HEAL TRAUMA WITHOUT HAVING TO RELIVE IT FOREVER
Therapy for Trauma & PTSD in Sierra Madre, CA
Services available virtually throughout California & Utah
Trauma doesn’t just live in the past. It shows up in your body, your relationships, and the way you move through the world now.
You might feel constantly on edge, stuck in cycles of guilt or self-doubt, or disconnected from yourself and others even when things seem “fine” on the outside. Maybe you’ve tried to move on, think differently, or push through — but your nervous system hasn’t caught up yet.
Trauma therapy offers a way to gently work with what your body and mind are holding onto, so you can feel safer, more grounded, and more at home in yourself. Healing isn’t about forcing yourself to get over what happened. It’s about creating enough safety to finally let your system rest, process, and begin to trust again.
Trauma looks different for everyone, but many people come to therapy not because of a single moment, but because of how their nervous system learned to survive over time. If you’re wondering whether trauma therapy could help, you might recognize yourself in some of the experiences below.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You might benefit from trauma therapy if…
⟡ Your body stays on alert because it learned to protect you, even when you know you’re safe now.
⟡ Shame or guilt shapes your decisions, boundaries, or sense of self.
⟡ You disconnect, numb out, or hide parts of yourself to feel safe.
⟡ Old memories, emotions, or body reactions intrude on the present.
⟡ You’ve learned how to cope and function, but not how to truly feel safe.
⟡ You want more than tools—you want to understand and change these patterns at the root.
In our work together, we focus on understanding and gently shifting these patterns at a pace that respects your body, without pushing you to relive what you’ve already survived.
Trauma Therapy in Sierra Madre, CA can help!
What if you could go from:
⟡ Feeling constantly on edge → Feeling more settled and able to stay present in your body
⟡ Second-guessing yourself or carrying quiet shame → Trusting your needs and reactions
⟡ Numbing out or shutting down → Staying connected, even when things feel hard
⟡ Getting pulled into old reactions → Responding with more choice in the present
Step 1.
We start by creating a steady, non-judgmental space where your body doesn’t have to brace or perform.
Step 2.
Together, we explore how past experiences shaped your reactions at a nervous-system level, so what’s happening now makes sense.
Step 3.
At your pace, we work to help your nervous system respond differently, so you can move through life with more ease and choice.
MEET YOUR SIERRA MADRE TRAUMA THERAPIST
STEPHANIE HARIMOTO, LMFT
Hi, I’m Stephanie, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who helps adults heal from the lasting impacts of trauma. Whether it’s from family wounds, religious harm, or the weight of trying to be “good enough” for everyone else, you deserve support and healing.
I’ve spent the past several years supporting people who feel stuck in old patterns, disconnected from their own needs, and unsure how to move forward.
Here’s why I’m passionate about this work: I know how trauma can leave you feeling like you’re always bracing for the next hit, always questioning if you’re too much or not enough. I believe you deserve to feel safe in your body, free from shame, and empowered to live a life that feels like yours. I’m here to help you get there.
GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED
Frequently Asked Questions:
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A trauma-informed approach is a way of working that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma. Whether you’re experienced religious harm, family dynamics, high-control environments, or identity-based oppression, we work to center safety, trust, and empowerment in the healing process. It’s about understanding that trauma shows up in both the body and mind, and that people’s behaviors are often protective strategies, not flaws.
In a trauma-informed space, we move at your pace, respecting your autonomy and boundaries. We explore the ways trauma has shaped your self-perception, relationships, and nervous system. We hold curiosity, not judgment, as we navigate what feels safe for you.
Ultimately, it’s an approach that invites you to come back to yourself. This is done without pressure, shame, or the need to perform. It’s about creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported as you untangle old patterns, reconnect with your intuition, and build a life that feels authentic and self-led.
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You might not always know, but you feel it. You feel it in the exhaustion that won’t go away, in the weight of shame you can’t shake, in the way your body tenses up when you should feel safe.
Maybe you find yourself overthinking every decision, avoiding conflict at all costs, or numbing out because it feels too much to face. Maybe you’re tired of carrying the stories you’ve been told.
Trauma therapy is for you if you’re ready to stop surviving on autopilot and start living in a way that feels like you. It’s for you if you’re curious about what life could look like beyond the cycles of fear, guilt, and self-doubt.
If you’re asking this question, you’re already on the path, and therapy can help you walk it with more support, safety, and self-trust.
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Not at all. Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you, but also about what happened inside of you in response. It’s about how your nervous system adapted to stay safe. Whether it was a major event or years of subtle, ongoing harm, your experiences matter. You deserve support.
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My fee for services is $225 per 50-minute session. I have a limited amount of sliding scale slots that will be prioritized for BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ clients. There is no guarantee that any of these will be available at the time you call. Please let me know if you need sliding scale fees during our call. If I cannot accommodate, I am happy to point you in a direction to meet your financial needs.
*If you are a Utah resident, please reach out to me regarding therapy rates!
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I am currently considered to be an out of network mental health provider.
I am happy to provide you a superbill each month to give to your insurance. Please check with your insurance about your out of network mental health benefits - many of my clients are able to get reimbursement from their insurance.
Why you should consider working with an “out of network” therapist:
No limitations on sessions. We can meet for as long as you need without having to worry if insurance will cut us off, or end coverage, which could abruptly end your care.
Allows me to offer you more flexible, personalized, and intentional care.
Helps me keep your information completely confidential, without needing to share diagnosis or notes with insurance companies.
Allows us to avoid surprise billing issues, which can lead to lapses in treatment.
Lets us focus on what’s best for you, not what insurance says is best for you!
NEED SOMETHING ELSE?
Other Services
THERAPY FOR RELIGIOUS TRAUMA
For anyone who’s felt the weight of religious expectations, shame, or fear, and is ready to untangle their beliefs and reconnect with their own inner wisdom.
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⟡ Process religious trauma and spiritual abuse
⟡ Support in redefining values and identity beyond harmful doctrine
⟡ Tools for setting boundaries and rebuilding trust in yourself
⟡ Compassionate, non-judgmental guidance at your pace
ANXIETY TREATMENT
For those who feel stuck in their head, overwhelmed by “what ifs,” or like they can’t ever fully relax. It’s time to take a breath and find steadiness.
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⟡ Techniques to calm your nervous system and reduce overwhelm
⟡ Support in understanding your anxiety’s roots and patterns
⟡ Tools for building self-trust and confidence
⟡ A warm, collaborative space to slow down and breathe
LGBTQIA+ THERAPY
For LGBTQIA+ folks who are tired of feeling like they have to explain themselves or justify their experiences. Here, you don’t have to. Your story is honored, and your identity is valid.
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⟡ A safe space to explore your identity without judgment
⟡ Support navigating family, cultural, or religious pressures
⟡ Affirming care that centers your unique lived experiences
⟡ Tools for managing anxiety, shame, and relational dynamics
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy services are grounded in the belief that your mind and body hold the wisdom to heal. I’m here to guide you in processing painful memories, calming your nervous system, and building self-trust along the way. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you can reconnect with your sense of strength, clarity, and resilience.
READY TO START?
Let’s do it!
You’ve carried the weight for long enough. Let’s work together to help you find relief, safety, and self-compassion. Reach out to schedule a free consultation. Your healing is possible.