Trauma Therapy Los Angeles
Trauma therapy in Los Angeles for Adults Who Are Tired of Pretending They’re Fine
Get Unstuck With Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles
Healing is Hard, But So is Staying Stuck
You don’t even know what’s wrong anymore… You’re not in an active crisis. Nothing dramatic just happened. You’re just… tired.
You’re sick of waiting for the other shoe to drop… even when there’s no damn shoe.
You go to work. You answer the texts. You do the things. You seem fine.
But under the surface? You’re tense all the time. Your jaw hurts. Your chest is tight.
You keep overthinking everything—like that one thing you said to someone two weeks ago that probably meant nothing, but is still keeping you up at night.
Maybe you’ve done therapy before. You follow all the trauma pages online. You bought six trauma books that you, ironically, dissociate to while reading.
So you get why you are the way you are. You just don’t know what to do about it
Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles: Healing from the Inside Out
Looking for a Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles That Actually Gets It?
Meet Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
You don’t need another worksheet or a breathing app. You’re not looking to talk in circles about your trauma without knowing what to do with it.
You want insight—but also integration. The “aha” moments and the nervous system support that helps you stop spiraling at night.
Are you looking for a therapist that helps you connect the dots and calm your body?
Someone who gets that being high-functioning doesn’t mean you’re okay.
If you’re looking for integrative trauma therapy in Los Angeles that actually helps you feel grounded, seen, and like your body can finally exhale—you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Cheryl! I’m a trauma therapist in LA who works with people who seem like they’re doing fine—but on the inside, they feel tense, tired, and like they can never fully relax.
If you’ve been holding it together for a long time—doing everything right, showing up for everyone else—but still feel off inside, especially in your body, you’re not alone.
I use a mix of somatic therapy, attachment theory, and parts work (Internal Family Systems) to help your body feel safe again—not just your mind.
You don’t need to be fixed. You were never broken. But your system might still be stuck in survival mode—overthinking, shutting down, always managing.
Whether it’s trauma, anxiety, or just being the strong one for too long—we’ll work together so you can finally feel calm, rest, and reconnect with yourself.
Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles to Help You Feel Safe Again
Imagine what it would feel like to:
- Trust yourself without second-guessing every decision.
- Feel at ease in your own body instead of constantly bracing for impact.
- Set boundaries without the crushing guilt.
- Stop replaying conversations 100 times before bed.
- Actually feel safe—mentally, emotionally, physically.
When you’ve been living in survival mode for years, even the idea of calm can feel unfamiliar.
But what if your body could finally learn what a regulated nervous system feels like?
Coping Skills for Trauma in LA
Coping Skills You’ll Learn in Trauma Therapy: Tools for Healing & Regulation
In trauma therapy, we don’t just talk—we build tools. I utilize a holistic approach that works with your whole system, not just your thoughts.
- How to regulate your nervous system when everything feels like too much — Somatic therapy helps you calm your body, not just your thoughts.
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Noticing and supporting the younger parts of you that still feel scared, small, or ashamed — With IFS therapy, we make space for those parts to be fully seen.
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Setting boundaries without spiraling into guilt or fear of being “too much” — Attachment-focused therapy helps you stay connected to others while staying true to yourself.
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Understanding the difference between what’s dangerous and what just feels familiar — Especially important if you’re healing from CPTSD or childhood trauma.
What Clients Say About Working with Me in Trauma Therapy
Trauma Therapist Los Angeles
Click here to schedule your free 15- minute consultation for trauma therapy in Los Angeles, CA. My other specialties include treatment for anxiety and improving the quality of relationships by examining your attachment style.
If you’re ready, I’d love to help you start feeling like yourself again. You deserve that
FAQ About trauma Therapy in Los Angeles
What Are Common Symptoms Of Trauma?
Some well-known symptoms of trauma include:
- Feeling like you’re re- experiencing the event:
This can manifest in nightmares, flashbacks, or sudden emotional or somatic reactions to things that either consciously or subconsciously remind you of the event - Avoiding things that remind you of the event:
This often leads to isolation or withdrawing from activities that you previously found enjoyable. - Hypervigilance:
Sensitive startle responses, constantly feeling on guard or on edge, and hypervigilance to potential threats. This can negatively affect sleep, concentration, and increase irritability.
