Trauma Therapy in Hermosa Beach

Beach Cities Psychotherapy
Serving the South Bay Communities of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Palos Verdes and surrounding Beach Cities.

Healing from trauma requires a safe space with trauma-informed therapists.

You don’t have to keep carrying what happened to you.

At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, we help adults, teens, and high-functioning professionals in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay heal from trauma and finally feel like themselves again.

Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or emotional numbness, our trauma-informed therapists work with you to create real, lasting change—not just talk in circles.

👉 Ready to start feeling better? Schedule your first session today

The symptoms of trauma can be overwhelming.  While trauma symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and increased startle response, they can also include negative beliefs about ourselves or the world around us, anxiety, depression, fears, sadness, and confusion. 

It is critical to work with a trauma-informed therapist who understands how to work with trauma and not re-traumatize.  All of our therapists are trauma-informed and trained in an evidence-based modality used to treat trauma such as TF-CBT and EMDR.  

We appreciate how much courage it takes to talk about trauma with a therapist. Regardless of the nature of the trauma, we do not take it lightly. 

Sometimes, the journey towards healing trauma is a step toward healing intergenerational trauma too.   The impact of trauma can be profound — the impact of healing trauma can be equally profound.  

Trauma therapy at Beach Cities Psychotherapy uses a cognitive-behavioral approach tailored to your individual needs. Sessions are goal-oriented and solution-focused — you won’t just talk about the past, you’ll build real tools to move forward. 

 

If you resonate with any of the following experiences, trauma therapy could be the right choice for you:

Experiencing flashbacks or intrusive memories that disrupt daily life.

Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of past traumatic events.

Having difficulty trusting others or maintaining close relationships.

Struggling with feelings of numbness or disconnection from yourself or others.

Feeling not good enough or not safe in present situations when intellectually, you know that you are.

Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue without medical cause.

Trauma Therapy That Goes Deeper Than Talk

At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, we use evidence-based trauma treatments designed to help you heal at the root—not just manage symptoms.

Our Trauma Therapy Approaches Include:

  • EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
    → Helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming
    → Learn more: [EMDR Therapy Services]
  • TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
    → Especially effective for teens and younger clients
  • Integrative Therapy (CBT, DBT, IFS, EFT)
    → Personalized care based on your needs and goals

All of our therapists are trauma-informed and trained to avoid re-traumatization, creating a safe and structured path toward healing.

Not Your Typical “Nod and Listen” Therapy

If you’ve tried therapy before and felt stuck, you’re not alone.

Many of our clients come to us because:

  • Therapy felt surface-level
  • They didn’t see real change
  • They want something more direct and effective

We take a hands-on, active approach—asking the hard questions, helping you break patterns, and guiding you toward meaningful change.

Start Trauma Therapy in Hermosa Beach Today

Healing from trauma requires courage and support. At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, we are committed to supporting you on your journey towards healing and renewed hope.

Why Beach Cities Psychotherapy?

Are you looking for a therapist who lights pretty candles, smiles and nods while you talk about the same problems week after week?  If you are, please go somewhere else. This is not what we do at Beach Cities Psychotherapy.

At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, we ask the challenging questions and get in the trenches with you.  Sometimes trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or identity issues get in our way.  You may feel empty, broken or even worthless when other people may think you have it all.  We help you make the shifts you need to live the life you want and feel able to appreciate it. Our goal at Beach Cities Psychotherapy is to cultivate change and healing by asking you the hard questions, addressing the areas where you are stuck, and confronting pain with treatment and healing.

We are direct, hands-on and we value humor above candles. Our therapists are not scared of your pain, your fear, your struggles. We will delve beneath the surface when you are ready.

We value your mental health, your time and your resources too much to talk about the same problems in the same ways that you always have.  We want to help you heal and find the clarity you need in your life.  Often people come to Beach Cities Psychotherapy when they feel like other therapists have skimmed the surface and they need more.

Meet Your Therapists:

Eva Teitelbaum, AMFT

Eva Teitelbaum is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who provides therapy through a compassionate, trauma-informed, and person-centered lens. She believes healing begins with being truly seen and understood, and she meets each client exactly where they are on their journey.

Eva is EMDR-trained and draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches to meet each client’s unique needs.

Read her full bio here.

Julia Callas, AMFT

For teens who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or big emotions—and for couples who want to build a strong foundation before marriage—Julia Callas is steady, warm, and practical. Julia helps clients feel understood while also offering clear tools and structure to create real change.

Julia takes a person-centered approach and integrates tools from CBT, DBT, IFS (parts work), Bowen Family Systems, and EFT, tailoring therapy to each client’s goals and personality. She is also EMDR trained and trauma-informed.

Julia is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Hope International University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach.

Read her full bio here.

Shannon Meena, ACSW

For people struggling with ruminating thoughts or who feel trapped by their anxiety, Shannon Meena is a lifeline. Shannon’s CBT skill set gives her the ability to offer tools to transform anxiety and her empathic approach and ability to connect to clients is her superpower.

Shannon creates a safe space where clients can explore their feelings, learn effective communication skills, and strengthen their self-esteem.

In addition to working with anxiety and life transitions, Shannon is also experienced working with depression and has training TF-CBT to help teens and pre-teens with issues relating to trauma. She works with adults and also has a unique ability to connect with pre-teens and teenagers.

Read her full bio here.

We Offer Walk and Talk Therapy

Our location offers us a unique opportunity to bring clients to the beach in Hermosa for sessions by the ocean when clients request it.  Walking during therapy creates an alternating rhythm of our steps on the pavement and stimulates alternating sides of our brain which facilitates processing. Fresh air and nature are also helpful to healing.  Moving when we feel stuck can also help us to move through life’s obstacles and create a tangible, very real momentum that is both literal and metaphorical.

While our therapists also work with clients in the office, Walk & Talk sessions are beneficial for clients who don’t want to sit on a sofa for an hour. It’s okay to alternate between Walk and Talk sessions and in-office sessions. Our therapists understand that not every day feels like a good day for a walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which payment methods are accepted?

Payments can be made with cash, check, credit card, or Zelle.

What is the cost of psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy fees vary depending on which therapist you select to work with as well as which service you are seeking. Feel free to contact us to discuss the exact fee.

Are psychotherapy fees covered by health insurance?

We are not in-network with any insurance companies.  If you have a PPO plan or a plan with out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for services.  This means that you will be responsible to pay for our services up-front and then we provide you with forms to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

You can check your specific mental health benefits with your health insurance and ask the following questions:

  • Do I have benefits for outpatient psychotherapy services with an out-of-network provider?
  • Do I have a deductible and has it been met? If my deductible has not been met, what deductible needs to be met for insurance to reimburse?
  • What will insurance reimburse after that deductible has been met and what do I need to do or provide in order to get reimbursed?
  • How many psychotherapy sessions will be covered per year?

We Make Getting Started Easy

Step 1. Reach Out

Step 2. Schedule Your First Session

Step 3. Feel Like You Again