Top Rated San Diego Trauma Therapist Allison Barton
Trauma therapy can help you start healing & enjoy life
Allison Barton stands out as a trauma therapist because she:
is certified in EMDR therapy
is experienced in helping high-achieving women break free from perfectionism, high-functioning anxiety, and trauma
utilizes trauma-informed care that is compassionate, safe, and judgment free
blends science and self-compassion by using evidence based treatments to help clients release guilt and shame
offers flexible and accessible options for therapy, including virtual therapy, in office sessions, and walk-and-talk therapy in San Marcos
Top 5 Trauma Therapists in San Diego
Allison Barton is an EMDR therapist who works with perfectionists and high-achieving women to reduce anxiety and perfectionism by addressing the underlying trauma at the root of these patterns. Her approach helps clients understand the deeper emotional wounds driving their need to overperform, allowing space for healing, self-compassion, and a more balanced way of living.
Credentials:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) – California
Certified EMDR Practitioner/Therapist
Clientele: Individuals and Adults (primarily women)
Location: 1455 Frazee Rd, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108
Virtual Therapy: Yes
Lauren Spinelli is passionate about supporting women as they work through anxiety, life transitions, and trauma. She offers walk-and-talk therapy, giving clients the opportunity to move their bodies and process emotions while walking along the beautiful beaches of San Diego. Lauren’s approach combines the healing power of nature with compassionate, grounded therapeutic support to help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Credentials:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – California, License #82862
Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health (Boston College)
Clientele: Adults, teens, children
Location: San Diego, CA 92109
Virtual Therapy: Yes
Marissa Padilla specializes in supporting Millennial and Gen Z clients navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma. As a therapist who identifies as both Latina and Black, Marissa is deeply committed to providing culturally responsive and inclusive care. She creates a supportive space where clients from diverse backgrounds can feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healing journey.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #136357) in California
Clientele: Adults (18+)
Location: 2635 Camino del Rio South, Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92108
Virtual Therapy: Yes
Keren Khait is a trauma therapist who specializes in supporting individuals healing from complex trauma, burnout, and the unique experiences of immigrants and first-generation communities. As someone who identifies as having ADHD, Keren brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work with neurodivergent clients. She creates a thoughtful, inclusive space where clients can explore their stories, better understand their nervous systems, and begin the process of deep, sustainable healing.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #137961) in California
Clientele: Individuals (adults, teens), couples, families
Location: In-person offices in Valley Village, Los Angeles, CA and Los Alamitos, CA
Virtual Therapy: Yes
Deema Al-Omar is a Palestinian American and neurodivergent therapist who specializes in supporting clients with trauma and ADHD. She is trained in Brainspotting, a powerful, brainbased therapy approach that helps clients process and heal unresolved trauma. Deema brings a deeply attuned and affirming presence to her work, creating a space where clients feel seen, empowered, and supported in their healing journey.
Credentials:
Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW, Pre‑licensed in California, ACSW108849)
Master of Social Work from University of Southern California (USC)
Clientele: Individuals
Location: Torrance, CA 90505
Virtual Therapy: Yes
My approach to trauma therapy
My approach to trauma therapy is holistic and takes into account the symptoms that are affecting your daily life, as well as the goals you have for yourself. I work with my clients to reduce anxiety disorders, manage life stressors without spiraling into overwhelm, and process through trauma. I guide clients in developing strategies to manage the stressors in their lives and improve their emotional regulation. I am certified in EMDR therapy and guide clients through traumatic experiences they have endured in order to heal their trauma.
How to get started
If you've experienced trauma, you may be wondering how to get started in trauma therapy but feeling overwhelmed. Here are 3 easy steps to getting started.
Schedule a Consultation Call
The first step to getting started is to schedule a consultation call. Many therapists offer a free 15-20 minute phone call to allow you to ask questions you have, talk about your goals for therapy, and see if the therapist feels like a good fit for you. If you're interested in working with me, you can schedule a consultation call directly on the contact page of my website.
Write Down Questions
Having a conversation with a provider can be overwhelming- I get it! Write down any questions you have about therapy and your hesitations about therapy prior to the consultation call so you don't forget them. You can use google or Chat GPT to generate questions for you if you're struggling to think of things you want to ask.
