Complex PTSD Therapist Los Angeles
Helping You Reconnect With Your Authentic Self
With Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Complex PTSD Therapy in Los Angeles
Heal & Transform Your Life
Are you juggling a thousand things, trying to keep everyone happy, but somewhere along the line, you’ve forgotten how to take care of yourself? You’re smart, driven, and from the outside, you’re the picture of success. But inside, it’s a different story. The constant anxiety, the replaying of every conversation in your head, the feeling that you’re always walking on eggshells—it’s exhausting.
You feel like you’re always one minor inconvenience away from a full f*cking breakdown.
I get it. Maybe you’re always saying yes to everyone else, afraid that setting boundaries will make you seem selfish. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Complex PTSD Treatment Los Angeles
I work best with clients who are committed to long-term growth and personal development. If you’re looking for a fast band aid solution, or if you’re not ready to dive deep and do the work, I might not be the right fit for you.
But if you’re ready to understand and change your deep subconscious patterns, find balance, and build a life that feels true to you, let’s chat. Therapy with me is about understanding your past, healing your present, and empowering your future. You’ll learn how to calm your nervous system, recognize your triggers, and build resilience.
Complex PTSD Symptoms
What Complex PTSD Looks Like in The Adults I Work With
- Walking on eggshells, trying not to upset anyone.
- Saying yes to everyone and neglecting your own needs by people pleasing.
- Chasing perfection and always feeling like you fall short.
- Always feeling like something’s about to go wrong.
- Feeling "On Edge" (Hypervigilance)
- Reliving past trauma when you least expect it.
- Feeling detached or not fully present
- Finding it hard to trust others, no matter how much they prove themselves.
- Overanalyzing every interaction and conversation.
- Feeling unlovable or fearing people will leave if they see the real you.
These patterns are your brain and body’s way of coping with unresolved trauma, but they don’t have to stay that way. If you’re ready to break free from these cycles and truly invest in yourself, therapy can help you turn things around.
Complex PTSD Therapy in Los Angeles
My Approach to CPTSD Therapy
- Creating a Safe & Trusting Environment
I provide a secure and confidential space where you can explore your trauma without fear of judgment. Trust is essential in the therapeutic process, and we work hard to build a trusting relationship with you. You need to feel safe to open up, and that’s what I aim to create—a place where you feel understood and supported.
- Personalized Therapy Plans
Each therapy plan is tailored to your unique experiences and needs. We use a variety of therapeutic techniques to address the specific challenges you face. No two people are the same, so your therapy plan will be as unique as you are, designed to help you heal in the best way possible.
- Combining Therapeutic Techniques
I integrate different trauma-informed approaches, such as somatic therapy, mindfulness practices, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), to provide comprehensive care. By combining these holistic techniques, we can work on healing both your mind and body, giving you the tools you need to move forward.
Complex PTSD Therapy in Los Angeles
What to Expect in CPTSD Therapy
- Initial Session
Our first session is all about getting to know each other. We’ll dive into your history and figure out what you want to achieve in therapy. This is your chance to lay it all out—what’s been happening, what you’re hoping for, and how I can best support you. Think of it as a collaborative process where your input helps me set up a blueprint.
- Ongoing Therapy Sessions
In our regular sessions, we’ll focus on building trust, exploring your trauma, and developing coping strategies. And when I say “explore your trauma,” I’m not talking about going over every single detail for no reason. It’s more about how your mind/body PERCEIVED it – and the subconscious narratives that were formed out of it. Each session is a step forward in your healing journey. We’ll use a mix of techniques tailored to your needs, helping you work through your trauma and build resilience.
- Techniques I Use
I pull from a variety of methods to make sure we’re addressing all aspects of your well-being. Here are a few:
- Somatic Therapy: Helps you connect with your body and release stored tension.
- Mindfulness: Teaches you to stay present and manage overwhelming emotions.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches: Helps you understand and change unhelpful thought patterns.
- IFS: Helps you understand that you have many different layers and “parts,” and sometimes those parts can feel like they’re conflicting with each other all the damn time.
