Single-incident trauma
Processing the lasting impact of an accident, assault, loss, or other distressing event.
TRAUMA THERAPY IN WEST LOS ANGELES
You don't have to relive it to heal it.
In-person trauma therapy for adults in West LA, and online across California.
We help your nervous system feel safe enough to heal, without walking back through every painful detail to get there.
You might be...
- Feeling on edge or easily startled, even when nothing is wrong
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that bring back hard memories
- Replaying difficult moments or feeling stuck in the past
- Numbing out, dissociating, or feeling disconnected from your body
- Struggling to trust others or feel safe in close relationships
- Carrying shame or self-blame about what happened
SOMETIMES THE HARDEST PART IS FEELING LIKE YOUR BODY NEVER GOT THE MESSAGE THAT IT'S OVER.
Trauma therapy isn't about reliving what happened. It's about helping your nervous system finally feel safe, so the past stops running the present.
Forms of trauma we help with.
Childhood and developmental trauma
Understanding how early experiences shaped your sense of safety, self-worth, and relationships.
Hypervigilance and a dysregulated nervous system
Calming a body that stays braced for danger long after the threat has passed.
Dissociation and disconnection
Reconnecting with your body and the present moment when numbing or checking out has become automatic.
Complex and relational trauma
Working through patterns shaped by repeated harm, neglect, or unsafe relationships over time.
Shame and self-blame
Untangling the belief that what happened was somehow your fault.
The process
How we help.
Trauma work has an order. We build safety first, then process at a pace that never overwhelms you.
01
Establish safety
We start by helping your body and nervous system feel safe enough to do this work at a pace that feels manageable.
02
Process what happened
Using approaches like EMDR, we help you process difficult memories without becoming overwhelmed by them.
03
Regulate the nervous system
We build tools to calm hypervigilance, reduce reactivity, and help your body learn that it's safe again.
04
Reclaim your life
We help you move from surviving to feeling grounded, present, and connected to the life in front of you.
The modalities we use
EMDR
Attachment-Based
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Your TRAUMA therapist
Amanda Burback, LMFT
LMFT #108598 · Trauma-informed care · Certified EMDR therapist, Parnell Institute
Questions about trauma therapy.
Is trauma the same thing as PTSD?
Not exactly. Trauma refers to the emotional response to a distressing experience, while PTSD is a specific diagnosis that can develop when trauma symptoms persist and disrupt daily life. Many people carry the effects of trauma without meeting criteria for PTSD.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing the emotional charge they carry without requiring you to relive every detail in words.
Do I need to talk about what happened in detail?
No. Many trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR and somatic work, don't require you to narrate every detail. We move at a pace that feels safe for you.
Can trauma show up in the body?
Yes. Trauma often shows up physically through fatigue, tension, headaches, or a nervous system that stays on high alert. Healing usually involves the body, not just the mind.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It depends on the person and the experience. Some people notice relief in a handful of sessions, while more complex or long-standing trauma may take longer. We'll build a plan around your pace and goals.
Do you offer in-person and online trauma therapy?
Yes. We offer in-person sessions in West LA and virtual therapy for clients throughout California.