Yael Gonicman Marriage and Family Therapy Corp.
Offering Virtual Telehealth Therapy throughout California
Trauma Therapy in Palo Alto, California
Trauma can live in the body long after the experience is over. You may feel on edge, easily startled, or constantly scanning for something to go wrong. Or it may show up in difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from yourself.
Trauma can impact relationships deeply. You struggle to feel safe with closeness, or find yourself replaying painful memories or conversations long after they’ve happened. Certain situations can trigger intense reactions that feel bigger than the moment, leaving you confused or ashamed.
Sometimes trauma isn’t one single event, but years of feeling unseen, criticized, unsafe, or unsupported. You may have learned to stay strong, stay small, or stay silent just to cope.
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Healing begins by creating safety, gently understanding what happened, and helping your body and mind learn that you are no longer alone in it.
How do I know When I need Trauma Therapy
Trauma doesn’t always come from a single dramatic event — it can build over time through repeated stress, neglect, or relational pain. You may feel constantly on edge or easily startled, struggle to trust others or feel safe in closeness, notice emotional numbness or disconnection from yourself, replay painful memories repeatedly, avoid certain people or situations out of fear, and find yourself stuck in patterns of over-functioning, people-pleasing, or self-blame.
If you recognize these patterns in your life, therapy can provide a safe, supportive space to process experiences, soothe your nervous system, and begin to feel grounded and secure again.
What can Trauma Therapy in Palo Alto, California do for you?
What if you could go from feeling constantly on edge → to feeling more grounded and safe in your body?
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What if you could go from shutting down or feeling numb → to reconnecting with your emotions at a pace that feels safe?
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What if you could go from replaying painful memories → to holding them with less intensity and more self-compassion?
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What if you could go from fearing closeness or abandonment → to experiencing steadier, more secure relationships?
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What if you could go from people-pleasing and self-blame → to setting boundaries and trusting your needs?
What do we do in Trauma Therapy?
Build Safety & Stability
We begin by strengthening your sense of safety. Using tools like, mindfulness, and grounding techniques, you’ll learn how to regulate intense emotions, manage triggers, and feel more steady in your body before processing deeper memories.
Process & Reprocess
Once you feel resourced and supported, we gently begin work to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories. This allows past experiences to feel less overwhelming, reducing their emotional charge and impact on your present life.
Integrate & Strengthen
As distress decreases, we focus on reinforcing healthier beliefs, boundaries, and relational patterns. You begin to experience more confidence, emotional flexibility, and a deeper sense of safety within yourself and your relationships.