PTSD/Trauma
Therapy
A Comprehensive Approach to Wellness by Clinician La Tanya Wallace, NP
Now Offering Therapy Intensives!
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Now Offering Therapy Intensives! ➣
Whether it's painful echoes of the past that ripple through your every step, a heaviness that weighs upon your soul or the persistent shadows that haunt your thoughts, you deserve to find healing from trauma.
Are you struggling to cope with the lingering effects of trauma, feeling overwhelmed and finding it difficult to navigate daily life?
Living with chronic trauma is like carrying a heavy burden that infiltrates every aspect of your being. It's an invisible weight that taints your thoughts, distorts your emotions and erodes your sense of self. You’re here because you know that you deserve better and want to find freedom from the symptoms that haunt you.
By teaming up with La Tanya Wallace, a compassionate and knowledgeable Board-Certified Psychiatric, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Naturopathic Clinician based in the Banker's Hill Neighborhood of San Diego, you can find the support and guidance you need to pave a clear path toward healing.
NP Wallace understands the impact of trauma on your life and is dedicated to helping you uncover the underlying factors contributing to your struggles. Through a holistic approach that combines EMDR, medical and mental health interventions, she will walk alongside you on your healing journey.
How can I tell if I
have trauma?
Trauma can wreak havoc on your work, social life, relationships, friendships and overall quality of life. No two people will react to traumatic situations the same. Because of this, trauma symptoms will vary greatly from person to person.
Some trauma symptoms that you may be noticing include:
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Repeated, distressing or vivid recollections of the traumatic event(s) that resurface involuntarily, often through nightmares or flashbacks.
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A strong desire to avoid anything that reminds you of the trauma, including people, places, activities or conversations. You may also feel emotionally numb, detached or have difficulty experiencing positive emotions.
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Persistent feelings of being on edge, easily startled or constantly alert for potential danger. You may have trouble concentrating, experience irritability, have difficulty sleeping or exhibit an exaggerated startle response.
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Persistent negative emotions, such as sadness, guilt, shame, anger or fear. You may have a distorted sense of self-worth, feelings of hopelessness, or a pessimistic outlook on life.
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Sudden and intense emotional or physical reactions to triggers that remind you of the traumatic event(s). These reactions can include panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling or difficulty breathing.
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Struggles with forming and maintaining healthy relationships, trust issues, social withdrawal or feeling disconnected from others.
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Unexplained physical symptoms or complaints such as headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain or compromised immune system functioning.
Understanding Trauma
We all have a survival mechanism embedded into our very DNA - most of us know it as our “fight or flight” response. This innate survival mechanism, rooted in our primal instincts, is designed to protect us from imminent danger. However, when we’re subjected to one instance of trauma after another or stress that continues to compound, this system becomes dysregulated, throwing our emotional and physiological responses into disarray.
Everyday stimuli that once posed no threat can now send our bodies into a state of alarm, flooding us with adrenaline and cortisol. The heightened sensitivity of our nervous system keeps us in a perpetual state of readiness, as if danger lurks around every corner.
Trauma can also lead to the opposite extreme, where the fight-or-flight system becomes depleted and exhausted. Repeated exposure to overwhelming stressors depletes our inner resources, leaving us feeling numb, disconnected and detached from our surroundings. Our fight-or-flight response loses its vitality, and we may find ourselves trapped in a state of freeze or dissociation.
What events and experiences can be traumatic?
Trauma is something personal to everyone. There is no specific event that can be claimed traumatic, as everyone handles adversity and stress differently. Nobody can know if an event or experience is traumatic but you. You could have gone through a similar situation as someone else and had a totally different reaction to it.
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Being harmed
Seeing someone else harmed
Living in an unsafe environment
Experiencing secondhand violence or discrimination in connection with your family, race, ethnicity, or community
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Frightened/fearful
Scared for your life
Under threat of physical/psychological harm
Humiliated
Rejected
Invalidated
Trapped
Alone
Powerless
Guilty
Ashamed
Trauma treatment can help you get unstuck
EMDR and other holistic trauma treatment techniques will help you reduce and eliminate the unpleasant emotions and feelings that accompany traumatic past memories and experiences in your life. The techniques and skills I will teach you will help you confidently move on and move forward from the trauma holding you back. You can have peace of mind knowing you will develop the tools you need to rid trauma of its power over you once and for all. If you want to feel that peace of mind and get back to living life without those overwhelming feelings, reach out to La Tanya Wallace, NP today!