Complex PTSD Treatment Los Angeles
Complex PTSD, or CPTSD, is a condition that comes from repeated or ongoing trauma. Unlike PTSD, which usually results from a single traumatic event, CPTSD can develop from repeated exposure to trauma, like ongoing emotional abuse, neglect, or living in a stressful environment for a long time. It’s not just about the big, intense moments, but also about those repeated experiences that make you feel unsafe or helpless over time.
How CPTSD Affects Daily Life
Living with CPTSD can feel like you’re in survival mode 24/7. Trusting people can be hard, relationships can be a mess, and dealing with stress can seem impossible. You might always feel on edge, waiting for something bad to happen. Or you migh always be scanning the room, trying analyze every facial expression. This constant state of alertness is exhausting and overwhelming. Recognizing how CPTSD impacts your daily life is a huge step toward finding ways to cope and heal.
C PTSD Treatment in LA
Therapy's Role in Healing
- Building Self Worth
Ever feel like you’re not good enough? Trauma can seriously knock your confidence. Therapy helps rebuild a positive self-image, showing you that you are worth it. We’ll boost your self-esteem so you can start believing in yourself again.
- Emotion Regulation
Tired of your emotions running the show? You’ll learn to manage intense feelings without them taking over your life. Imagine handling your emotions with curiosity and compassion. We’ll practice techniques to help you stay in control and keep your cool.
- Improving Relationships
Struggling with personal relationships? Trauma often distorts how we connect with others. Therapy can help you understand your attachment styles and improve your interactions. We’ll work on building healthier, more fulfilling relationships where you feel valued and understood.
- Reducing Hypervigilance
Always feel like you’re on high alert? Walking on eggshells? Living in a constant state of alertness is exhausting. In therapy, you’ll learn techniques to relax and feel safer in your environment. Imagine being able to unwind and feel calm without the constant anxiety.
- Setting Boundaries
Struggle to speak your mind without worrying about upsetting others? I’ll help you communicate your needs clearly and confidently.
- Practicing Self-Care
Feel like self-care is just another item on your to-do list? We’ll find ways to make self-care a natural and sustainable part of your life.
Our Brains Are Initially Wired For Connection, But Trauma Rewires It For Protection. Therapy Can Help Restore Your Innate Capacity for Deep, Meaningful Connections"
Complex PTSD Therapy Los Angeles
Click here to schedule your free 15- minute consultation for Complex PTSD therapy in Los Angeles, CA. My other specialties include treatment for anxiety, healing from a trauma (or traumas), and improving the quality of relationships by examining your attachment style.
It is time to call and get help. You deserve it.
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FAQ About Complex PTSD Therapy in Los Angeles
When someone experiences repeated tough situations, their brain and body can develop ways to protect them—even when they don’t need that protection anymore. This can lead to symptoms that feel overwhelming or confusing.
Big Emotions That Feel Hard to Control
You might feel super angry, really sad, or numb, and it seems like these feelings come out of nowhere.
Feeling Stuck in the Past
Your brain might bring up bad memories when you don’t want it to—like nightmares or flashbacks—making it feel like you’re back in a bad situation, even if you’re safe now.
Being on High Alert (Like a Guard Dog on Duty 24/7)
You might feel jumpy, tense, or like you always have to be ready for something bad to happen—even when everything is okay.
Trouble Trusting People
It might feel really hard to believe that people actually care or that they won’t hurt you. Maybe you push people away, or maybe you feel like you need to keep them super close so they don’t leave.
Feeling Not Good Enough
You might feel like you’re bad, broken, or not as important as other people. That’s not true, but it’s a feeling a lot of people with C-PTSD struggle with.
Avoiding Things That Remind You of the Past
You might avoid certain places, people, or situations because they remind you of bad experiences, even if those things aren’t dangerous anymore.
Struggles in Relationships
It can be really hard to feel close to people or know who to trust. Sometimes you might push people away, and other times you might feel really scared of being alone.
The Most Important Thing to Know:
C-PTSD is not your fault. Your brain and body are just trying to protect you in ways that may not be helpful anymore. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
It Feels Like You’re Stuck in Survival Mode
Your brain and body are wired for danger, even when you’re safe. You might feel constantly on edge, easily startled, or emotionally shut down.
