Trauma Therapy Near Me
Californians: Process Old Wounds and Feel Better in the Present
Trauma therapy in California helps you put the past where it belongs: in the past. You can process that pain and live more fully in the present moment. You can feel relaxed and safe in your body again. Contact me for a complimentary phone consultation.
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Trauma Leaves Us Feeling Stuck and Rudderless
Trauma can leave lasting imprints on both the mind and body, making it hard to feel grounded or in control. Even when the painful event is long behind us, its effects can linger in daily life:
We might replay painful memories, and they still feel vivid and overwhelming
Everyday stressors feel heavier, leaving us anxious, exhausted, or easily triggered
Those with trauma may struggle to trust others or form close, healthy relationships, even with family
Emotional numbness or detachment makes it hard to feel connected to oneself or others
Shame, guilt, or self-doubt creep in, even when one has done nothing wrong.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, I’m here for you. Trauma therapy helps you process the past safely so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Online Trauma Therapy Helps You Heal Old Wounds and Feel Much Better
Healing from trauma doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means loosening its grip on your present life. Online trauma therapy offers a safe, supportive space to process painful experiences while giving you tools to regulate your emotions and reconnect with yourself.
Trauma therapy can help you:
Process traumatic memories in a gentle, structured, and safe way
Develop emotional regulation skills to manage triggers and stress with confidence
Release patterns of fear, shame, or self-doubt that have been holding you back
Build healthier relationships by learning to trust yourself and others again
Calm your nervous system so you can feel more grounded day to day
Heal intergenerational family trauma and show up as your most authentic self
With consistent support, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by the past to living with more clarity, connection, and peace in the present.
How Trauma Therapy Helps You Feel Better
The process of trauma therapy is tailored to you. You’re a unique individual with unique experiences. So we start by identifying some goals and moving at a pace you’re comfortable with.
Once we identify your goals, I help you establish a feeling of safety in your body. This can come from a calming visualization or meditation. We anchor you there so you stay calm while revisiting old wounds.
Once you’re ready, we begin looking at the memory and associated feelings. I may guide you through eye movements or talk about different aspects.
Over the sessions, you can experience a loosening of the grip that the memory has on you. And start to enjoy the present moment more fully.
Therapy Modalities
Ways That I Help
I have a few ways I like to help clients process trauma and feel better.
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uses gentle eye movements to help your brain process feelings and images. We meet for weeks or a few months to prepare for EMDR, then begin at a smooth pace. In EMDR, I guide you to approach your trauma bit by bit, and back off if it feels like “too much.” Over time, we heal the pain, and the memory of what happened no longer feels troubling. All without feeling overwhelmed.
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is a new and powerful way to heal trauma. It uses light, color, and eye movement to help people process and heal emotional distress. It was developed by Dr. Steven Vazquez and combines elements of psychology, neuroscience, and energy therapy.
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for relational and betrayal trauma. I specialize in attachment because we all need it to live satisfying lives. But too often, our attachments come with pain. If you’re experiencing this pain and want to be free and happy in relationships, I can help you.
Meet Your Trauma Therapist Dr. Mahalia Hijada
Hello, I’m Dr. Mahalia Hijada, a trauma therapist in California.
Clients say they like my calm and engaged presence. I work with dedication to get you the improvements you want. And for many clients, that looks like the ability to actually rest. To actually find relief from things that may have happened weeks, months, or years ago.
I specialize in serving individuals and couples with intergenerational trauma, family trauma, trouble forming healthy attachments, and other forms of trauma.
Over the last eight years of offering therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples, I’ve come to believe in the power everyone has to heal. I’ve seen lives and relationships completely transform. And I’ve seen people who thought they were broken learn to live again with self-worth and an open heart.
If you’re ready to heal and leave past trauma behind, let’s work together. I will guide you to heal at your own pace and in the ways you want to heal.
