Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Manhattan Beach, CA

Hello, and welcome. I'm Laura, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work with children, teens, young adults, older adults, and professionals. I specialize in helping individuals navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.

Mental health has long been treated as the forgotten side of healthcare — and for me, that's exactly why it matters so much. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serving clients across California through telehealth and in-person care, I specialize in helping people navigate depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD. I believe that when mental health struggles go unaddressed, everything else in life suffers — and that healing is not only possible, it's necessary. When I'm not supporting my clients, you'll find me out in nature, getting lost in a good movie, or discovering new music — small reminders of the joy and balance I encourage my clients to find for themselves.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have spent the past eight years walking alongside individuals as they navigate some of life’s most difficult chapters. I have had the honor of supporting survivors of trauma and abuse, individuals living with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, victims of crime, and those carrying the unique challenges of immigration-related stress.

I believe every person has a story that deserves to be heard with compassion and without judgment. My role is not to tell you who to become, but to help you reconnect with the strength, resilience, and wisdom that already exist within you. Together, we create a space where healing can unfold, wounds can be understood, and hope can begin to take root again.

Whether you are carrying the weight of past experiences, feeling overwhelmed by the present, or searching for a path forward, you do not have to walk that journey alone.

We often seek therapy when we're ready for change and part of our life has become unbalanced. A feeling of discontent, depression, or anxiety may have lasted a lifetime, or may have been initiated by a transitional change, such as loss of a relationship or career, or a yearning to grow beyond where we have been stuck. I welcome all parts of you, and will meet you where you are at in the journey towards wholeness.

I am a mental health clinician who takes a solution‐focused and empowering approach to therapy. I believe healing happens at your pace, and I strive to meet you exactly where you are. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and understood as we work together to explore challenges, build on your strengths, and move toward meaningful change.

I work with individuals and families across the spectrum, as well as professionals navigating major life transitions. As a Psychology Professor and Senior Lecturer, I provide a high-level clinical space for those who feel "stuck" in their current narrative. Whether you are exploring your identity, navigating a career shift, or seeking LGBTQ+ affirming care, my ideal clients are those ready to build a life that feels authentic, sustainable, and truly yours.

I’m a trauma-informed therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, burnout, and life transitions. I identify as a Latina therapist and a child of immigrants.