Who Are the Best Trauma Therapists in Los Angeles?

When you’re working towards healing from trauma, finding the right therapist can make all the difference. 

At Diversified Therapy LA, a practice focused on trauma-informed therapy in Los Angeles, we support members of marginalized groups including people of color and the LGBTQ+ community in overcoming their traumas. This practice caters to trauma that can show up in the forms of anxiety, depression, stress, or burnout you might be experiencing from being repeatedly exposed to traumatic events. My approach to trauma therapy in Los Angeles is structured in consideration of the unique stressors that people may experience. I provide a personalized care to my clients, making sure each session is filled with support and compassion. 

If this is something you or someone you know may be interested in, you could always reach out to learn more here. 

Of course, I understand that each individual’s healing process is unique and many clinicians may be a better fit for a variety of reasons. To make your search for a trauma therapist in los angeles less stressful, I’ve compiled a list clinicians I'd recommend to anyone looking to find trauma focused therapy in Los Angeles. 

5 best Los Angeles trauma therapists

Here’s a concise list of some of clinicians I would recommend including their credentials, and what stands out about their practice. These professionals have unique skills and personalities which may draw you to their therapeutic approach.

1. Lillian Farzan, LMFT

Lillian Farzan is a compassionate social-justice oriented therapist known for her passion for diversity and inclusion. She creates a safe environment for her clients. She’s dedicated to supporting members of marginalized communities, adult children of immigrants, people of color, and the queer community. Lillian has a strong academic background and personal life experiences which motivates her to help adults confront traumatic issues related to intersectionality, social injustice, and systemic oppression. What also stands out about Lilian is her creative pursuits, which is creates a validating space for people impacted by social injustice.  Her practice is exclusively telehealth. 

• Lilian’s Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

• License Number: # 121953

• Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree, University of California, Santa Cruz

  • Graduate Degree, University of Southern California

• Specialty Area(s):

  • Marginalized communities (first-generation individuals, POC, LGBTQ+ community)

  • Intersectionality, social injustice, racism, systemic issues

  • EMDR therapy for trauma

• Years in Practice: Since 2016 

• Link to Lilian’s Longer Bio: https://www.lillianfarzan.com/  

2. Jacklynne Marder, LMFT

Jacklynne Marder is a licensed therapist whose trauma-informed care makes her an excellent choice for individuals, children, and couples who seek treatment. She attends to clients both virtually and in person in Los Angeles, CA. Jacklynne impressively integrates EMDR and Somatic Experiencing therapy into her practice. She has additional certifications as a trauma-informed yoga instructor and a breathwork facilitator - a holistic approach to trauma counseling. Jacklynne's empathetic support and exceptional care cultivates a safe environment for her clients.

• Jacklynne’s Credentials:

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

  • EMDR Level 1 and 2 Professional Training: EMDR Institute
    Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy Training

  • Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate

  • Internal Family Systems Training

  • 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Bhakti Yoga Shala

  • Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training

  • Trauma Resource Model Professional Certification Program

• License Number: #131000

• Education:

  • Master’s Degree in Psychology, Pepperdine University

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder

• Specialty Area(s):

  • Trauma

  • EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

  • Somatic Experiencing therapy

  • Trauma-informed yoga and breathwork

• In Practice: Since 2018

• Link to Jacklynne Longer Bio: https://www.jacklynnemarderpsychotherapy.com/

3. Tiffany Lowery, LMFT

Tiffany owns a private practice, Lowerywood Counseling Services (based in Los Angeles, CA), where she consults with clients both online and in office. She’s a mental health speaker and an advocate for mental health awareness, working to eliminate the stigmas associated with mental health, particularly among poor and marginalized populations. Tiffany has extensive experience working with children, young adults, families, and couples. She describes her approach as eclectic, relying heavily on CBT and Psychodynamic modalities. Tiffany holds her clients accountable all while creating a nurturing space to explore traumas.

• Tiffany’s Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

• License number: #132808

• Education: Antioch University-Los Angeles, Clinical Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy 

• Specialty area(s):

  • Teen therapy 

  • TF-CBT

  • Grief and loss

  • Suicide prevention 

  • Life transitions 

• Years in practice: Over 7 years 

• Link to Tiffany’s longer bio: https://www.lowerywoodcounseling.com/

4. Amber Robinson, LMFT

Amber Robinson is a highly skilled Los Angeles trauma therapist. She specializes in working with millennials and creatives, tackling anxiety and burnout, attachment-based trauma, and childhood traumas. Her lived experiences allow her to truly connect with her clients and guide them to healing. She provides a comfortable space for the clients she works with. Amber believes in working collaboratively with her clients; building a therapeutic relationship that feels more like talking to a friend, which can really help clients feel comfortable and open during sessions. Amber is based in Los Angeles, CA and accepts appointments both in office and online. 

