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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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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.

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Why Are Private Practice Therapists So Against Taking Insurance?
From the Chair, Private Practice, Insurance & Therapy, California Mental Health, Trauma Recovery, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay From the Chair, Private Practice, Insurance & Therapy, California Mental Health, Trauma Recovery, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay

Why Are Private Practice Therapists So Against Taking Insurance?

[5-min read] Ever wonder why so many private practice therapists don’t take insurance? From low reimbursement rates and excessive paperwork to harmful limitations on your care, this post breaks down the real reasons therapists opt out—and how that choice actually protects your healing.

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Why is Therapy So Expensive?
From the Chair, Private Practice, Therapy Costs, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay From the Chair, Private Practice, Therapy Costs, California Mental Health, Somatic Therapy Clara Mackinlay

Why is Therapy So Expensive?

[6-min read] Ever wondered why therapy costs so much? This post breaks down the unseen time, training, and emotional labor that go into each session—plus why therapy is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your health, relationships, and long-term well-being.

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in-person

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online

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hybrid

Somatic trauma Therapy that fits your needs & schedule