EMDR Therapy
FOR TRAUMA TREATMENT
My holistic trauma treatment approach incorporates a range of techniques, but a significant approach I utilize with my clients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a noninvasive psychotherapy technique used by trained clinicians like myself to specifically target and rewrite traumatic memories, releasing their hold on you.
During an EMDR therapy session, I will guide you as you process through a painful memory or experience while simultaneously engaging in bilateral eye movements. This guided eye movement aims to replicate the eye movement patterns experienced during dreaming, facilitating the processing of traumatic memories and experiences. By pairing this technique with calming skills, you can reprocess those traumatic memories at a safe emotional distance, without reliving them fully or becoming overwhelmed by them.
We continue to do this guided eye movement until you no longer feel distressed or panicked when focusing on the traumatic experience/event. The goal of EMDR is to enable your sense of power and confidence by helping you develop emotional resilience and easing troubling trauma symptoms.
Are you sure there isn’t something wrong with me?
When your life and worldview have been colored by trauma, it’s easy to doubt yourself and doubt your experiences. This can be difficult, especially for those who don’t have a singular event they can point to that’s causing their distress. Still, when every day feels like a battle—when the remnants of past experiences intertwine with the present—it casts a shadow over even the simplest moments. Know that there is nothing wrong with you.
Life with trauma feels like being trapped in a never-ending cycle of fear, anxiety and hypervigilance, where a sense of safety and ease remains elusive. Relationships become challenging, as trust and vulnerability become precarious tightropes to navigate. The world feels both threatening and overwhelming, as triggers lurk around every corner, ready to ignite a cascade of distress. It's a constant struggle to find moments of peace and to reclaim a sense of control over one's own narrative. Yet, amid the darkness, there is resilience, strength, and a glimmer of hope that one day, through compassionate support and effective treatment, the weight of chronic trauma can be lifted.
Holistic healing from
trauma is possible
No matter how long you've been dealing with trauma, it's possible to overcome the panic and unease that accompanies it. The key is finding a trauma treatment that works for you.
In my 12 years of working with trauma clients, I have witnessed the transformative effects of a holistic trauma treatment plan. With my clients, I use IFS therapy to understand trauma and our response to these wounded parts of ourselves, I use EMDR to actively target and recalibrate specific distressing memories, and I use a combination of lifestyle management and supplement recommendations to support the healing process.
Regardless of the approach you choose, it's important to remember that you are not alone, and you have the power to take back control of your life from the influence of trauma.
Consider accelerating your healing with a therapy intensive!
➣ Address mental health challenges like anxiety, depression & trauma
➣ Make desired lifestyle changes including weight management
➣ Make progress on personal, professional or relational goals
➣ Achieve the personal development milestones you’ve been working towards
➣ Enhance your sports performance on and off the field/court
➣ Overcome creative blocks in your artistic and creative pursuits
Therapy Intensives offer a concentrated, personalized, and sustainable approach to address and overcome the challenges hindering your well-being.
Instead, immerse yourself in a focused therapeutic experience, dedicating a few hours or days to make significant strides and break free from the constraints of conventional therapy schedules.
Answering Your Questions About EMDR and Trauma Treatment
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In an EMDR session, you can expect a structured and supportive therapeutic process aimed at resolving traumatic experiences. The session begins with establishing safety and rapport, followed by identifying target memories. Your therapist will teach you coping skills and relaxation techniques to manage distress. The core treatment phase involves desensitization and reprocessing of the targeted memories using bilateral stimulation (side to side eye movements or tapping). Throughout the session, you’ll maintain dual awareness, holding the memory while staying present in the room with me. We’ll systematically approach the traumatic memories that steal your focus, stripping them of their power over you. At the end of the hour, progress is assessed, and each session concludes with closure and self-care.
EMDR offers a comprehensive approach to trauma therapy, promoting healing and integration while providing coping skills and support.
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Trauma treatment is an investment in your quality of life, and you should know that I am invested in helping you overcome your trauma as quickly as possible.
Rates:
80 minute session:
$250 for individuals (includes medication management as warranted).
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My office is located in the Bankers Hill neighborhood of San Diego for in-office treatment.
I also offer EMDR teletherapy to clients living anywhere in California, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Florida and many surrounding states.
