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.

Brainspotting (BSP) is a brain-body based trauma therapy that uses eye position and mindful focus to help you process unresolved emotional pain. By identifying a “brainspot," an eye gaze location that correlates with deep, unprocessed trauma, this method supports the nervous system in moving through stuck emotional and somatic experiences.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting doesn’t rely on verbal processing or retelling your story. It allows the body to lead, helping access trauma that’s stored beyond conscious awareness. This can be especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed, dissociated, or unsure how to begin speaking about their experiences.

Brainspotting may be a good fit for people who have experienced:

• Chronic stress or complex trauma
   
• Childhood emotional neglect
   
• Identity-based trauma (such as transphobia, racism, or homophobia)
   
• Medical trauma or pain conditions
   
• Sexual abuse or assault
   
• Anxiety, dissociation, or emotional shutdown
   

This list is not comprehensive, and not everyone who has experienced these challenges will benefit from BSP. A consultation with a trained clinician can help determine whether Brainspotting is the right approach for your needs.

Although research on Brainspotting is still emerging, it is increasingly used by trauma therapists who work with complex PTSD, somatic symptoms, and clients who benefit from experiential, body-focused healing. Many individuals who have tried other methods without success find that Brainspotting offers a new way in: a gentle, noninvasive route to relief.