It’s okay to need help. When you’re ready, I’d be honored to support you as you move forward in your healing.
- Online & In-Person Sessions Available in Newhall-Santa Clarita, Los Angeles & Studio City
Online and In-Person Sessions
Welcome, I'm Julia.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#104811) with over fifteen years of experience supporting individuals from marginalized communities through an intersectional lens. I’m passionate about helping clients understand how their history impacts their present, and empowering them to move forward with clarity, strength, and intention.
I offer both online and in-person sessions in Los Angeles, Newhall-Santa Clarita, and Studio City.
Office Locations
Newhall-Santa Clarita Office
24509 Walnut St Ste. 201,
Newhall, CA 91321
(818) 646-7921
Los Angeles Office
566 S. San Vicente Blvd STE 101
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 483-4225
Studio City Office
11712 Moorpark St suite 101
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 646-7921
Have questions?Call or Schedule a Consultation
What Is a Trauma Informed Therapist?
Trauma is what happens when we go through something distressing or disturbing, and it impacts our well-being. These traumatic events can interfere with our ability to cope, leading to feelings of hopelessness and isolation. These events can shape how you think, how you relate to others, and how your nervous system reacts long after the moment has passed. Because the impacts of trauma are different for everyone, your experience deserves care, understanding, and compassion.
As a trauma therapist in Santa Clarita, CA, my work is rooted in trauma-informed care, an approach that shifts from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” When we use trauma-informed approaches, we recognize the many ways trauma can show up in your life, including avoidance, emotional overwhelm, or symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Shame is a common and deeply human response to trauma, and together we work to gently unlearn the belief that you were ever at fault. In our sessions, we build a supportive environment where safety, trust, and healing can take shape without judgment.
During our work together, we will develop healthy and personalized coping strategies to better manage the symptoms of trauma. This process allows for self-compassion, self-awareness, and a more balanced lifestyle, which can significantly improve your emotional well-being and quality of life. Whether the trauma you experienced was a single event or a series of painful events/experiences, our sessions will help you regain a sense of control and begin to move forward on your healing journey. I would be honored to sit with you as we explore how trauma has impacted your life and create a path toward recovery.
Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance is a common response to trauma, where the body and mind remain in a constant state of alertness, even when there is no immediate danger. This heightened state can make you feel overly alert, constantly worried, and have trouble relaxing or sleeping. Whether it’s exposure to a traumatic experience, such as sexual assault, natural disasters, or other types of trauma, the impact of trauma can linger, causing ongoing emotional distress. In my trauma-informed practice, the focus is on creating a supportive environment where you can explore these reactions without judgment and begin developing healthy coping strategies.
Mood Changes
Trauma survivors often experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, shame, worry, confusion, guilt, numbness, hopelessness, and irritability. These emotional reactions can feel overwhelming and affect your ability to focus or cope day to day. As a trauma therapist, I create a supportive environment where you can explore and process these intense feelings without judgment. By using trauma-informed approaches, we work together to build healthy coping strategies, improve emotional safety, and foster a greater sense of stability and self-awareness as you begin to move forward in your healing.
Avoidance
Avoidance is a common response to trauma and can manifest in various ways. You may try to cope by using substances to numb the emotional pain or by avoiding conversations about the traumatic experience. Staying away from people, places, or situations that serve as reminders is also typical. While these patterns can feel protective, they may begin to impact your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. In my work as a trauma therapist, we gently explore these avoidance responses in a supportive environment, developing healthy coping strategies that help you regain control and move forward at a comfortable pace.
Physical Symptoms
When you’ve experienced a traumatic event, it’s common for your body to hold onto stress, creating a range of physical reactions. These trauma-related symptoms can include stomach pain, heartburn, headaches, fatigue, a racing heart, sweaty palms, or feeling constantly on edge and hypervigilant. These responses are the body’s attempt to cope with the impact of trauma, but they can leave you feeling drained, disconnected, or out of control. In therapy, we take a holistic approach that supports both the emotional and physical effects of trauma, creating a supportive environment that helps regulate your nervous system and improve your overall quality of life as you begin to move forward.
Working with a Trauma-Informed Therapist in the Los Angeles Area
Trauma-related symptoms can feel painful, overwhelming, and difficult to manage. Whether you’ve experienced a single traumatic event, ongoing trauma, or a distressing series of events, the impact of trauma on your life and mental health is real and valid. Many trauma survivors are told to “heal quickly” or “move on,” but healing from trauma takes time, support, and a supportive environment where your story is taken seriously.
