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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.

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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.

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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.

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explore by topic

EMDR for Complex PTSD: A Somatic and Parts-Based Approach to Deep Healing
IFS & Parts Work, EMDR Therapy, Complex PTSD Treatment, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay IFS & Parts Work, EMDR Therapy, Complex PTSD Treatment, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay

EMDR for Complex PTSD: A Somatic and Parts-Based Approach to Deep Healing

[5-min read] Explore how EMDR therapy can support healing from complex PTSD (CPTSD)—especially when combined with somatic therapy and parts work. Learn how EMDR helps reprocess core trauma, shift negative beliefs, and regulate the nervous system. If you're searching for a trauma therapist near me, this guide breaks down what to expect and how healing truly is possible.

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What No One Tells You About Trauma
Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Education, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy, Burnout Recovery Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Education, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy, Burnout Recovery Clara Mackinlay

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.

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What Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy—and Can It Help Heal Trauma?
Psychedelic Therapy, Ketamine Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, California Mental Health, Trauma Recovery Clara Mackinlay Psychedelic Therapy, Ketamine Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, California Mental Health, Trauma Recovery Clara Mackinlay

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy—and Can It Help Heal Trauma?

[5-min read] What is ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP)? Learn how this powerful approach combines ketamine with psychotherapy to support trauma healing, reduce anxiety, and create real change. If you're searching for ketamine therapy near me or ketamine therapy in Los Angeles, here’s what to know.

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Trauma: The Reason Why Meditation is so F*cking hard
Trauma Healing, Trauma Recovery, Mindfulness Practices, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Trauma Recovery, Mindfulness Practices, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay

Trauma: The Reason Why Meditation is so F*cking hard

[7-min read] If meditation makes you feel anxious, numb, or like you’re about to crawl out of your skin—you’re not doing it wrong, you’re likely carrying trauma. This blog explores why traditional meditation can be so hard for trauma survivors and how to make it work for your nervous system with somatic, trauma-sensitive practices that actually help you feel safe and grounded.

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“Big T” vs. “Little t” Trauma: The Spectrum of Experiences
Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy, High-Achiever Trauma Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Recovery, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy, High-Achiever Trauma Clara Mackinlay

“Big T” vs. “Little t” Trauma: The Spectrum of Experiences

[6-min read] Not all trauma looks the same—some wounds are loud and obvious, while others are quiet and cumulative. This blog breaks down the difference between ‘Big T’ and ‘Little t’ trauma, how both impact the nervous system, and why Somatic Experiencing® is a powerful healing tool for every point on the trauma spectrum.

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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.

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Somatic trauma Therapy that fits your needs & schedule