What Does Trauma Look Like In Adults?
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations
- Helplessness
- Guilt or Shame
- Self-Blame
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Irritability
- Fearfulness
- Difficulty in relationships
- Anxiety
- Grieving who you used to be
- Loss of self
- No sense of purpose
- Feeling disconnected, shut down, or not always “there”
- Somatic symptoms
What is PTSD?
The DSM-5 defines Post-Traumatic Stress Disoder (PTSD) as “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.” PTSD can develop from directly experiencing the traumatic event, witnessing it, or learning of an actual or threatened death to a close family member or friend.
To qualify for a PTSD diagnosis, you need to have experienced either intrusive memories about the trauma, dreams, dissociative reactions (like flashbacks), intense distress when exposed to cues that remind you of the traumatic event, or physiological reactions to it. Persistence avoidance, arousal and reactivity associated with the event, + “negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event” must also be present for more than one month.
When we think of PTSD, we often think of things such as military combat, natural disasters, accidents, or personal assaults. However, trauma is more nuanced and complex than just a DSM diagnosis, and far more common than just generalized stereotypes.
What is Complex PTSD? AKA CPTSD
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) develops after experiencing long-term or repeated traumatic events, including childhood abuse or neglect, exposure to violence, or living somewhere that feels unsafe, unstable or unpredictable.
“But I didn’t have anything big or really traumatic happen to me”
I hear this statement so often, and it is SO NECESSARY to acknowledge that C-PTSD can also develop from a combination of “smaller” traumas or adverse life events. These events might include ongoing emotional neglect, being bullied, domestic violence, or even growing up in a chaotic or unstable environment. The impact of these “seemingly less” severe traumas can accumulate over time, leading to the development of C-PTSD symptoms.
Remember, only a trained mental health professional can determine if you have PTSD or CPTSD.
If you’re in Los Angeles and struggling with Complex PTSD, feel free to reach out. I’d love to. help.
How long does trauma therapy typically take?
The duration of trauma therapy varies based on individual needs and the nature of the trauma. Short-term interventions may span a few weeks, while more complex cases might involve longer-term therapy.
What approaches are used in trauma therapy?
Therapists may use various evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic techniques. The choice depends on the individual’s needs and preferences.
As a trauma therapist in Los Angeles, I utilize techniques such as somatic therapy, holistic therapy, and internal family systems.
How do I find a qualified trauma therapist in Los Angeles?
Look for licensed therapists in the LA area with experience in trauma treatment. Check online directories, read reviews, and consider recommendations from healthcare professionals or friends. You can also check out my blog on “How to Find A Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles.”
Is trauma therapy covered by insurance?
It’s advisable to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket expenses. If you have PPO insurance, I can provide you with a “Superbill” for reimbursement.
What can I expect during a trauma therapy session?
During trauma therapy sessions in Los Angeles, you can expect a supportive and confidential environment where we work together to address your unique experiences. Our sessions will involve open discussions about your feelings and challenges, utilizing evidence-based techniques such as somatic therapy, attachment-focused therapy, and holistic approaches to help you process trauma and develop effective coping strategies. The goal is to empower you to heal and regain control over your life.
How can I get started with trauma therapy in Los Angeles with Cheryl Groskopf?
Getting started with trauma therapy in Los Angeles is simple. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or struggling with anxiety and relationships, I’m here to help.
- Book a Consultation – We’ll talk about what’s going on and see if we’re a good fit. You don’t have to commit to anything upfront.
- Create a Plan That Works for You – Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. We’ll focus on what you need—whether that’s nervous system regulation, breaking trauma responses, or learning how to set boundaries without guilt.
- Start Healing – We’ll work together to process past experiences in a way that helps you move forward, not stay stuck.
What does trauma therapy involve?