You Struggle to Feel Safe, Even in Normal Situations
Something as simple as a loud noise, a certain smell, or a certain tone of voice can trigger an intense reaction. Your body reacts before your brain can remind you that you’re not in danger anymore.
Relationships Are Complicated
You might find yourself avoiding closeness, fearing abandonment, or feeling like you can’t trust anyone. It’s hard to let people in when your past has taught you that love isn’t always safe.
Your Emotions Can Be Overwhelming or Hard to Access
Sometimes, you feel too much—like emotions hit all at once, and you can’t control them. Other times, you feel nothing at all, like you’re disconnected from yourself and the world.
You Battle Negative Thoughts About Yourself
C-PTSD can make you feel like you’re not good enough, like you’re broken, or like you don’t deserve good things. These thoughts aren’t the truth, but they can feel impossible to silence.
Sleep, Focus, and Motivation Can Be a Struggle
Falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested can be difficult. Concentration might feel impossible, and everyday tasks can seem overwhelming.
You Might Rely on Coping Mechanisms That No Longer Help
Whether it’s avoidance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or unhealthy habits, you’ve likely developed ways to cope that once kept you safe—but now, they might be holding you back.
A Complex PTSD Trigger Can Feel Like:
A Sudden Rush of Fear or Panic – Your heart races, your chest feels tight, and your body is ready to fight, run, or shut down.
Like You’re Reliving the Past – You might have flashbacks, intrusive memories, or strong emotions that make it feel like you’re back in the traumatic situation, even if you know you’re safe.
Irritability or Anger That Feels Out of Nowhere – Your body reacts before your mind catches up. Small things might make you snap or feel overwhelmed.
Feeling Numb or Disconnected – You might go blank, feel emotionally detached, or feel like you’re watching yourself from the outside.
Overwhelming Sadness or Shame – A deep, heavy feeling of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness can flood in suddenly.
The Urge to Escape – You might feel the need to leave, shut down, or avoid a situation entirely, even if it seems harmless to others.
Physical Symptoms – Triggers can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, sweating, or even feeling like you can’t breathe.
Finding a complex PTSD therapist in Los Angeles can be done by searching online directories such as Psychology Today, Therapy Den, and other online directories, asking for referrals from your primary care doctor, or contacting local mental health organizations. Look for therapists who specialize in trauma and mention complex PTSD in their profiles.
The duration of therapy for complex PTSD varies significantly depending on the individual, the severity of their symptoms, and their personal progress. Therapy can range from several months to a few years, with the understanding that healing is a gradual process.
While C-PTSD may not “go away” entirely, effective therapy and support can significantly reduce its impact on your life, helping to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Many individuals find they can lead fulfilling lives with the right treatment and coping strategies.
Destructive behaviors associated with C-PTSD can include substance abuse, self-harm, avoidance of relationships or situations that trigger memories of trauma, and difficulty regulating emotions which may lead to aggressive or impulsive actions. Recognizing and addressing these behaviors is a crucial part of the healing process.
The most effective therapy for complex PTSD is one that is tailored to the individual, recognizing the unique ways in which complex trauma affects each person. In my practice, I focus on integrative approaches that combine various therapeutic modalities to address the multifaceted nature of complex PTSD.
One key approach I utilize is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which directly addresses the symptoms of PTSD and helps individuals develop skills to process their trauma in a healthy manner. Somatic therapy is also central to my practice, emphasizing the mind-body connection and assisting clients in releasing physical tension associated with traumatic experiences.
Holistic therapy approaches are integral to treating complex PTSD, as they consider the whole person — emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects — ensuring a comprehensive healing process. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a compassionate framework, enabling individuals to understand and heal parts of themselves that are stuck in trauma.
Furthermore, my practice is grounded in trauma-informed care, prioritizing a safe, respectful, and empathetic therapeutic environment that acknowledges and integrates an understanding of trauma’s impact on the individual’s life.
By focusing on these therapies — from somatic and holistic approaches to IFS therapy and trauma-informed care — I aim to provide a well-rounded and effective treatment plan for individuals navigating the challenges of complex PTSD.
“The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity” by Nadine Burke Harris
“Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal” by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
