Holistic Therapy for Women in California

Get to the root of your pain and reconnect with your body, heart, and spirit.

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING® | TRAUMA THERAPY | INNER CHILD HEALING | PSYCHEDELIC INTEGRATION

Clara Mackinlay headshot | Somatic Therapy Pasadena Holistic Therapy for Women Trauma Therapy California

Hi, I’m Clara Mackinlay

THERAPIST | HEALER | VERY RELATABLE HUMAN

I have plenty of labels and letters after my name that tell you what I do—you can read about that here. But first and foremost, I’m a human with a past, just like you. Maybe the biggest difference between us is that I’ve figured out some things you’re on the verge of learning for yourself. And maybe, I’ll have a hand in that process.

I believe that true healing honors all parts of who we are–mind, body, heart, and spirit. My trauma-focused, integrative approach blends somatic therapy, inner child/parts work, woo-woo-witchy magic, and plant wisdom to help you connect with your soul’s inner wisdom and your body’s natural healing ability, empowering you to move beyond managing symptoms and create real, lasting change.

THERAPIST

〰️

HEALER

〰️

COACH

〰️

THERAPIST 〰️ HEALER 〰️ COACH 〰️

Therapy Office Pasadena | Somatic Therapy Pasadena Holistic Therapy for Women Trauma Therapy California

What it’s like to work with me:

My private practice is built on the belief that true healing is holistic. Our experiences don’t just live in the mind—they’re embedded in our nervous system, held in the emotional and energetic body, and reinforced by lived experience.

I keep it real in my sessions. I’m not the therapist who just sits there nodding—I believe therapy should be collaborative. I'm deeply compassionate and loving—but I’ll also call you on your sh*t when you need it. I’m usually barefoot, and I cuss a lot. If that’s cool with you, hit the button below.

I like to get creative with healing because different people need different things, and therapy should be enjoyable. That’s why I offer some pretty cool ways to work through whatever’s getting in the way of you living your best life.

Somehow (I know how), the way I work helps women untangle the past, regulate their nervous systems, and step into lives that feel expansive, fulfilling, and aligned.

I work with high achievers, people-pleasers, perfectionists, workaholics, and chronic caregivers who feel disconnected and burned out—women who have tried ‘talk therapy’ and want something deeper and different that actually works.

I’m Deeply Relational, Super Somatic, and Kinda Woo

So if that’s your thing, go ahead and hit the button below.

Some common challenges I can help you overcome holistically:

  • PTSD & Complex PTSD

  • Childhood Trauma & Inner Child Healing

  • Insecure Attachment

  • Sexual Abuse Survivors

  • Emotional Dysregulation & Dissociation

  • Anxiety, Overthinking & Chronic Stress

  • Depression, Loss of Purpose, Joy & Creativity

  • Burnout & Emotional Exhaustion

  • Perfectionism & Self-Criticism

  • Low Self-Esteem & Negative Self-Talk

  • Shame, Guilt & Fear of Rejection

  • Fear of Abandonment & Feeling Unlovable

  • Family Estrangement

  • People-Pleasing & Boundary Setting

  • Major Life Changes (breakups, relocation, identity shifts)

  • Career Guidance & Sensing Into Purpose

  • Existential & Spiritual Exploration

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SERVICES & MODALITIES

ancient wisdom meets modern healing

In Person Therapy in Pasadena, CA | Virtual Therapy for California Residents

Individual Therapy

You, Your Self, and I. Individual therapy is tailored to your unique needs and goals; for women ages 18 and up.

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Couples Therapy

For couples who want to make their relationship feel as good as it looks online; in-person and virtual.

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Walk & Talk Therapy

For clients who enjoy being outdoors, moving their body, and grounding into the earth; Pasadena and Eastside.

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Trauma Therapy

Trauma lives in the body—and so does healing. Somatic Experiencing® helps you gently release stored stress and rewire your nervous system so you can move beyond talking about what happened and feel safe, grounded, and present instead.

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Somatic Trauma Therapy for Women | Trauma Therapy Pasadena | Holistic Therapy California | Somatic Experiencing Los Angeles

Inner Child Therapy

This work isn’t about “fixing” yourself—it’s about embracing all of who you are! Connect with the those younger parts that still carry pain, fear, or unmet needs and learn to listen to them with compassion, instead of judgement using Internal Family Systems.

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Cacao-Assisted Therapy

Ceremonial Cacao, when used in a therapy session, supports deeper heart-opening, emotional processing, and nervous system regulation. She enhances self-awareness, softens emotional barriers, and invites deeper connection—to ourselves and with others.

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Somatic Trauma Therapy for Women | Trauma Therapy Pasadena | Holistic Therapy California | Somatic Experiencing Los Angeles

Psychedelic Integration Therapy

Whether your experience was beautiful, challenging, or confusing, integration offers a space to explore its meaning, reconnect with your body, and ground your insights in a way that creates lasting transformation.

