California Therapy Finder

Therapists licensed in California, available online across the state

Trauma Therapists Licensed in California

This page lists therapists licensed in California who work with trauma. It is for people seeking online therapy for trauma-related concerns, such as PTSD, complex trauma, or effects of past abuse. Compare therapists by their therapy approaches, experience with specific types of trauma, population focus (e.g., adults, veterans, LGBTQ+), and practical details like session format and communication style. A California licence covers the whole state, so being inside California is not a barrier to working with any therapist listed here. Use the profiles to find a clinician whose methods and focus match your needs.

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  1. 1. Lynda Green Alter, LMFT

    25 years in practice · English · Female

    California LMFT specializing in relationships and trauma

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Parenting · Depression

    Continue with Lynda Online sessions

  2. 2. William Money, LMFT

    8 years in practice · English · Male

    Strengths-based therapy for stress and relationships

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Self esteem · Depression

    Continue with William Online sessions

  3. 3. Katherine Eldean, LMFT

    20 years in practice · English · Female

    Katherine Eldean, California LMFT focused on relationships and stress

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Depression

    Approaches Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) · Attachment-Based Therapy · Client-Centered Therapy

    Continue with Katherine Online sessions

  4. 4. Alexander Schwarz, LMFT

    10 years in practice · English · Male

    California LMFT helping people navigate stress and relationships

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Depression · Coping with life changes

    Continue with Alexander Online sessions

  5. 5. Deana Porter, LMFT

    29 years in practice · English · Female

    California LMFT for relationships and families

    Works with Relationship · Family · Trauma and abuse · Intimacy-related issues · Self esteem

    Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) · Gottman Method

    Continue with Deana Online sessions

  6. 6. Patricia Riley, LCSW

    20 years in practice · English · Female

    California LCSW supporting relationships and life changes

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Family · Parenting · Depression

    Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Motivational Interviewing

    Continue with Patricia Online sessions

  7. 7. Mary Ann Godefroy, LPCC, LPC

    14 years in practice · English · Female

    Support for change, coping, and growth

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Relationship · Depression · Coping with life changes

    Approaches Attachment-Based Therapy · Client-Centered Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    Continue with Mary Online sessions

  8. 8. Dr. Monica Kelson, CA Psychologist

    33 years in practice · English · Female

    Experienced California psychologist for stress and trauma

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Trauma and abuse · Self esteem · Depression · Grief

    Approaches Attachment-Based Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    Continue with Dr. Online sessions

  9. 9. Ginger Little, LMFT

    35 years in practice · English · Female

    California LMFT specializing in men's issues

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Intimacy-related issues

    Continue with Ginger Online sessions

  10. 10. Lynn Vinson, LCSW

    10 years in practice · English · Female

    Experienced LCSW for adult mental health

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Grief · Self esteem · Depression

    Approaches Client-Centered Therapy · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    Continue with Lynn Online sessions

  11. 11. Sandra West, LMFT

    25 years in practice · English · Female

    California LMFT with 25 years experience

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Trauma and abuse · Grief · Self esteem · Coping with life changes

    Approaches Solution-Focused Therapy

    Continue with Sandra Online sessions

  12. 12. Dorothy O'Neill, LMFT

    13 years in practice · English · Female

    Dorothy O'Neill, LMFT - Relationship and trauma therapist

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Family · Trauma and abuse · Depression

    Continue with Dorothy Online sessions

  13. 13. Robyn Peace, LCSW

    11 years in practice · English · Female

    LCSW specializing in trauma and parenting

    Works with Trauma and abuse · Parenting

    Continue with Robyn Online sessions

  14. 14. Deborah Perez, LMFT

    7 years in practice · English · Female

    Compassionate California LMFT for stress and relationships

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Addictions · Self esteem · Depression · ADHD

    Approaches Client-Centered Therapy

    Continue with Deborah Online sessions

  15. 15. Carol Wood, LMFT

    29 years in practice · English · Female

    LMFT providing relationship and trauma support

    Works with Stress, Anxiety · Relationship · Family · Intimacy-related issues · Self esteem

    Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) · Mindfulness Therapy

    Continue with Carol Online sessions

About trauma therapy in California

Everyone listed on this page holds a licence to practise in California and works online. That matters more than it sounds: a licence is issued by the state, not by a city, so a therapist is available to anyone in California regardless of how far away they are. Someone outside a major metro can work with a therapist whose books would otherwise be out of reach.

1,496 therapists match this page, all of whom name trauma among the areas they work with. Fifteen are shown above. The list changes between pages, so it is worth looking at more than one if none of these feels like a fit.

What to compare

  • Credential. LMFT, LCSW and LPCC are different training routes to the same licensed practice. None outranks the others; they shape emphasis rather than quality.
  • Years in practice. Shown for every therapist here. More experience is not automatically better, but it is a fair proxy for how much of a given problem someone has seen.
  • What else they work with. A therapist whose other focus areas overlap with your situation is usually a better starting point than one whose listed areas stop at the single thing you searched for.
  • Approach. CBT, psychodynamic, solution-focused and the rest describe how sessions tend to run. If you have tried therapy before and it did not suit you, changing approach is often more useful than changing therapist.
  • Language. Shown where a therapist offers sessions in more than English.

How online sessions work

Sessions run by video or by messaging, arranged through our partner platform rather than booked directly with the therapist. There is no travel and no waiting room, which for most people is the difference between starting and not starting. Pricing is set by the platform and shown before you commit.

Common questions

How do I tell if a therapist has experience with the kind of trauma I want to treat?

Look for mentions of specific trauma types in the therapist’s profile, such as childhood abuse, combat trauma, sexual assault, or medical trauma. Check stated therapy modalities (e.g., EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, somatic therapy) and any notes on populations served. If unclear, contact the therapist to ask directly about their experience with your specific trauma and typical approaches.

What therapy approaches are commonly used for trauma and how should that influence my choice?

Common approaches include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, prolonged exposure, somatic experiencing, and internal family systems. Each targets trauma differently—some focus on memories and beliefs, others on bodily responses. Choose a therapist who lists approaches you’ve researched or ask them how they match methods to symptoms and pace treatment based on your needs and comfort level.

Should I be concerned about safety and crisis support when working with a trauma therapist online?

Ask therapists about their protocols for managing safety concerns and crises during online sessions, including how they handle urgent situations, local emergency contacts, and steps they take if a session becomes destabilizing. Make sure you understand what support is available between sessions and whether the therapist coordinates care with local resources in your area.

Trauma therapists by city

Other focus areas