Trauma therapy can help you:
Release Past Wounds
Experience Emotional Balance
Restore Trust

Healing from trauma is possible.
Trauma is both about what happened to you and what happened inside you.
It can leave you stuck in survival mode, constantly on edge, disconnected from your body, or emotionally shut down. You might find yourself repeating patterns you can’t quite explain, or wondering why certain memories, places, or people still bring such a strong response.
If you’ve been feeling like something is wrong with you, you’re not alone. The truth is - what you’re experiencing isn't a personal failure - it's a protective response from a nervous system that’s been overwhelmed for too long.
With the right support, it’s possible to come back into connection with yourself, with others, and with a life that feels grounded and meaningful.
Meet Suzanne
Suzanne Teare, Licensed Trauma Therapist EMDR, IFS, & KAP
Suzanne Teare, LCSW draws from holistic, evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help individuals process trauma, alleviate anxiety and depression, and reconnect with their sense of self. She creates a safe and collaborative space for clients to explore their experiences, fostering clarity, connection, and healing.
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Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Education: Master of Social Work, University of Southern California
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Additional specialties: Relational trauma, attachment issues, developmental trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, codependency and/or people-pleasing, childhood emotional neglect, somatic awareness
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Location: Fair Oaks and Virtual
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Finding the Right Fit: Trauma and Therapy Approaches That Work
Healing from trauma looks different for everyone. That’s why I offer several therapy options that are grounded in both compassion and research. In addition to traditional talk therapy and "top-down" approaches such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and elements of Cognitive Processing Therapy, I specialize in mental health services that address the body in your trauma treatment ("bottom-up" approaches). Whether you’re healing from childhood experiences, a recent event, or long-standing patterns that no longer serve you, it’s important to work with a therapist who understands trauma and knows how to help.
I use the following effective, "bottom-up" approaches for trauma treatment to address your mental health concerns, help increase coping skills, and reduce trauma symptoms:
Trauma Therapy EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
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A gentle, step-by-step process tailored to your nervous system’s capacity
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Support for healing emotional and physical symptoms of trauma
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A focus on your internal strengths and resources, not just your pain
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A collaborative relationship where you’re always in control of the pace
Trauma Therapy IFS (Internal Family Systems)
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A non-pathologizing, evidence-based approach to trauma therapy that views the mind as made up of many different “parts,” each with its own perspective and emotion.
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A focus on building a compassionate relationship with these parts - especially the ones carrying pain, fear, or shame - so that healing can happen from the inside out.

What is Trauma?
Psychological trauma stems from several types of events, including accidents, loss, physical or sexual abuse, violence or sexual assault, and the profound impact of having an emotionally unavailable, demanding, or hyper-critical parent, sibling, partner, or friend.
Essentially, trauma encompasses any deeply distressing experience that overwhelms an individual's capacity to cope, leaving enduring emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical scars.
The aftermath of trauma may manifest in various forms, including:
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Few memories, no memories, or intrusive memories
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Feeling unreal, disconnected, or out of your body
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Hypervigilance, irritability, anxiety, or panic attacks
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Chronic pain, headaches, or insomnia
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Substance abuse and eating disorders
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Depression and hopelessness
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Nightmares and flashbacks
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Shame and worthlessness
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Emotional overwhelm or numbing
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Challenges in forming trusting relationships

Can trauma therapy help you?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to instinctively downplay the effects of childhood trauma or a recent traumatic event as a way to cope with overwhelming experiences. You might find yourself minimizing or feeling confused about the impact of what you've been through, especially if your trauma didn’t involve overt stressors like abuse or violence. You’re not alone in feeling this way—many people try to move past their pain without fully acknowledging it.
However, recent research and countless client stories reveal that emotional trauma, even if it seems less dramatic, can be profoundly impactful. Trauma can shape your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways you might not fully recognize. You might experience lingering anxiety, relationship difficulties, or a general sense of being overwhelmed.
Whether your goal is to recover from childhood trauma or a more recent traumatic event, trauma therapy provides a safe and supportive space to explore these feelings and experiences. It can help you uncover the deeper effects of your trauma, understand how it influences your daily life, and develop effective strategies to heal and move forward. By working with a therapist, you can start to address the underlying issues that may be holding you back and learn to reclaim your sense of well-being.
Reduce PTSD Symptoms
Improve Emotional Regulation and Distress Tolerance
Improve Emotional Regulation
Decrease Anxiety and Depression
Enhance Coping Skills
Promote Positive Self-Perception
Support Overall Well-being
TRAUMA THERAPY AIMS TO RESTORE BALANCE
The Science Behind Trauma and Healing
Understanding how trauma affects the brain and body can offer hope and clarity about the healing process. Here’s a look at how trauma impacts us and how therapy can help:
How Trauma Affects the Brain. Trauma can influence how we process emotions and handle stress. Key areas involved include:
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The Amygdala: This part of the brain helps us respond to emotions and perceive threats. After trauma, it might become more sensitive, which can make you feel more anxious or fearful. The good news is that therapy can help calm this response over time.
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The Hippocampus: This area helps with forming memories and making sense of our experiences. Trauma can affect its function, but therapy can support its healing and improve memory and learning.
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The Prefrontal Cortex: This part is crucial for decision-making and self-control. Trauma might make it harder to focus and manage impulses, but therapeutic techniques can help restore its balance and function.
The Body’s Response to Trauma. Trauma triggers a natural stress response, preparing your body to deal with immediate challenges:
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Stress Hormones: Trauma increases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can affect your overall health. Trauma therapy can help manage these stress responses and promote healing.
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Nervous System Balance: Your nervous system might feel out of balance after trauma, leading to feelings of hyper-alertness or disconnection. Therapy can help restore calm and stability.
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Physical Health: Prolonged stress from trauma can impact physical health, but addressing trauma through therapy can lead to improvements in well-being and vitality.
Research and Hopeful Outcomes. Recent research shows that trauma therapy can be incredibly effective in fostering recovery and well-being:
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Brain Healing: The brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and heal, known as neuroplasticity. Therapy can support this process, helping you build new, healthier patterns of thinking and feeling.
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Effective Therapy Approaches: Techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and IFS (Internal Family Systems) are designed to address trauma in a way that promotes healing and emotional resilience.
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Positive Change: Studies have demonstrated that trauma therapy can lead to significant improvements in emotional balance, quality of life, and overall happiness.
Therapy is a supportive journey towards healing and regaining control, and with the support of an empathetic, trained therapist, you can move towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

APPROACH
What does a trauma therapy session look like?
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Initial Consultation
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Our first meeting is an opportunity to discuss your experiences and goals. We’ll explore your history and current challenges to create a personalized therapy plan. You can talk with me about any questions or concerns you have and I will support you each step of the way.
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Session Structure and Techniques
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Active Participation and Self-Care
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Active collaboration between you and your therapist is key to your progress. I encourage you to communicate openly about your experiences and practice self-care between meetings. This collaboration supports your journey toward healing and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trauma Therapy










