A woman with long dark hair and a white sleeveless turtleneck top sitting on a green chair in front of a white wall with a macramé wall hanging and a potted plant in the background.

a moment of clarity

All things trauma healing …

One of my passions as a trauma therapist is educating others on how life experiences shape the nervous system, influence patterns of behavior, and impact our sense of self. In this blog, I share tools, concepts, and mind-body practices that support trauma recovery, emotional resilience, and deep, embodied healing.

Must reads

Blog
Trauma Therapy Happens in Phases—And Slower Really Is Faster
Trauma Therapy Happens in Phases—And Slower Really Is Faster

[6-min read] Learn how trauma therapy works using a 3-phase approach rooted in Somatic Experiencing (SE), IFS therapy, and EMDR. Discover why slower is faster when healing from trauma, and what real trauma-informed therapy looks like—whether you're seeking parts work, inner child healing, or a trauma therapist near you.

Read More →
What No One Tells You About Trauma
What No One Tells You About Trauma

[5-min read] Trauma isn’t what happened to you—it’s what happened inside of you as a result. If you’ve ever felt stuck, shut down, anxious, or chronically overwhelmed, your nervous system might be holding onto more than you realize. This blog unpacks what trauma really is, why it gets stored in the body, and how somatic therapy helps you heal it at the root.

Read More →
Why Talking About Trauma Won’t Heal It—And Here’s What Does.
Why Talking About Trauma Won’t Heal It—And Here’s What Does.

[6-min read] You can’t think your way out of trauma—because trauma doesn’t live in the mind, it lives in the body. If you’ve been talking about the same wounds in therapy for years without feeling real change, this blog explains why that is—and what actually works when it comes to healing trauma at the root.

Read More →

explore by topic

Somatic Experiencing: Therapy for Nervous System Regulation
Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Therapy, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health, Nervous System Regulation Clara Mackinlay Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Therapy, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health, Nervous System Regulation Clara Mackinlay

Somatic Experiencing: Therapy for Nervous System Regulation

[4-min read] If talk therapy hasn’t brought the relief you’re looking for, your body might be holding the key. Somatic Experiencing® is a gentle, body-based approach that helps regulate the nervous system, release stored trauma, and restore your natural capacity for calm and resilience. This blog explains how it works—and why it might be the missing piece in your healing journey.

Read More
How Does a Regulated Nervous System Look & Feel?
Trauma Healing, Nervous System Regulation, Somatic Therapy, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Nervous System Regulation, Somatic Therapy, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health Clara Mackinlay

How Does a Regulated Nervous System Look & Feel?

[4-min read] We often talk about what dysregulation feels like—but what about when your nervous system is actually working the way it’s meant to? This blog explores what nervous system regulation looks and feels like in your body, mind, relationships, and worldview—so you can start to recognize true safety, presence, and balance from the inside out.

Read More
What Happens to Your Nervous System During a Psychedelic Experience?
Psychedelic Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Nervous System Regulation, California Mental Health Clara Mackinlay Psychedelic Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Nervous System Regulation, California Mental Health Clara Mackinlay

What Happens to Your Nervous System During a Psychedelic Experience?

[6-min read] Psychedelic experiences can bring profound insight—but they can also flood the nervous system. This blog explains what happens in your body during a journey, how to recognize signs of nervous system overload, and why Somatic Experiencing® is a powerful tool for integration and long-term healing.

Read More
null

in-person

A closed silver MacBook laptop resting on a light-colored fabric sofa with colorful cushions in the background.

online

A young woman with curly red hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and pants, sitting cross-legged in a white armchair, using a laptop in a cozy, well-decorated room.

hybrid

Somatic trauma Therapy that fits your needs & schedule