Trauma Therapy in Santa Monica, CA
Do painful memories, body-based reactions, or long-standing patterns keep pulling you back into survival mode? You may understand why you feel the way you do and still find that your body reacts as though the danger is present.
As a trauma therapist serving Santa Monica, Jacklynne Marder offers heart-centered trauma therapy that bridges spirituality and neuroscience to support healing across the mind, body, and nervous system. Her evidence-based, body-centered approach is tailored to your history, needs, and readiness, helping you reconnect with your body, your Self, and a more sustainable sense of calm.
What Is Trauma, and How Does It Show Up?
Trauma can follow one overwhelming event or develop through repeated experiences of fear, loss, instability, or feeling unsupported. Even after the experience has passed, your mind and body may continue responding as though the danger is still present.
Trauma may show up as:
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Hypervigilance or always feeling on edge
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Flashbacks or intrusive memories
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Emotional numbness or shutting down under stress
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Difficulty trusting or feeling close to others
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Self-criticism or perfectionism
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Chronic tension or difficulty resting
You may understand these patterns intellectually and still find them difficult to change. They are often protective responses your mind and body developed to help you cope. With compassionate support, these responses can gradually soften, creating more space for safety, connection, and choice.
Who Can Benefit from Trauma Therapy?
Jacklynne works with adolescents and adults navigating experiences such as:
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Single-incident trauma, including accidents or sudden loss
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Complex and developmental trauma
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Childhood instability, neglect, or relational wounds
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Grief and loss
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Long-standing effects of feeling unsafe, unsupported, or disconnected
You do not need a formal diagnosis for your experience to be worthy of care. Therapy begins with understanding your history and how it continues to affect your emotions, relationships, body, and daily life.
The Neuroscience and Spirit Behind Trauma Healing
Jacklynne believes we all carry an innate capacity for healing. Her approach brings together neuroscience, body-based therapies, and spirituality to support lasting change while honoring each client's unique pace and experience.
Sometimes you understand an experience intellectually, but your body still reacts as though it is happening now. Jacklynne addresses both levels of healing. Depending on your needs, therapy may involve processing difficult memories, exploring protective patterns, strengthening emotional resources, or working with body sensations in the present moment.
Her approach may integrate EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems therapy, somatic therapy, trauma-informed yoga therapy, mindfulness, and spiritually attuned practices when they feel meaningful to the client. No single method is forced. Treatment is adjusted to your needs, comfort, and pace.
Trauma Therapies for Santa Monica Clients
Each therapy may be used independently or as part of an integrated treatment plan, and each offers a different pathway to healing. Many clients benefit from integrating more than one approach over time as their needs and goals evolve.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy uses guided eye movements, tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation to support the processing of distressing memories. It has a substantial research base for PTSD and may also help with single-incident trauma, anxiety, grief, and painful memories.
If certain memories, situations, or beliefs continue to shape how you respond today, EMDR Therapy in Santa Monica offers a structured way to process those experiences and reduce their emotional impact.
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Internal Family Systems therapy helps you understand the inner parts that carry fear, pain, self-criticism, or protective roles. It may be helpful for inner conflict, perfectionism, emotional avoidance, and patterns connected to complex or developmental trauma.
If conflicting thoughts, emotions, or protective patterns feel difficult to understand, IFS Therapy in Santa Monica can help you approach them with greater curiosity, compassion, and clarity.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy works with physical sensation, breath, grounding, and present-moment awareness. It may support clients who understand their experiences intellectually but still struggle with tension, shutdown, anxiety, or body-based reactions.
When stress or trauma continues to show up through tension, shutdown, or other body-based reactions, Somatic Therapy in Santa Monica can support greater connection between the mind, body, and nervous system.
Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy
Trauma-informed yoga therapy uses gentle, invitational movement to support body awareness, choice, and self-trust. The focus is not on performing poses correctly but on noticing sensations and rebuilding a felt sense of safety at your own pace.
For clients interested in bringing gentle movement and body awareness into psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy in Santa Monica can support choice, self-trust, and a renewed sense of safety within the body.
Finding the Right Approach
Some clients already feel drawn to EMDR therapy, IFS therapy, or another approach. Others know they need support but are unsure where to begin.
During the free 15-minute consultation, Jacklynne learns what is bringing you to therapy, answers initial questions, and considers whether her approach may be a good fit. Treatment planning continues during the first sessions as she learns more about your history, goals, and needs.
You are not expected to choose the right treatment method by yourself. Jacklynne may recommend one therapy or a combination of approaches based on your needs, comfort, and goals.
Meet Jacklynne Marder, LMFT
Jacklynne Marder is a licensed marriage and family therapist, California License No. 131000. She earned her master's degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and has advanced training in EMDR, Attachment-Focused EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, mindful somatic psychotherapy, and trauma-informed yoga.
Her work draws from Western psychotherapy, trauma science, mindfulness, yoga, parts work, and body-based healing. Her own healing experience also informs the heart-centered, authentic, and curious presence she brings to the therapeutic relationship.
Trauma Therapy for Santa Monica
Jacklynne provides secure virtual therapy for clients throughout Santa Monica and across California. In-person sessions are available at her Los Angeles office, conveniently located near Santa Monica and Brentwood for clients who prefer to meet in person.
What to Expect When You Begin
New clients are invited to begin with a free 15-minute consultation. This allows you to ask questions, briefly share what is bringing you to therapy, and determine whether the practice feels like the right fit.
Jacklynne provides a superbill that may be submitted for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so clients should confirm their benefits directly with their insurance provider. Contact the practice for current session fees and scheduling information.
Begin Your Journey Toward Healing and Wholeness
You do not have to carry the weight of the past without support. Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and explore whether Jacklynne's heart-centered, integrative approach feels right for you.
Frequently asked questions
TESTIMONIALS
"I’ve been to a lot of different therapists and felt exhausted by talk therapy, yet still stuck. I was referred to Jacklynne when I expressed that I was interested in a more somatic approach, and I’ve found her use of IFS really helpful in reframing my depression. If you’re stuck in talk therapy and you want to go deeper and “do the work”, Jacklynne’s intuition, compassion, creativity and resourcefulness will help you to unpack and gain more insight into yourself and what you need!"
"I was immediately impressed by the thoughtful and incisive questions Jacklynne asked. She has a kind presence and I felt very comfortable sharing with her. She presented me with tools in a clear and concise way which I appreciate because I have a short attention span. When I asked questions about the application of the tools, she gave clear and quick feedback. I left my session impressed by her listening skills, her observations and helpful recommendations. I felt a sense of relief after the session and I couldn’t stop smiling. It felt good to feel comfortable sharing things I usually keep to myself. I look forward to working with her."
"I am so happy I found Jacklynne. She is an incredible therapist who really cares about my well being. I am a survivor of complex trauma. Jacklynne not only provides a compassionate and safe space, but she also helps me with somatic tools to regulate my nervous system. I am so grateful to have her in my corner. I could not recommend her more."