Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy in Irvine and Across California

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma treatment that helps people reprocess overwhelming memories through bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements, tapping, or sound. EMDR supports the brain in resolving unprocessed trauma so that distressing experiences no longer feel as emotionally charged or disruptive.

This therapy is especially helpful for those who have experienced:

• Sexual abuse or assault
   
• Car accidents or medical trauma
   
• Emotional or physical abuse
   
• Military trauma or first responder stress
   
• Identity-based violence or discrimination (including racism, transphobia, homophobia, and other forms of systemic harm)
   
• Childhood neglect or attachment trauma
   

This is not an exhaustive list. Many types of trauma may respond well to EMDR, and not everyone who has experienced these situations will find EMDR to be the right fit. Meeting with a trained clinician to determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your unique experience is a crucial part of the process.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to retell every detail of your trauma. It’s a powerful, client-centered approach that helps reduce reactivity, increase resilience, and foster long-term healing, especially for people who feel stuck or overwhelmed by their trauma history.

EMDR is recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) and World Health Organization (WHO) as a highly effective treatment for PTSD and complex trauma.

 TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment designed to help children, teens, and adults process traumatic experiences in a safe, structured, and supportive way. It combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy with trauma-sensitive interventions, helping clients understand how trauma affects their thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and giving them tools to move forward.

TF-CBT can be especially helpful for people who have experienced:

• Childhood abuse or neglect
   
• Domestic violence
   
• Grief or traumatic loss
   
• Identity-based trauma (such as racism, homophobia, or transphobia)
   
• Sexual abuse or assault
   
• Medical trauma or invasive procedures
   

This list is not exhaustive. Many forms of trauma may be appropriate for TF-CBT, and not everyone who has experienced these situations will benefit from this specific approach. The most important first step is meeting with a clinician to determine whether TF-CBT is the right fit for you or your child.

TF-CBT typically involves building coping skills before diving into trauma processing. Sessions may include psychoeducation, emotion regulation, relaxation strategies, and eventually the creation of a trauma narrative in a way that is safe and empowering. When working with youth, caregivers are often included in treatment to support healing at home and beyond.

This model is backed by decades of research and is widely used to treat PTSD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties that stem from trauma. It is flexible, collaborative, and designed to meet each client where they are.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based form of trauma therapy developed to help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related symptoms. Rooted in cognitive behavioral principles, CPT focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that keep people stuck in the aftermath of trauma. Through guided reflection and structured exercises, clients learn to recognize patterns in their thinking that may be preventing healing and begin to create new, balanced perspectives about themselves, others, and the world.

Unlike many forms of talk therapy, CPT is a time-limited, highly focused approach. Rather than revisiting every detail of the traumatic event, it emphasizes how you’ve made sense of the trauma and how those meanings continue to shape your emotions and behavior today. The process encourages both insight and practical skills, empowering clients to take an active role in their recovery.

Cognitive Processing Therapy may be a good fit for people who have experienced:

• Identity-based trauma, such as racism, transphobia, or homophobia
   
• Childhood or adult experiences of abuse or neglect
   
• Sexual assault or interpersonal violence
   
• Sudden loss, grief, or life-threatening events

• Post-traumatic stress following military, medical, or first-responder experiences
   
• Persistent guilt, shame, or self-blame related to past experiences
   

This list is not comprehensive, and not everyone who has experienced trauma will benefit from CPT. A consultation with a trained clinician can help determine whether this structured, skills-based approach is right for your needs.

CPT has been extensively researched and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Psychological Association as a leading treatment for PTSD. Many people who have struggled with other therapeutic methods find that CPT offers a clear, compassionate framework for understanding how trauma affects their thoughts and emotions. By learning to reframe unhelpful beliefs and process difficult memories safely, clients often experience lasting relief and a renewed sense of control over their lives.