EMDR for childhood and complex trauma · In person and online
Trauma Therapy in San Diego
For adults ready to heal what's underneath, not just manage it.
Healing what you learned to survive
Trauma isn't only what happened. It's what your mind and body learned in order to get through it. Those lessons often outlast the situation that created them, and they can quietly shape how you love, work, rest and see yourself.
I'm Dr. Laura-Beth Fitzpatrick, a licensed clinical psychologist and EMDRIA Certified Therapist™. I specialize in trauma therapy for adults, especially the lasting effects of difficult or unstable childhoods, attachment wounds and complex PTSD. I see clients in person in Bankers Hill, San Diego, and online throughout California and Hawai'i.
How trauma can show up
Many of the people I work with wouldn't describe themselves as "traumatized." They're capable, self-aware and often the person everyone else leans on. And yet some things keep happening:
- Relationship patterns that repeat, even when you can see them coming
- A harsh inner critic, or a sense of never being quite enough
- Feeling on edge, shut down, or both, without a clear reason
- Over-functioning: perfectionism, people pleasing, hyper-independence
- Strong reactions that feel bigger than the moment
- Difficulty trusting others, or trusting your own instincts
- Understanding exactly where it comes from, and still feeling stuck
If this sounds familiar, it doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It often means a part of you adapted to survive, and it's still doing its job.
What I help with
Childhood and developmental trauma
Growing up with instability, emotional neglect, conflict, addiction or a parent who wasn't safe or available.
Attachment wounds
The ways early relationships shape how you connect, trust and feel worthy of love.
Complex PTSD
The effects of repeated or long-term stress, rather than one single event.
Single-incident trauma
Accidents, assaults, medical events or other experiences that changed how safe the world feels.
Relational and intergenerational patterns
The things you were handed and don't want to pass on.
How I work
My approach combines EMDR therapy with depth-oriented, attachment-informed therapy. We pay attention to the patterns you can see today and to the earlier experiences that taught your nervous system to respond that way.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a research-supported therapy for trauma. It helps the brain process painful memories so they feel less charged and less present. In my practice I use eye movements and tapping. I don't use light bars or tones.
We never rush into the hardest material. Trauma work starts with building enough safety and steadiness that processing feels manageable, and we go at a pace that respects your system.
What to expect
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Step 1: Free 15-minute consultation
We talk briefly about what's bringing you in and whether we're a good fit.
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Step 2: Intake session (60 minutes)
I get to know your history, your goals and what you've already tried.
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Step 3: Preparation
We build skills and resources so you feel grounded before and after harder sessions. You can read more on Getting Ready for EMDR.
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Step 4: Processing
Using EMDR and depth-oriented work, we target the memories and beliefs that keep the old patterns running.
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Step 5: Integration
We notice what's shifting in your daily life and relationships, and strengthen it.
Most clients meet weekly for 55-minute sessions. For people who want focused progress in a shorter time, I also offer EMDR intensives. You can find session rates on the Fees page.
Common questions
Do I need to remember my trauma clearly for therapy to help?
No. Many people have patchy or vague memories, especially from childhood. We can work with what shows up now, such as a feeling, a body sensation or a recurring belief, and follow it from there.
I've done talk therapy before. How is this different?
Insight is valuable, but it doesn't always change how you feel or react. EMDR works with how memories are stored, which is why people often notice change that talking alone didn't bring. We still talk, and insight still matters. It just isn't the only tool.
Is trauma therapy going to be overwhelming?
It shouldn't be. We build stability first and move at a pace you can handle. Part of the work is learning that you can feel something difficult and stay okay.
Can trauma therapy be done online?
Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions, including EMDR, to adults anywhere in California and Hawai'i. Many clients find it easier to settle into the work from a familiar space.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It depends on your history and goals. Some people work on one specific event over a few months. Others are healing patterns that go back to childhood and stay longer. We'll talk openly about progress as we go.
You don't have to keep carrying this alone
If you're ready for something deeper to shift, I'd love to hear from you. Book a free 15-minute consultation, or call or text (858) 215-2545.