Trauma Therapy

Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul in the Aftermath of Trauma

You’re standing in line at a quaint Hermosa Beach coffee shop, eagerly anticipating your morning pick-me-up. Fully immersed in the moment, soaking in the sights and sounds of this charming beach town. The sun is out, the birds are singing, and everything seems to be going well. Unexpectedly, a sudden jolt of noise grabs your attention. It momentarily shifts your focus, bringing to mind a challenging event from your past. You sense a familiar tightness in your chest, your heart quickens, and your palms start to feel moist.

Traumatic events have a way of sneaking up on us, even in the most idyllic moments. They leave footprints on our mind, body, and soul that can be difficult to heal. If you will, wounds that haven’t properly or completely been processed or healed. But what exactly is trauma? Is it just an inventory of experiences, or is it about our response to those experiences? The truth is, it’s a little bit of both. Traumatic events can encompass a wide range of distressing experiences that leave a lasting impact on individuals. At their core, these events create wounds that not only affect us physically, but also shape our reactions and coping mechanisms.

What Causes Trauma?

Much to the surprise of many, trauma isn’t just about the event itself. It’s also about how our mind and body responded to it, both in the moment and afterward. Something as seemingly small as a betrayal of trust or an ongoing stressor can be just as traumatic as a physical accident or sudden loss. These experiences can then leave a wound that can continue to affect us long after the actual event has passed.

But why do some people seem to bounce back from difficult experiences, while others struggle with the aftermath? It all comes down to our individual capacity and support systems. Similar to the ebb and flow of the ocean, each of us starts from a unique place, shaped by our experiences, biology, and generational wounds. Just as a skilled sailor maneuvers through turbulent waters, we can find strength in nurturing connections and effective coping strategies, serving as protective buoys in the face of life’s challenges.

Working with a holistic therapist who is trauma-informed can support you getting to a state of stability, while providing tools to help you connect with your mind and body. By creating an emotional safe space, we can explore and process the wounds that may have been lingering unaddressed for years.

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma

Trauma can leave a lasting impact on your self-image. It can make you question your worth, value, and sense of belonging in the world. You may find yourself constantly seeking validation from others or feeling like you don’t deserve love and happiness. But the truth is, you are worthy and deserving of all the good things in life. In therapy, we can work on reconnecting with your authentic self and rebuilding your self-esteem.

If you’re someone who constantly puts the needs of others before your own, it may be rooted in a history of trauma. Perhaps, you’ve learned over time that prioritizing others’ needs was necessary for survival or maintaining relationships. But now, this behavior may leave you feeling drained and unfulfilled. I will provide you with an emotionally safe space to prioritize your own needs and learn how to set healthy boundaries.

In the aftermath of trauma, it’s common to feel like everything is out of your control. To cope with this uncertainty, you may turn to perfectionism and strict control over all aspects of your life. This can lead to burnout and a constant feeling of not being good enough. In therapy, you can reconnect your body to your memories and learn to feel safe enough to trust yourself and others. We can also work on finding a healthy balance between control and surrender.

Your nervous system is always scanning for cues of safety or danger. Traumatic events can lead your body to encode neutral cues as dangerous, causing you to avoid situations that may trigger distressing memories and emotions. But avoidance and numbing these feelings only offers temporary relief and can often lead to more intense reactions in the future. In therapy, our focus will be on discovering methods to soothe your nervous system and establish a secure environment for you to process and find release from the trauma.

Trauma alters parts of our brain that regulate emotions, leading to difficulty in managing and expressing our feelings. You may find yourself feeling as if all your emotions are trying to surface at once. Or you may feel completely numb and disconnected from your emotions. In therapy, we will reconnect your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations to better understand and process your emotions in a healthy way.

My Approach to Healing from Trauma

When choosing a trauma-informed, holistic approach to therapy, it not only addresses the mind but also the body and spirit. This means that we will work to bring awareness to your mind and body’s responses, honor all aspects of yourself, and empower you in the healing process. My goal is not to fix you, but rather to support and guide you on your journey towards healing.

This means therapy looks differently than usual talk therapy. Your body is a home for your trauma, and we will work to create a safe space for it. We may incorporate holistic and somatic approaches which support you in understanding and befriending your body’s response to trauma. By focusing on the body first, you can begin healing from a place of safety and connection.

