our team has advanced training in treating trauma for children, teens, and adults using proven approaches like EMDR, Brainspotting, and play therapy for younger clients. We know that trauma can affect every part of your life, and we’re committed to helping you get to the root of what you’re carrying so you can experience deep, lasting healing. Whether you join us in person at our Roseville, CA office or through telehealth across California, we’ll meet you with compassion and create a personalized plan to help you move forward.