Trauma therapy in Los Angeles is about helping you feel safe in your own mind and body while working through the experiences that have shaped you. It’s not just talking about the past—it’s about understanding how those experiences still affect you now and giving you the tools to move forward. In our work together, we’ll focus on recognizing and changing patterns that aren’t serving you, whether that’s self-doubt, people-pleasing, or always feeling on edge. We’ll work on regulating your nervous system, setting boundaries without guilt, and learning how to trust yourself. This isn’t about rehashing painful memories just to relive them—it’s about processing them in a way that helps you heal, not stay stuck. You don’t have to go through this alone, and you don’t have to stay in survival mode forever. Healing is possible, and we’ll go at your pace.
What type of trauma do you work with?
Complex PTSD
- Complex trauma happens over a long period, not just one event
- Feeling trapped, powerless, or constantly on edge
- Learning to suppress emotions or stay small to survive
- Not having consistent support, protection, or validation
- Experiencing repeated betrayal, abandonment, or emotional harm.
How It Shows Up
- Struggling with trust, self-worth, and emotional regulation
- Feeling stuck in patterns of self-blame, shame, or guilt
- Having intense emotional reactions or feeling numb and disconnected
- Constantly scanning for danger, even in safe situations
- Struggling with relationships—pushing people away or clinging too tightly
- Feeling like no matter what you do, you’re never “enough”
Attachment Trauma
- Being an adult child of emotionally immature parents
- Fear of abandonment or rejection
- Never being asked how you’re feeling or what you need
- Feeling like you had to shrink yourself to be loved
- Parents who couldn’t handle emotions—their own or yours
- Constantly managing their emotions
How It Shows Up
- Feeling insecurely attached in relationships
- Over-giving and over-explaining to feel secure
- Shutting down or feeling like your needs don’t matter
- Overanalyzing people’s moods, always on alert
- Feeling guilty for needing support or saying no
- Second-guessing everything you feel and do
Childhood Trauma
- Growing up in an unpredictable, unsafe, or neglectful environment
- Feeling emotionally or physically unsupported by caregivers
- Experiencing criticism, shame, or rejection instead of comfort
- Walking on eggshells to avoid conflict or emotional outbursts
- Learning to hide your feelings to stay safe
How It Shows Up
- Feeling emotionally disconnected or unsure of who you are
- Feeling like you’re “too much” or “not enough”
- Avoiding conflict at all costs or feeling anxious when things are calm
- Overworking, overachieving, or people-pleasing to feel worthy
- Having trouble recognizing or expressing your own needs and emotions
- Feeling responsible for fixing others or making them happy
Generational Trauma
- Trauma, pain, or toxic family patterns passed down through generations
- Parents who never healed their own wounds, leaving you to deal with the fallout
- Unspoken family rules like “we don’t talk about feelings” or “you just push through”
- Growing up with guilt, obligation, or pressure to meet impossible expectations
How It Shows Up
- Carrying emotions that aren’t fully yours—like shame, fear, or unworthiness
- Struggling with guilt for setting boundaries or choosing yourself
- Feeling trapped in family obligations, even when they harm you
- Wanting to break the cycle but feeling afraid of disappointing or losing family
What is Trauma? Do I need therapy?
What Is Trauma?
Trauma can impact every aspect of your life, from your thoughts and emotions to your physical health. It can be caused by a single event, like an accident or loss, or by ongoing stressors, such as childhood neglect or abusive relationships. It could be the anxiety from a childhood where love felt conditional and survival was the name of the game. Or it might be the constant pressure of trying to live up to some impossible standard of success, where no matter what you do, it never feels like enough.
Trauma often leaves you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected. Trauma isn’t “just in your head.” It’s stored in your body, too
How Trauma Affects Your Life
Trauma can disrupt your daily functioning, making it hard to maintain relationships, focus at work, or even enjoy activities you once loved. Understanding trauma is the first step in your healing journey. Whether you’re in a small town or a city as large as Los Angeles it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling. But please know, you are not alone.
Located in Los Angeles – Trauma Therapy Near You
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