You may be thinking, “But isn’t therapy just about talking through my problems?” While talk therapy can be supportive, it doesn’t always address the root of our problems, which often lie in our bodies. By incorporating body-based practices and a somatic approach, we can access and process the trauma stored in your body and work towards finding a sense of calm and regulation in your nervous system.

You will be able to understand the “why” behind your nervous system responses and how to compassionately communicate with it. By learning how to release and regulate your response, you can find space for growth and healing. Allowing your body to process and release this trauma can lead to a more authentic, fulfilling life.

I am a holistic therapist in Hermosa Beach, CA that believes that by knowing yourself on a deeper level, you can heal from the inside out. You may heal your trauma by changing the relationship you have with your story and yourself. This may include mind-body practices like mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, and yoga. By taking a holistic approach to therapy, I believe that you can find balance and connection in all aspects of your life.

Gain the Tools To Help You Nurture Your Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Trauma is not just an event or a memory. It is a wound that affects your entire being. So, it’s no wonder that healing from trauma requires a multifaceted approach. Healing is not linear but, just like the ocean in Hermosa Beach, it comes in waves. Before exploring deeper, we must first create a safe space for you to process and connect with your mind and body. Only then can we dive into the underlying wounds and help them heal.

Incorporating holistic approaches such as mind-body practices combined with brainspotting, self-compassion, IFS-parts work, we can work towards reconnecting with your body and finding inner peace. I focus on offering practical tools and techniques, cognitive and otherwise, to help you manage your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. We will definitely do that, but we may also sit through the discomfort, allowing you to include relevant information from both within and around you. I want you to know that the tools and techniques I share are often ones that I personally use or have used in my own life. I wholeheartedly believe in their power to facilitate healing, and I am excited to share them with you. So you can use them in and outside of your therapy sessions, empowering you to take control of your own healing journey.

I hold multiple certifications in the field of therapy. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I am also a Certified Holistic Therapist. This includes being a Certified Trauma-Informed Therapist, Certified Breathwork Facilitator, Certified Sound Healer, and Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT 300). By integrating different healing approaches, we can address the emotional impact of trauma and experience profound transformation and personal growth. Engage in mind-body practices and explore the healing power of vibration and frequency to foster inner healing from trauma. These elements create a nurturing and empowering environment for the journey of trauma recovery.

What to Expect When Working with Me

This gentle approach ensures that individuals healing from trauma don’t have to continuously relive the distressing event. Instead, in a gradual and supportive manner, the process provides an opportunity to address, complete, and resolve the body’s instinctual fight, flight, or freeze responses that may be trapped within. Leveraging your body’s inherent healing capacity facilitates a shift from a feeling of paralyzed hopelessness or numbness to one of empowerment and mastery. Through resetting the nervous system, individuals often rediscover a sense of being “alive again,” enabling them to re-engage in daily life and relationships with strength and vitality. In a typical session with Marilyn Ashley, LMFT you can expect that she will:

  • Assist you in tuning into your body's "felt-sense" experience, understanding it through physical sensations, imagery, and movement.
  • Help you identify and expand your internal and external resources, creating a foundation for the healing connection between your mind and body.
  • Work together to establish a stable and grounded state, providing a secure base for your therapeutic journey.
  • Gradually explore past traumas from this grounded state, guiding your nervous system back to a healthy balance.
  • Focus on the present moment, emphasizing sensations and body memories, utilizing current resources for healing.
  • Foster trust in your body's wisdom, transforming trauma from overwhelming to empowering, marking a journey towards resilience and self-determination.

