Trauma Therapist in Riverside, CA and throughout California

Online Trauma therapy for teens and adults using EMDR and parts-based approaches

Trauma, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and relationship issues

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Two hands reaching towards each other in a forest with sunlight shining through the trees.

Is therapy for me?

You wake up each day just trying to survive. The weight of trauma, anxiety, or depression makes it hard to feel, to plan, to hope. You feel numb, alone, or like no one could ever really understand you. You’ve built walls to protect yourself from being hurt—but those same walls keep out connection, joy, and safety.

You might recognize some of what’s happening inside you:

  • Feeling disconnected or numb: “I don’t really feel anything.”

  • Pushing people away, even when you want closeness: “I don’t need anyone.”

  • Carrying everything alone: “I can’t rely on anyone but myself.”

  • Overthinking and self-blame: “I shouldn’t feel like this. I should just cope.”

Even if life feels dark, even if happiness seems impossible or unfamiliar, even if you’ve only known contentment—or just getting by—you still have a glimmer of hope. That hope matters. And it’s enough to take a first step. Therapy can be that step: a space to slowly lower your walls, reconnect with yourself, and begin to feel human again.

Two hands reaching toward each other in a forest with sunlight filtering through trees.

If this resonates with you, you’re in the right place.

Often, as a result of these coping strategies, we end up isolated and alone. We try to convince ourselves that we don't need anyone or that we are better off on our own, but there is still a part of us that yearns for human connection and safety in another person. You may feel jealous or envious when you see others in long-lasting relationships and wonder "How do they do it?" And then the thoughts turn to, "What is wrong with me that I can't have that?"

Now cue all the negative beliefs: "I'm not good enough", "I'm unloveable", "I'm broken", "I'm unimportant", etc etc etc. There are so many negative beliefs we carry around and once they are triggered, here comes the coping strategies: "I don't need them anyway. I'm better off on my own." And the cycle continues.

You are good enough. You do deserve to be loved and cared for and protected. 

Let's break the cycle.

Two people holding hands in a handshake outdoors during daytime with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.

But how do we do that?

Together.

We process those experiences that have led to these beliefs. We get to the core of it, the root, and heal it from the inside out. 

I use various models to do this: EMDR, The Comprehensive Resource Model, and Internal Family Systems. I offer different models because I recognize that therapy and healing is not one-size-fits-all. Together, we will figure out which method and model works best for you. But in the end, you have final say. You are the expert on you.

Healing at your own pace,

but never alone.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiling, with a colorful, blurry garden background of flowers and greenery.

Hi, I’m Cindy.

At first glance, this might sound a little unusual for a therapy website—but it matters more than anything else. Research consistently shows that the single most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist.

That’s why I genuinely encourage you to take your time and “shop around.” Finding the right therapist isn’t about credentials alone—it’s about connection. You deserve someone you feel comfortable with, someone you can be real with. Therapy asks for vulnerability, and without a sense of safety and trust, it can start to feel frustrating, expensive, and unhelpful.

My approach is honest, grounded, and focused on getting to the root of what’s going on—not just managing symptoms. I want to help you understand yourself more deeply and heal in a way that lasts. I don’t believe in quick fixes or surface-level work. You shouldn’t have to keep returning to therapy to work through the same pain over and over again.

My goal is real, meaningful change—healing that creates relief not just for now, but for the long run.

If you’re looking for a therapist who is authentic, present, and truly invested in your growth, I invite you to explore the site and learn more. And when you’re ready, reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. It’s simply a chance for us to connect and see if working together feels like the right fit for you.

I am not for everyone.

Contact Me

Specializing in…

  • Clients with trauma might feel overwhelmed, fearful, or constantly on edge. They may experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares that make them feel as if they are reliving the traumatic event. Emotional numbness, guilt, shame, or difficulty trusting others are common. They might also have heightened startle responses, difficulty sleeping, or avoid people, places, or situations that remind them of the trauma. Their emotions can feel intense and unpredictable, ranging from anger to deep sadness.

  • Clients with dissociation might feel disconnected from themselves, their surroundings, or reality. They may experience a sense of detachment, as if they are watching themselves from the outside or feeling emotionally numb. Time may feel distorted, and memories might be fragmented or missing. Some might struggle with a sense of unreality, where people or places seem unfamiliar or dreamlike. This can be confusing, disorienting, and sometimes distressing.

  • Depression is often experienced as persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness. You may experience a loss of interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed, along with fatigue, low energy, and difficulty concentrating

  • Excessive worry, restlessness, or a sense of impending doom are just a few ways anxiety can be experienced. Some physical sensations are racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or muscle tension.