Who are the best trauma therapists in Los Angeles?
Finding a therapist in Los Angeles can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of therapists to choose from and it can be difficult to know who has experience with the particular challenges you're facing.
When you have a history of trauma, finding someone who you feel safe enough to really open up to can be even more daunting. To make things easier for you, I’ve curated a list of five top-quality therapists in Los Angeles that specialize in working with trauma, PTSD and CPTSD.
Of course, there's no single "best" therapist for everyone. The right therapist depends on your individual needs, the issues you want to work on, your preferred approach to therapy and the kind of relationship you want with your therapist.
With that in mind, here are five top-rated trauma therapists and therapy practices in Los Angeles:
1) Rachel Neporent Therapy
Summary: Rachel provides a safe space to help women in Los Angeles process painful memories and break old survival patterns so that they can finally move forward and build a happy, intentional life. Healing your trauma patterns may feel impossible right now because it’s all you’ve ever known and you can’t imagine a reality where things are different. But the truth is: if you’re tired of feeling stuck in your current experience, therapy can help you unlearn what isn’t working for you and learn new ways that support the life you would like to live.
Location: West Hollywood, Los Angeles
Format: In-person in LA and online throughout California
Image Source: www.taravatankhah.com
2) Tara Vatankhah, LMFT
Summary: You are not broken or in need of fixing. Every part of you has a story and a purpose. When you meet yourself with curiosity and care, healing naturally unfolds. IFS therapy helps you make sense of these inner dynamics. Instead of trying to change or silence parts of yourself, you’ll learn to listen to them with curiosity—and discover the calm, grounded Self that can lead with clarity and compassion.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Format: Online
Source: https://www.drkyledortch.com
3) Annabelle Kyle Dortch, PsyD
Summary: Annabelle offers individual teletherapy to adults and young adults navigating the impacts of trauma. Her main message to clients is this: you make sense in context. Throughout our lives, our minds & bodies are deeply impacted by both good & difficult experiences. We build defenses, nervous systems, & habits that may have ensured security in the past, but are now contributing to some of the difficulty & suffering in our own lives. Her therapy treatment incorporates Relational Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Theory, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR).
Location: California
Format: Online only
4) Dr. Sarah Katz
Summary: Sarah provides a collaborative and tailored space for clients to safely heal and grow from trauma symptoms. Her style is multi-modal, meaning she weaves together different approaches based on the client's needs and preferences. She is trained in EMDR, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)and Internal Family Systems.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Format: In-person
Source: https://www.laurelsalmon.com
5) Laurel Salmon Therapy
Summary: Trauma therapy isn’t about blaming your past for everything or spending every session reliving painful memories. It’s about understanding yourself with more compassion while also recognizing where you’re ready for something different. Together, we’ll explore the experiences and beliefs that may be influencing how you see yourself, how you relate to others, and how you respond when things feel uncomfortable or uncertain.
Location: Los Angeles, Highland Park, Pasadena, Koreatown
Format: In-person and online
How To Choose A Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles
When you’re looking to find a new therapist, there are a few criteria that can help you make an informed choice and find a therapist that works for you.
1. Their areas of expertise
First and foremost, you should always look at their experience with the specific concerns you want to address, whether that's anxiety, relationships, trauma, self-worth, burnout, motherhood or something else.
2. Their experience working with people like you
If having a therapist who understands your life and what it’s like to be you is important to you, look for someone whose practice specifically reflects that focus.
3. Practical considerations
Location, online availability, scheduling, fees and insurance can all affect whether a therapist is a realistic fit.
4. Their therapeutic approach
Some therapists focus more on practical tools and changing thought patterns, while others emphasize relationships, attachment, past experiences or deeper emotional patterns.
5. Your personal connection
And last but certainly not least, therapy is personal. Almost all therapists offer free consultations that are designed to give you a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking with that particular therapist and whether their style feels right for you. When considering a therapist, always make sure to make use of that free consultation.
Meet The Author:
Rachel Neporent, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Women's Mental Health Therapist
Los Angeles, California
Areas of focus:
Rachel works with women across different seasons of life, helping clients navigate both immediate challenges and deeper patterns that may be affecting how they feel, relate and move through the world so they can live in alignment with their authentic self.
Therapeutic approaches:
Rachel takes a holistic, integrative approach to therapy, drawing from different therapeutic approaches based on each client's needs, goals, history and circumstances.
Therapy locations:
Los Angeles (in-person)
California (virtually)
Florida (virtually)
Interested in working with Rachel?
Learn more about Rachel's approach or schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation.