Holistic Trauma Therapy Can Help If You:

  • Have a history of childhood trauma encompassing physical, sexual, verbal abuse, or emotional neglect.
  • Have difficulty trusting people and letting your guard down.
  • Experience flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive negative thoughts about the past, leading to avoidance of people, situations, or triggers associated with traumatic events.
  • Feel emotionally numb or detached from others, facing challenges in connecting with intense emotions.
  • Struggle with safely feeling these intense emotions, with concerns about feeling "too much."
  • Experience feelings of unworthiness, guilt, shame, self worth, sense of self and self-esteem issues

Heal Your Mind, Body, and Spirit With Trauma Therapy in Hermosa Beach, CA

My goal is for you to experience true healing on a deeper level – one that encompasses your mind, body, and spirit. Trauma can have a lasting impact, but it doesn’t have to define your life. Through trauma-informed therapy and holistic approaches, we can work together to process and integrate your experiences, build resilience, and create a fulfilling life beyond trauma. If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing, let’s connect. I’m Marilyn Ashley, a holistic therapist based in Hermosa Beach, CA. I strive to help you find peace and healing in the midst of trauma. If you’re ready to take the first step:

Schedule Your 20-Minute Complimentary Phone Consultation

Learn More About Me and My Services

Heal Your Mind, Body, and Spirit With Trauma-Informed Therapy

Other Services Offered By Marilyn Ashley, LMFT

Trauma Therapy is just one of the many services I offer. You might want to explore my other specialties as well. I specialize in relationship dynamics, Anxiety, and Couples Therapy, and more. I offer in-person sessions at my peaceful office located in the picturesque Hermosa Beach. Many clients appreciate the serene and grounding atmosphere it provides. For those who prefer online sessions, I also offer virtual therapy sessions. By incorporating holistic practices into your everyday routine, you can elevate your overall sense of well-being. Let’s work together to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Holistic Trauma Therapy

Holistic trauma therapy integrates traditional counseling techniques with somatic approaches and mindfulness practices to address trauma on a deeper level – mind, body, and spirit. At Marilyn Ashley LMFT, we believe in treating the whole person, recognizing that trauma impacts not only our thoughts and emotions but also our physical sensations and energetic flow. Through holistic trauma therapy, we aim to help you reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom, release stored tension and trauma, and cultivate a sense of wholeness and vitality.

If you’ve been struggling with the effects of trauma and traditional talk therapy hasn’t provided the relief you’re seeking, holistic trauma therapy could be a beneficial next step for you. Symptoms of unresolved trauma often manifest not only as emotional distress but also as physical discomfort, tension, and dysregulation in the nervous system. By addressing trauma through a holistic lens, we can help you tap into your body’s innate healing capacity and restore balance to your mind-body-spirit system.

During your sessions with Marilyn Ashley LMFT, you can expect to explore a variety of holistic and somatic approaches designed to promote healing and integration. These may include mindfulness meditation, breathwork, body awareness exercises, gentle movement practices, and somatic techniques. By reconnecting with your body and learning to listen to its messages, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how trauma has impacted you and develop skills to support your ongoing healing journey.

The duration of holistic trauma therapy varies depending on your individual needs, goals, and the complexity of your trauma history. While some clients may experience significant progress in a relatively short amount of time, others may require longer-term support to fully integrate their healing. Another option includes Therapy Intensives Rest assured, Marilyn Ashley LMFT is committed to supporting you for as long as you need, and we’ll work together to create a treatment plan that honors your unique healing timeline.

Yes, holistic trauma therapy can be highly effective for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Our approach emphasizes gentle, age-appropriate techniques such as play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness exercises to help young clients process their experiences and regulate their emotions. We also work closely with parents and caregivers to provide support and guidance in fostering a nurturing and healing environment for their children. Whether your child has experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing adversity, holistic trauma therapy offers a compassionate and holistic approach to healing and growth.

Yes, absolutely. Holistic trauma therapy recognizes that trauma can manifest not only as emotional distress but also as physical symptoms and health issues. By addressing the root causes of trauma and restoring balance to the mind-body-spirit connection, we can often alleviate or reduce symptoms such as chronic pain, insomnia, digestive problems, and other somatic complaints. Through other holistic techniques such as acupuncture, functional nutrition, naturopathic medicine, integrative psychiatryand yoga therapywe aim to support your overall well-being and promote healing on all levels by offering qualified referrals as needed.

Holistic trauma therapy acknowledges that trauma can profoundly impact our sense of self, purpose, and connection to something greater than ourselves. Through practices such as meditation, breathwork, and guided imagery, we create space for you to explore existential questions, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and cultivate a sense of meaning and purpose in your life. By integrating spiritual and existential dimensions into the healing process, we can help you find deeper meaning, resilience, and inner peace in the face of trauma.