Schedule an Initial Session
The final step is to schedule an initial session at a time that works for you. You'll receive an intake packet of paperwork to fill out, including the therapist's policies and a history of your symptoms so your therapist can get to know you better prior to the first session.
Common reasons why people start trauma therapy
There are several reasons people might choose to start trauma therapy. Often, people feel okay or like they're managing after they've experienced trauma- until all of the sudden they're not. Many people feel stuck in negative beliefs they developed based on trauma they've experienced. Others are struggling with an overactive nervous system that doesn't allow them to calm down and makes them feel constantly on edge. All of these might be reasons why someone who has a trauma history wants to seek professional help.
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Whether you experienced physical abuse, neglect, or emotional abuse from emotionally immature parents, experiencing trauma as a child can change the way you view yourself and the world. Those who experience trauma early in life often struggle with trusting themselves, trusting others, and viewing the world as a safe place. Therapy services can help to resolve lingering PTSD symptoms from childhood abuse. Other mental health disorders can also be caused from trauma in childhood, including depression, anxiety, and OCD. Therapy is a supportive environment to work through the beliefs and events in your life that are making you feel stuck.
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Post traumatic stress disorder can develop from experiencing chronic trauma, like in an abusive relationship or in childhood, or from a single traumatic event, like a car accident or robbery. If your mental health is negatively impacted by the trauma you experienced, trauma therapy can help you develop coping skills, boundaries, and resolve the symptoms you are experiencing.
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Having traumatic experiences can make it difficult to have a healthy relationship and set appropriate boundaries. This is because you may struggle to trust others, you may have people pleasing tendencies that blind you to your own needs, or you may have a hard time entering into a relationship due to fear of abandonment. Working with a skilled trauma therapist can help you meet your goals by healing negative beliefs you developed about yourself and the world. You can work on identifying your own needs in relationships and setting appropriate boundaries that allow you to feel safe.
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Trauma can lead to struggles with anxiety due to fears of worst case scenarios or due to looming feelings of dread. Some people who have experienced trauma develop perfectionism as a way to prove to themselves and the world that they can do it all. Unfortunately, this tendency leads to burnout due to an inability to rest and accept help from others. Trauma therapy can help you heal properly so that you can create a sense of safety in your body and improve your self-esteem.
When another practice might be a better fit for your needs
There are times when another practice or therapist might support you better than I can. Finding the right therapist can feel like dating and it might take a few consultations to find a therapist who feels like the right fit for you. I don't work with clients who:
are experiencing active hallucinations or psychosis
are actively suicidal or homicidal
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The difference between a therapist and a trauma therapist is the expertise a therapist has in understanding and healing trauma. Trauma therapists need to understand the brain, the nervous system, and proper techniques for guiding clients toward healing in order to provide effective psychotherapy for patients.
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There are different types of trainings that would make a therapist qualified to treat trauma, including:
EMDR therapy
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Trauma-Focused CBT
Psychodynamic therapy
The type of therapy that will work best for you depends on the trauma you have experienced and your preferences. When consulting with a potential new therapist, they should be able to explain to you the type of therapy they are trained/certified in, how it helps to heal trauma, and why they chose that type of therapy. I am certified in EMDR therapy and find it to be extremely helpful form of therapy to guide my clients toward healing because it focuses on root issues and negative beliefs developed from trauma.
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Absolutely! If you're struggling to address the issues that are affecting your life and don't have tools to work through the symptoms you are experiencing, trauma therapy is absolutely worth it. Trauma therapy can teach you how to regulate your emotions so you aren't triggered as often, can help you learn to calm your nervous system so you don't feel on edge constantly, and can help resolve specific PTSD symptoms you're experiencing. Studies have shown:
therapy can be highly effective for resolving physical symptoms and emotional distress caused from PTSD
complex PTSD includes emotional distress, interpersonal struggles, and negative belief about oneself are often present in individuals with a severe trauma history
that several kinds of trauma therapy can be effective in treating PTSD, including EMDR, CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy
EMDR is an effective way to process trauma
FAQs about trauma treatment
Start Trauma Therapy in San Diego Today
At Allison Barton Therapy, my goal is to help you be the you that you've always wanted to be. I strive to create a safe, judgment free zone where you can process your trauma, learn to manage difficult emotions, and reduce the suffering you're experiencing. If you're interested in working together, schedule a free consultation call on my website to get started today!
