Trauma Therapy in Manhattan Beach

In person and virtual therapy to conveniently serve Manhattan Beach

Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you. It’s about how your brain and body adapt to survive. You might find yourself constantly on edge, struggling with intrusive memories, or feeling disconnected from the people you love.

Do you feel like your past is always present?

  • Hypervigilance: Always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  • Flashbacks: Feeling like a past event is happening in the current moment.

  • Avoidance: Staying away from places, people, or thoughts that remind you of the event.

  • Emotional Numbness: Feeling flat or unable to experience joy.

What are common signs you might be struggling with trauma or PTSD?

How Trauma Therapy Helps

In our sessions, we don’t just talk about what happened. We work together to help your nervous system feel safe again. Using Evidence-Based approaches, I help clients move from a reacting to thriving.

My Therapeutic Approaches:

A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors with a blurred green background.

As an experienced trauma informed therapist I integrate an eclectic mix of evidence based practices with the insights gained through Depth (Jungian) narrative therapy to help clients process their trauma and reclaim their strength.

  • EMDR desensitizes painful memories so they no longer trigger a physical “fight” or “flight” response.

  • Somatic Experiencing focuses on releasing stored tension and trauma held within the body.

  • CBT helps reframe negative thought patterns stemming from traumatic events.

  • Yes, because IFS explores the parts of you that developed to protect you after trauma.

Melissa W. Cooper, MA, LMFT

Specialized Trauma Recovery in Manhattan Beach

Learn More About Melissa

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California I am dedicated to helping individuals with traumatic experiences feel safe again. I believe that your symptoms are not problems to be fixed, but adaptations your brain made to keep you safe during impossible times. My goal is to help you feel whole again.

I specialize in working with the nervous system because trauma doesn’t just live in our thoughts. It lives in our bodies. We will work together to help your nervous system feel safe again so you can expand your capacity to handle stress without feeling overwhelmed or shutting down. With over 8 years of clinical experience, my Manhattan Beach practice is rooted in evidenced-based care and a deep understanding of the human nervous system and its responses to trauma. Either in person or virtually, I provide a compassionate HIPPA compliant space for clients to feel safe and re-wire their trauma responses.

My therapeutic approach is person-centered and integrative, drawing from the insights of Depth Perspective (Jungian) Psychotherapy, combined with evidence based practices, including CBT, EMDR, Mindfulness and Somatic Healing.

My education and training includes Depth Perspective (Jungian) Psychotherapy, Somatic Healing, Mindfulness Practices, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming (EMDR) Level 1 and 2 trained, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allowing me to integrate insight-driven exploration with tools that deliver real world results.

Specializations

Trauma & PTSD

Anxiety

Life Transitions

Loss & Grief

Depression

Stress & Burnout

Counseling for Women

Welcome From Melissa

What Other Therapists Say About Melissa

Endorsements From Psychology Today

View Melissa's full Profile on Psychology Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Every journey in trauma therapy is unique. Some clients see significant relief in 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support.

  • No. Modern trauma therapies like EMDR or Somatic work allow us to process the impact of the trauma without you having to recount every painful detail if you aren’t ready.

  • Yes studies have shown that trauma-informed care via telehealth is just as effective as in-person sessions, provided you have a private, safe space to talk.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • Our pricing is based on project type and complexity. 50 minute sessions range from $185 to $200. However we do offer a sliding scale in some cases. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

You don’t have to carry the weight of the past alone. I offer a free introductory consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Schedule My Free Introductory Consultation