As a trauma-informed therapist in the Santa Clarita Valley, my approach prioritizes trauma-informed care and recognizes that each person’s trauma history is unique. Our therapeutic relationship will be built on trust, emotional safety, and compassion. By taking the time to understand the context of your trauma, we can work through your responses to trauma, explore healthy coping mechanisms, and develop treatment plans tailored to your needs. My role as a compassionate trauma therapist is to offer a supportive environment where your emotions are welcomed without judgment, helping you reconnect with yourself and begin to feel a greater sense of control in your life.
You and your story matter, and your path to healing deserves care and attention. If you’re ready to begin this personal growth journey, know that trauma-informed care is here to support you every step of the way. When you feel ready, take the first step and reach out—healing becomes possible the moment you no longer have to hold everything on your own.
“The single most important issue for traumatized people is to find safety in their own bodies.” – Bessel van der kolk
Compassionate Trauma Therapy in Santa Clarita, CA
Starting therapy is a big step, and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re brand new to psychotherapy or returning after some time away, I’m here to meet you exactly where you are. My goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow in ways that feel real and sustainable.
Here’s what our work together usually looks like:
Free Consultation
We’ll start with a free 20-minute phone call. This is your space to share what’s been coming up for you, ask any questions, and get a feel for how I work—no pressure, no commitment. Some people decide to move forward right away, while others take some time to think about it. Either way is welcome.
Weekly Sessions
We’ll meet regularly (typically once a week) in a supportive, non-judgmental space. Our sessions will focus on processing your experiences, building practical tools, and gently shifting patterns that no longer serve you—all at a pace that feels right for you.
Tailored Plan
If you decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your first full session and begin shaping a plan that fits your goals, identity, and lived experience. This is where we begin exploring what’s getting in the way and how therapy can support the changes you want to make.
Ongoing Support & Growth
Therapy isn’t just about addressing pain. It’s also about deepening your connection with yourself. As you grow, we’ll adjust the work together to reflect your evolving needs, helping you stay clear, grounded, and supported throughout your healing process.
Get in touch now
Trauma can happen at any point in life. No matter how difficult it may seem, therapy can help. I’d be honored to work with you.
Need to Talk Now?Call 818-646-5106
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a therapist specializing in trauma?
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed by emotions, disconnected from yourself, or like your past keeps showing up in your present, working with a trauma-focused therapist can help. Trauma therapy is about helping individuals understand what happened, how it shaped them (thoughts/reactions), and how to regain emotional balance. My role is to offer trauma-informed care that helps life feel more manageable, grounded, and aligned with who you want to be.
What does a trauma therapist actually do in sessions?
A trauma therapist listens deeply, offers compassionate care, creates emotional safety, and guides you through healing at a pace that feels safe and right to you. Our work may include talk therapy, grounding techniques, EMDR, or strategies that support nervous-system regulation. The goal isn’t to push you into sharing before you're ready—it’s to help you feel safe, supported, and equipped with tools to navigate triggers and build a more stable, connected life.
What if I’m nervous to talk about what happened?
That’s completely normal. You never have to share anything before you’re ready. Sometimes we start by building safety, learning tools to stabilize emotions, and strengthening the body’s ability to stay regulated. Healing doesn’t begin by reopening wounds; it begins by creating a foundation where you feel supported and safe enough to explore gently and at your own pace.
Can trauma therapy help if I’m also dealing with anxiety or depression?
Yes. Many people carrying trauma also experience anxiety, depression, or difficulties such as anger, relationship challenges, or emotional overwhelm. Because trauma affects both the body and mind, treating it often brings relief across multiple areas of your life. Therapy can help you feel more balanced, resilient, and connected to yourself and others.
What if my trauma happened a long time ago?
Trauma doesn’t follow a timeline. Even when a traumatic event happened years ago, its impact can show up in your nervous system, relationships, patterns, or sense of self. Trauma-informed therapy can help you understand these responses, develop coping strategies, and move forward with greater clarity and stability.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, I am not in-network with any insurance companies. However, many insurance companies have an “out-of-network mental health coverage policy.” If your insurance company offers this, I can provide you with a monthly “superbill” to submit for possible reimbursement.
Are sessions online or in-person?
Julia Schwab Therapy offers both online and in-person sessions. In-person appointments are available in Los Angeles, Studio City, and the Newhall–Santa Clarita area.