• Credentials:  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

• License Number:  #123517

• Specialty Area(s):

  • Therapy for millennials and creatives

  • Anxiety and burnout

  • Navigating relationships

  • Healing from childhood trauma

  • Racialized Trauma-informed 

• Years in Practice: 7 years

• Link to Amber’s About Page:  https://www.aroadthrough.com/amber

5. Samar Haroon, LMFT

Samar is a culturally sensitive South Asian trauma therapist who uses a systemic approach in her client's therapy journey. She is passionate in her work and in providing a safe space for clients to explore the complexities of experiencing the nuances of culture and identity. She also supports her clients in celebrating their strengths, which is essential in treatment of past trauma. Through her practice, Therapy in Colour, Samar supports the BIPOC population and South Asian communities in overcoming deep-seated trauma. She makes her clients feel safe and empowered. In my professional opinion, Samar's approach is necessary and extremely impactful.

• Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

• Education: The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• Specialty area(s):

  • Intergenerational Trauma

  • Childhood PTSD

  • Religious Trauma

  • Interracial relationships

  • Imposter Syndrome

• Years in practice: 7 years

• Link to Samar's about page: https://www.therapyincolour.com/about-us

FAQs about trauma therapy in Los Angeles

• What is the best therapy for trauma?

  There isn't a single type of therapy that is universally considered " the best.” Although different modalities help heal mental health, research shows that your relationship with your therapist is a good predictor of success in treatment.

  There are different psychotherapy treatments for traumatic stress. There are a few that have been extensively researched, proven to be effective, and can be classified as "evidence-based." Among these modalities are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and prolonged exposure therapies. There are also many other modalities that clinicians practice.

  EMDR is a structured form of therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (usually with eye movements). This process is believed to help reduce the vividness of the emotions associated with traumatic memories.

  There is also TF-CBT, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy specifically adapted for trauma. It involves the patient confronting their traumatic memories in a safe therapeutic environment. In my practice, I use TF-CBT to tailor treatment to the individual needs of my clients. I provide compassionate care and teach clients skills drawn from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), setting boundaries, body awareness, self-care, and helping clients discover unhelpful patterns that hold us back from healing.

• What is the success rate of trauma therapy?

  Different studies have shown that trauma therapy has a high success rate, particularly when using evidence-based methods like EMDR and TF-CBT. Research indicates that up to 77% of patients with PTSD experience significant symptom reduction after completing EMDR therapy .

  Similarly, trauma-focused CBT has proved to be highly effective, with about 60-80% of individuals experiencing substantial improvements. There are numerous  benefits of trauma counseling including reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, improved emotional regulation, and better overall functioning. EMDR sessions for instance help process and desensitize traumatic memories, helping a person diminish the emotional charge of these memories.

  As a trauma therapist myself, I have witnessed these positive outcomes firsthand. I’ve seen clients experiencing trauma move towards achieving greater self-awareness, resilience, and well-being through trauma interventions for their individual needs. Relationship issues and connections with others have improved.

• What is the difference between a therapist and a trauma therapist?

  A generalists therapist provides broad mental health support. They address issues ranging from anxiety, to depression and other mental health issues using cognitive-behavioral approaches. However, a trauma therapist specializes in treating persons with ingrained trauma and its psychological impacts and helping them to move forward from their past experiences. Trauma can also be complex, presenting symptoms include low self-esteem, substance use, eating disorders, and even physical symptoms and chronic illness. There are also clinicians who specialize in each of these symptoms.

  Trauma therapists have to be specifically trained to understand complex trauma. They use techniques like EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Exposure Therapy (EP), and Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). Trauma clinicians typically take additional certifications and extensive training beyond their initial therapy credentials. They take specialized training, workshops, and supervised clinical experiences focused on trauma.

  I hold certifications in trauma-specific modalities such as TF-CBT and have attended numerous trainings on trauma-informed care. 

Take the first steps toward healing trauma today.

Taking the first step to trauma treatment can feel scary, and it is also extremely courageous to take that first step.

Trauma lives in the body and we can feel dysregulated when activated. We hold onto this trauma until we feel safe and ready to address it. It's important to explore this pain gradually and with compassion. As a trauma specialist in the Los Angeles area, I employ proven methods to help my clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. My approach in individual therapy is compassionate and judgment-free, ensuring first that you’re in an environment where you feel safe and understood. Before exploring traumas, I will teach you skills for nervous system regulation and how to manage the difficult emotions that may come up. You can learn self-compassion, practice kindness towards yourself and minimize negative thoughts. Together, we will work to reduce the emotional impact of your trauma and finally learn to be in the present moment instead of reliving the past traumatic experience. You can learn to regain your life.

When you feel ready to begin treating trauma and explore your healing journey, reach out to a therapist to learn more.