10 Steps to Finding the Best Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles

Step 1. Spend some time thinking about what you would like to work on

To prevent what may feel like endless clicks that lead to nowhere, spend some time thinking about what you would like to work on.  Are you seeking couples therapy or individual therapy? Do you prefer to do sessions in-person or online from your own home? Start with the most basic questions, which will help you narrow down your search. 

Step 2. What type of therapy is the best therapy for you, right now, in this very moment?

You don’t need to know modalities, but having an understanding of what type of framework would work best for you is helpful. If you are having trouble in your relationships with others, then seeing a therapist who specializes in grief counseling would probably not be a good fit. Here are some examples: 

• • Are you in a very specific situation that is causing you trauma-related anxiety?  Having trouble making decisions or goals? Looking for short-term treatment with a focus on problem solving? Then solution-focused therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be a great fit. 

• • Want to understand how your brain and body work?  Personally, I integrate holistic and somatic approaches in my trauma work to help you understand how your brain and body work. 

• • If you are seeking help for a trauma, then someone with a trauma-informed lens would be a necessity. 

Step 3. Referrals – Ask around to find the best trauma therapist in Los Angeles! 

 

Have a friend or co-worker who is always talking about how amazing their therapist is?  Ask them for the deets!  How did they find them? If this approach seems a little intrusive to you, or you simply don’t feel comfortable asking, then your primary care physician could help point you in the right direction. 

Step 4. What’s your budget?

Therapy should never be an extra burden or stressor in your life.  So ask yourself – what are you willing to spend on treatment?  Are you paying with insurance or out-of-pocket? If you have a PPO, you may qualify for partial reimbursement utilizing “Superbills.” If your counselor has a website, save some time by checking it out. They most likely have their fees displayed. 

Step 5. Google, Google, and more Google 

Now comes the research! Google is a great resource, and you could even start by googling “find a trauma therapist near me” or “best trauma therapists in Los Angeles.” If you made a list of possible matches, but not sure which ones to reach out to, then check their website. Do they specialize in what you are looking for?  Do you like their vibe, and if not, cross it off your list! 

Step 6. Praise yourself 

Honestly, if you only take one tidbit from this article, this would be it.  Don’t forget to check in and praise yourself throughout the process. Finding a therapist can be time consuming, exhausting, and downright frustrating. Giving yourself a much needed pat on the back can help you from getting discouraged.  Remember that moment when you realized you wanted to invest in yourself? It’s still there. And if you’ve made it this far, you’re doing a damn good job. 

Step 7. Online directories 

Online directories can also be helpful.  Sites like Psychology Today and TherapyDen are super popular, and have some pretty cool features. They give you the options to filter what you are looking for by specialty, location, gender, etc.  

Step 8. Book a Consultation 

This is one of the most underutilized tools out there!  If your prospective therapist offers free consultations (IMO this is an absolute necessity), then book it! 

Step 9. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them 

Feeling comfortable with your therapist is an essential part of your healing.  If you don’t get a good vibe during the consultation, then how will it be possible to show up authentically every week?  

You could have the most sought after therapist in the world. You could conjure up Freud himself (well, not really, but you get the point). But if you don’t feel comfortable, then it is not a good fit. End of story. 

Step 10. Continue to check in with yourself

If you feel like it ultimately is not a good fit, you don’t have to commit.  We won’t take it personally, and will try to help steer you in the right direction. 

Or maybe you found a good trauma therapist in Los Angeles, and it is a great fit, but you’re not getting enough of what you want in your sessions. Perhaps you want more “homework” assigned to you to work on between sessions. Or maybe they are focused too much on problem solving, and you want to process more issues from the past.  Let them know!  You know yourself better than we ever will.