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Moving Beyond Survival Mode.

Therapy for Trauma & PTSD

Catherine Alvarado Therapy + EMDR is a holistic psychotherapy practice in Redondo Beach offering trauma therapy that honors your whole nervous system. Trauma can leave people feeling disconnected from themselves, their relationships, and their sense of safety, often showing up through anxiety, emotional overwhelm, hypervigilance, shame, or protective patterns rooted in past experiences.

We offer holistic, integrative therapy rooted in deeper healing.

  • EMDR therapy, intensive EMDR, and adjunct EMDR for deeper trauma processing and nervous system healing.

  • Integrating somatic, experiential, and body-based approaches such as Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt therapy, and IFS/parts work.

  • Drawing from psychodynamic, attachment-focused, and relational approaches to support deeper emotional understanding and reflection.

  • Exploring personal narratives, identity, and meaning-making through collaborative and narrative-based work.

WHAT WE HELP WITH

Support for the challenges life can bring.

✓ Childhood Trauma & Emotional Wounds

✓ PTSD & Complex Trauma

✓ Attachment Trauma & Relational Patterns

✓ Dissociation & Emotional Numbing

✓ Shame & Negative Core Beliefs

✓ Hypervigilance & Nervous System Activation

✓ Emotional Overwhelm & Shutdown

✓ Difficulty Feeling Safe or Connected

✓ Trauma Related Anxiety & Panic

✓ Protective Patterns & Survival Responses

how it works

Ready to get started?

Complete our inquiry form to get in touch. We’ll review your responses and follow up within 48 hours.

If you’re unsure which provider to work with, you’re welcome to share a bit about what you’re looking for—we’ll help guide you to the best fit. Our team is made up of thoughtful, highly trained clinicians, and we take care in matching you with someone who aligns with what you’re looking for.

We offer both in-person therapy in Redondo Beach and virtual sessions throughout California.

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  • Portrait of Catherine Alvarado, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

    Catherine Alvarado

    Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist 134744

    Fears | Anxiety | Trauma

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  • Monika Arana, Registered Associate MFT

    Monika Arana

    Registered Associate MFT 140548

    Attachment | Inner Child | Identity

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  • Arielle Harris, Registered Associate MFT

    Arielle Harris

    Registered Associate MFT 161691

    Boundaries | Burnout | Perfectionism

    LEARN MORE
Blog
How to Set Boundaries as a Young Adult (Without Feeling Guilty)
boundaries, young adult therapy, setting boundaries, people-pleasing, guilt and boundaries
How to Set Boundaries as a Young Adult (Without Feeling Guilty)
boundaries, young adult therapy, setting boundaries, people-pleasing, guilt and boundaries

Setting boundaries as a young adult can feel challenging when guilt or people-pleasing patterns are present. Strengthening boundaries often involves not just what’s said, but how it feels internally—something supportive approaches like EMDR can help with over time.

Read more →
boundaries, young adult therapy, setting boundaries, people-pleasing, guilt and boundaries
Common Myths About EMDR Therapy (And What’s Actually True)
emdr therapy, emdr myths, trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, nervous system regulation, evidence-based therapy, emdr online, somatic therapy, memory reprocessing
Common Myths About EMDR Therapy (And What’s Actually True)
emdr therapy, emdr myths, trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, nervous system regulation, evidence-based therapy, emdr online, somatic therapy, memory reprocessing

Even though EMDR therapy is one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma and anxiety, it’s often misunderstood. Common myths can make EMDR seem intimidating, when the reality is much more supportive and approachable.

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emdr therapy, emdr myths, trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, nervous system regulation, evidence-based therapy, emdr online, somatic therapy, memory reprocessing
EMDR Therapy for Trauma: Moving Beyond Survival Mode
emdr therapy, trauma therapy, ptsd, complex trauma, survival mode, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, trauma-informed therapy, somatic trauma therapy
EMDR Therapy for Trauma: Moving Beyond Survival Mode
emdr therapy, trauma therapy, ptsd, complex trauma, survival mode, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, trauma-informed therapy, somatic trauma therapy

After trauma, the nervous system can remain stuck in survival mode, scanning for danger long after the threat has passed. EMDR therapy helps the brain and body reprocess overwhelming experiences so safety can be felt again—not just understood—allowing calm, connection, and presence to gradually return.

Read more →
emdr therapy, trauma therapy, ptsd, complex trauma, survival mode, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, trauma-informed therapy, somatic trauma therapy