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Absolutely! I use other techniques such as trauma-informed IFS therapy, lifestyle management and naturopathic suggestions like supplements to handle the physical manifestations of trauma and, when needed, prescription medication. The goal of holistic trauma treatment is to understand trauma and your reaction to it from all angles, as well as teach you how to reduce the impact on other areas of your life. I want to give you the best chance possible to overcome trauma’s power over you once and for all!
Your trauma treatment plan may encompass a range of therapeutic approaches and supportive interventions, tailored to your specific needs and preferences. These may include:
Trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to create a safe space for exploring and reframing anxious thoughts and behaviors.
Mindfulness and meditation practices to cultivate present-moment awareness, promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Deep breathing exercises to facilitate relaxation, prepare the body for EMDR and regulate the body's stress response.
Encouragement to engage in regular exercise and physical activity, which can release endorphins, improve mood and support the body's natural healing process.
Nutrition counseling to educate about healthy eating habits and a balanced diet, providing adequate nutrients to support overall well-being and stabilize mood.
A discussion about sleep hygiene practices to establish a consistent and restful sleep routine, allowing for adequate rest and restoration.
Consideration of dietary supplements that support a healthy nervous system, promote emotional balance and aid in the healing process.
Exploration of naturopathic products, such as herbal or homeopathic remedies known for their calming effects.
Medication management, if appropriate, to address specific symptoms and any co-occurring mental health concerns like anxiety or depression.
Spiritual counseling to explore the spiritual dimensions of life, find meaning and foster inner peace on the path to healing from trauma.
Assessment for the potential benefits of emotional support animals, providing companionship, comfort and support during the healing journey.
Weight loss counseling, if relevant, to address unhelpful trauma coping strategies that center on food and body image.
Referrals to complementary therapies like acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy and massage, which can provide additional support in the healing process and promote overall well-being.
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The timeline for improvement varies greatly depending on your level of motivation, dedication to healing, and the duration of the trauma you've experienced. Trauma treatment is a highly individualized process influenced by various factors. However, it's important to note that you will begin acquiring skills and tools to improve your quality of life from the very first session. EMDR treatment, in particular, is known for its ability to provide quick and lasting relief from distressing trauma symptoms.
An IFS perspective of trauma
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a system of different parts or subpersonalities, each with its own beliefs, emotions and behaviors. From an IFS perspective, trauma is understood as the result of overwhelming experiences that cause certain parts of ourselves to become wounded or burdened. These wounded parts or “exiles” may hold the emotions, memories and beliefs associated with the trauma. They often carry intense feelings of fear, shame, anger or helplessness.
Operating within the system are also “protector” parts that push the exiles out of focus. These parts engage in protective behaviors, such as avoidance, dissociation or hypervigilance in an effort to shield us from further harm. However, this can end up doing more harm than good.
IFS also recognizes the existence of the “Self” or the core essence of who we are. The Self possesses qualities such as compassion, wisdom, curiosity and calmness. It has the capacity to provide stability, guidance and healing to the wounded parts.
Trauma healing through IFS therapy
In IFS therapy, the focus is on establishing a compassionate and trusting relationship with all parts of ourselves, including the wounded parts. By developing a connection with these parts, the therapist helps to create a safe space for exploration and healing. The goal is to support the wounded parts in releasing their burdens and reconnecting with the Self, allowing for integration and restoration of the internal system.
From this perspective, healing trauma involves a process of unburdening the wounded parts, addressing their needs, and facilitating communication and cooperation among all parts within the internal system. By cultivating self-compassion, self-awareness and self-leadership, individuals can gradually restore balance, reduce the impact of trauma and enhance overall well-being.
Take Back Your Power With EMDR Trauma Treatment In San Diego, California
If you are ready to start EMDR or holistic trauma treatment, you can start today by reaching out to me!
Schedule your first EMDR/holistic trauma treatment appointment
Ask about telehealth appointments if that is your preference
Consider a therapy intensive to accelerate your healing
I also provide primary care medical evaluations and treatments to maximize your overall health and well-being.
About La Tanya Wallace, FNP, PMHNP
La Tanya Wallace is a Board-Certified Psychiatric, Family Nurse Practitioner and Naturopathic Clinician with offices in San Diego, California, also offering teletherapy in California, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Florida and many surrounding states.
Her approach to anxiety treatment includes holistic health education, stress reduction treatment, EMDR, IFS therapies, related health recommendations and more!