Dr. Mahalia Hijada
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Alliant International University-Los Angeles
Doctor of Psychology, Marital and Family Therapy Doctor of Psychology, Marital and Family Therapy
2018 - 2024Alliant International University-Los Angeles
Master of Arts (M.A.), Psychology/Couple and Family Therapy Master of Arts (M.A.), Psychology/Couple and Family Therapy
2016 - 2018ETT® Level 2: Visual Brain Simulation
ETT Training
2024EMDR Basic Training: Part 3 - Advanced Clinical Workshop and Refresher Course
January 2024
Locations I serve
I offer online therapy throughout California. If you’re in California, we can work together, and I often work with clients in these cities:
Claremont, San Antonio Heights, Montclair, Pomona, Chino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Eastvale, Fontana, Riverside, San Bernardino, Covina, Arcadia, Colton, Yorba Linda, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Upland, Oxnard, Redding, Yuba City
How to Get Started
Reach out
Send me a contact form below or give me a call. We’ll schedule a time to meet for a complimentary consultation.
Meet for a Consultation
We’ll meet to discusss you goals for therapy and what brings you here.
Start Therapy
If we’re a good fit, we’ll go ahead and start therapy together. We can meet weekly or as needed until you experience healing and relief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy
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Unhealed trauma can show up in many ways. You might feel emotionally stuck, have strong reactions to reminders of the past, struggle to trust others, or feel disconnected from yourself. Anxiety, numbness, and trouble regulating stress are also common signs that your nervous system is still carrying unresolved pain.
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When trauma goes untreated, it can affect your mental, emotional, and even physical health. Over time, this can lead to patterns like chronic anxiety, emotional overwhelm, relationship struggles, self-doubt, and ongoing stress responses. Healing through therapy helps you release these patterns and create a calmer, more grounded life.
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In trauma therapy, we start by building safety and trust. At your pace, we explore how past experiences are affecting you today and use gentle, evidence-based techniques like EMDR and Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) to process painful memories. The goal is to help your body and mind integrate these experiences so they no longer control your present.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. I use approaches tailored to your needs, including EMDR therapy, Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), and attachment-based therapy. These methods are highly effective for emotional wounds, relationship trauma, betrayal, and other painful experiences.
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Trauma can leave the nervous system in a constant state of alert. In therapy, we work together to calm that response by teaching grounding skills, practicing guided visualizations, and using EMDR or ETT to release stored stress. Over time, you’ll feel safer in your body and better able to handle life’s challenges.
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Every healing journey is unique. Some clients notice meaningful changes after a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you so that your progress is steady and sustainable.
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Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Depending on your goals and needs, therapy may last a few months or longer. Some clients seek short-term support, while others choose ongoing care to deepen their healing and maintain lasting change.
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I’m not in-network with insurance, but I can provide a superbill, which is a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients also choose to use HSA or FSA funds to cover sessions.
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Yes. Everything you share is kept private and secure, with very limited exceptions required by law (such as safety concerns). My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can speak freely and heal without judgment.
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You might, and that’s completely okay. Tears are a natural part of healing. Whether you feel sadness, relief, or release, therapy is a safe place to experience your emotions and process them with support.
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Item descriptioGetting started is simple. You can:
Fill out the contact form on this page
Email me at info@drmahaliamft.com
I’ll respond within 24 hours to help you book your first session and begin your healing journey.
Contact Me for Your Complimentary Consultation
If you’re feeling called to talk with someone, please contact me. Let’s see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Phone Number
Mail Address
Bounce Back from Trauma Faster
You don’t have to keep carrying the weight of the past. Trauma therapy offers a path toward feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control of your life.
Imagine waking up with more energy, more clarity, and the confidence to handle whatever comes your way.
Your healing is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Take the first step today and see how much lighter life can feel.
Dr. Mahalia MFT is a therapy practice based in California, serving clients online via secure telehealth. Dr. Mahalia Hijada specializes in trauma, anxiety, self-esteem, and more. Additionally, she helps individuals and couples navigate intergenerational trauma, family trauma, Asian/POC mental health, and developing secure relationships.