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Somatic Trauma Therapy for Women | Trauma Therapy Pasadena | Holistic Therapy California | Somatic Experiencing Los Angeles

Somatic Experiencing®

MOVE BEYOND THE MIND

Internal Family Systems

HEAL FROM A WHOLE PLACE

Somatic Yoga & Bodywork

MOVEMENT, TOUCH, & REIKI

Sacred Embodiment

INDIGENOUS PLANT WISDOM

Holistic & Integrative Healing for Women in California

I help women uncover the root cause of their pain by blending education, somatics, and spiritual wisdom. My work is grounded in evidence-based practices, personal experience, and deep connection—so healing isn’t something you just think about, but something you live and feel.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Absolutely. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming, culturally sensitive, and deeply informed by social justice principles. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and compassionate space for people of all identities and backgrounds. My approach acknowledges and respects the diverse experiences of my clients, including the impact of systemic oppression, privilege, and intersectionality on mental health and well-being.

    That being said, I am a cisgender, heterosexual woman with Hispanic, Indigenous, and Caucasian heritage who specializes in working with women. It’s important to me that you feel fully supported and seen in therapy. During a consult call, we can explore whether I am the right fit for your particular identity and needs. If I’m not the best match, I will gladly provide referrals to therapists who might be a better fit. I am committed to doing everything I can to help you find the perfect therapist for YOU.

  • I offer a 20-minute free consultation call to help us determine if we’re a good fit. Just like any long-term, intimate relationship, it’s important that we both feel comfortable and at ease from the start.

    During this call, you’ll have the opportunity to share some background about yourself, your current concerns, and what brought you to seek therapy. I’ll briefly introduce myself and provide an overview of my approach and the therapy process.

    We’ll also discuss fees, scheduling, and then check in at the end to see if we’d like to move forward with scheduling your first appointment.

  • Each person, relationship, and situation is unique, and every nervous system has its own pace—so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

    Many clients start to feel some relief within the first few sessions simply because they aren’t navigating life and complex issues by themselves anymore. That said, trauma therapy is often a longer process that requires commitment. Because somatic therapy works at the root rather than just managing symptoms, there’s usually more to unpack and process.

    My promise to every client is to work as efficiently as possible while still honoring the pace of your nervous system—because pushing too fast can actually make things worse. My ultimate goal is to help you become resourced, stabilized, and regulated enough that you no longer feel dependent on therapy (or me).

  • It depends. The length of your therapy process varies based on what you’re working through, your goals, and how your system responds to the work. Therapy is collaborative, and we can only move as fast as your nervous system allows—there are no shortcuts to healing (not even with psychedelics).

    Healing is a long-term commitment. Some people benefit from short-term therapy (a year or less), but many of my clients have histories of trauma that take longer to untangle. If you're looking for deep, lasting change, therapy isn’t just about showing up to sessions—it’s about what you do outside of them, too.

  • Individuals:
    $175 per 50-minute session
    $250 per 80-minute session
    $265 for Cacao add-on (90 min)

    I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots ($150) for individuals.

    Couples:
    $200 per 50-minute session
    $275 per 80-minute session
    $285 for Cacao add-on (90 min)

    Wondering why therapy is so expensive? Check out this blog post.

  • I do not accept insurance of any kind. To understand why, please read this blog.

    Typically PPO insurance plans reimburse for a portion of “out-of-network” services. If you have out-of-network coverage, payment for services is collected upfront and I will provide you with a monthly Superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Please verify your insurance benefits directly with your provider.

→ Explore a full list of FAQs here.

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  • “Clara is an incredibly intuitive and gifted therapist. Her healing journey sets her apart, and she creates a safe space for anyone seeking guidance from someone who gets it. She excels in healing trauma and fostering complete mind-body wellness.”

    L.S. | LMFT

  • “Clara is a dynamic somatic therapist dedicated to helping women and girls reconnect with their inner power. Her blend of knowledge, insights, and skill provide her clients with the support and guidance they need to make meaningful changes in their lives!”

    J.F | AMFT

  • “Clara brings a genuine sense of empathy and thoughtfulness to her work. Her ability to foster trust & understanding speaks to her dedication & skill. Her training in Somatic Experiencing creates a supportive space for meaningful & effective healing.”

    V.B. | LMFT

  • “Clara brings an intuitive, grounded presence that becomes apparent the moment you meet her. She is a compassionate and supportive guide for individuals navigating trauma, offering a safe space for healing and growth.”

    B.K. | APCC

  • “Clara is a compassionate and deeply present clinician. She has a great understanding of Somatic Therapy, Trauma Modalities, and Psychedelic Integration.”

    C.B. | LMFT