Trauma Therapy Online and In-Person in San Diego for the Lasting Effects of Trauma
You may already understand that trauma shapes how you think, feel, and relate. What’s frustrating is that knowing this hasn’t stopped your body from reacting.
Trauma therapy is not about revisiting everything that happened or forcing emotional release. It’s about helping your nervous system feel safe enough to change — so your reactions soften, your inner world makes sense, and life feels more livable.
I provide trauma therapy at my San Diego office in Mission Valley, as well as online for clients across multiple states.
Trauma therapy in San Diego offers the benefit of a dedicated, regulated space designed specifically for trauma work — a place where your nervous system can begin to associate therapy with safety and groundedness. In-person sessions can be especially valuable during stabilization phases or when somatic work benefits from direct presence.
Online trauma therapy provides flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to engage in healing work from an environment where you already feel comfortable. Many trauma-informed clients find that online sessions reduce the nervous system activation that can come with travel and transitions.
Both formats follow the same trauma-informed, integrative approach. Whether in person in San Diego or online, the focus remains on regulation, pacing, and helping your system feel safe enough to change.
What Trauma Can Look Like in Daily Life
Trauma doesn’t always show up as clear memories.
Often, it lives in patterns you didn’t consciously choose.
You might notice:
Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the moment
Sudden shame, collapse, or self-criticism
Feeling constantly on guard or emotionally exhausted
Difficulty resting, sleeping, or relaxing your body
Pulling away from closeness — or panicking when it’s threatened
A sense that something is “off,” even when life looks okay
These responses are not signs that something is wrong with you. They are learned survival adaptations — and they can change.
How Trauma Therapy Helps…
Trauma therapy focuses on regulation first, not intensity.
Rather than pushing you to relive the past, our work centers on:
Helping your nervous system settle and stabilize
Understanding emotional and bodily reactions without judgment
Reducing shame around trauma responses
Creating a felt sense of safety in the present
Building capacity for connection, rest, and emotional flexibility
Over time, many clients experience fewer emotional spikes, more clarity, and a stronger sense of inner steadiness.
About Richard
I'm Richard Brouillette, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with basic training in EMDR and over 15 years of experience working with complex trauma. I also hold an Advanced Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation from the ISST-D, which shapes how I pace EMDR for clients whose trauma developed over time. My role is to provide a steady, informed presence so processing can happen safely. Clients often tell me they feel calm and understood in our work together — not rushed or pushed to perform healing. My approach blends emotional attunement with clear explanation, so what once felt overwhelming begins to make sense.
My Approach to Trauma Therapy
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and integrative.
I draw from evidence-based trauma therapies — including EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), schema-informed work, and somatic approaches — always guided by what helps your system feel safest and most supported.
You can expect…
Clear explanations of what’s happening and why
Regulation skills to support your nervous system
A steady, regulated therapeutic presence
Work that respects pacing and consent
Trauma therapy works best when you feel understood, not pushed.
Trauma Therapy for Complex Trauma & CPTSD
Many people I work with identify with complex trauma (CPTSD) — often rooted in long-term emotional neglect, relational wounds, or early instability rather than one single event.
Trauma therapy for CPTSD supports:
Emotional regulation
Reducing chronic shame and self-blame
Softening inner criticism
Healing attachment patterns
Feeling safer in relationships and in your body
This work is gradual, compassionate, and deeply respectful of your resilience.
Online Trauma Therapy
I offer online trauma therapy for clients who want flexible, accessible support from a space that already feels familiar.
Many trauma-aware clients find online therapy especially helpful — allowing their nervous system to relax more easily and integrate change at a sustainable pace.
Online sessions are available to clients in states where I am licensed.
Who Trauma Therapy Is For
Trauma therapy may be a good fit if you:
Know trauma plays a role in your life
Feel emotionally reactive, numb, or exhausted
Have tried therapy before and want something deeper or steadier
Want clarity without being rushed or overwhelmed
Are looking for a certified trauma therapist who can hold emotional intensity calmly
You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin.
Trauma Therapy Online - FAQs
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Trauma therapy helps you understand and gently change the nervous system patterns that developed in response to overwhelming or unsafe experiences. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, trauma therapy supports regulation, emotional safety, and clarity so your reactions gradually soften and make more sense.
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No. You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy. Many people come in because they feel emotionally reactive, disconnected, anxious, or exhausted — even if they’re not sure how trauma fits into their story yet.
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Yes. Many clients I work with are insightful and trauma-aware but find that understanding alone hasn’t changed how their body reacts. Trauma therapy focuses on helping your nervous system catch up to what you already know, so change becomes felt, not just understood.
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No. Trauma therapy does not require retelling or reliving painful experiences. We move at a pace that feels safe and focus on what’s happening in the present, building regulation and stability before exploring anything deeper.
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I use EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) as part of an integrative, trauma-informed approach. These methods can help process stuck experiences, reduce emotional intensity, and build compassion for different parts of yourself — always guided by consent and readiness.
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Yes. Research shows that online trauma therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. Many clients find that working from their own space helps their nervous system feel safer and more relaxed, which can support the healing process.
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Trauma therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Some clients notice changes within a few months, while others choose longer-term work. The focus is not speed, but sustainable change that respects your nervous system and life circumstances.
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We start with a free 20-minute consultation, where you can ask questions and get a sense of how I work. This conversation is about fit, not commitment. If it feels supportive and aligned, we can discuss next steps.
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That’s completely okay. Feeling unsure is common, especially for people with trauma. You don’t need certainty to reach out — just curiosity and a sense that something could be different.
Next Steps
Healing doesn’t require forcing yourself forward.
It starts with finding support that feels safe enough to trust.
We can begin with a free 20-minute consultation to see if working together feels like a good fit.