Smadar Salzman Psychotherapy
  • Home
  • About
  • Specialties
    • Relational & Complex Trauma
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Childhood Emotional Neglect
    • Couples Therapy
    • Therapy for Therapists
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Client Portal

ONLINE THERAPY IN SAN FRANCISCO AND ACROSS CALIFORNIA

Childhood Trauma Therapy

Healing your past to transform your future.

Schedule Free Consultation
“I’m tired of repeating the same painful patterns in my relationships.”

“I feel stuck in the past, unable to move forward.”

“I struggle to trust myself or others, even when I want to.”

Sound familiar?

I GET IT.

Living with the effects of childhood trauma is overwhelming.

You might feel like the experiences you’ve tried so hard to forget keep showing up in your present—affecting your relationships, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.

Whether you’re balancing a career, family, major life transitions, or just trying to get through the day, it’s a lot to manage.  

Childhood trauma can make it even harder to navigate daily life.  

You might wonder why others seem to handle challenges with ease, while you’re left feeling stuck or weighed down by the past.  

It’s like everyone else has a roadmap for life, and you’re trying to piece yours together without all the instructions.  
Picture
Picture

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA CAN LEAVE YOU STRUGGLING WITH:

  • Intense emotional reactions to everyday situations

  • Difficulty trusting or connecting with others

  • Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame

  • Being stuck in a cycle of perfectionism or self-doubt

  • A sense of being “on edge” or disconnected from your own emotions​

    Over time, these challenges can leave you feeling isolated and exhausted, as if you're carrying a weight that others don’t seem to understand.

This isn’t the life you envisioned for yourself.

​The weight of your past can make daily life feel overwhelming.  

You’ve worked hard to move forward, yet the memories, emotions, or patterns tied to your childhood keep pulling you back.  

It’s exhausting to feel stuck in a cycle you can’t break, especially when it seems like others are moving through life with ease.  

Healing from childhood trauma isn’t easy, but it is possible. You don’t have to face this alone.  
Picture

YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

Childhood trauma leaves lasting imprints, but healing is possible.
Picture

IMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE YOU CAN:

  • Feel Safe Within Yourself
    ​Learn to quiet the inner critic and replace fear with self-compassion. Picture waking up each day without the burden of your past weighing you down.
  • Build Healthy Relationships
    Overcome the patterns that keep you stuck, and develop connections rooted in trust, understanding, and mutual respect.
  • Reclaim Your Confidence and Joy
    Shift from survival mode to living a fulfilling life, free to pursue your goals and nurture the relationships that matter most to you.

MY APPROACH

I use a complex trauma-informed, attachment-based approach to support healing and growth.

TOGETHER, WE’LL…

  • ​​Explore how past experiences impact your present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Rebuild a sense of safety in your body, mind, and relationships.
  • Develop tools to manage anxiety, build self-compassion, and navigate challenges with resilience.
Picture

Childhood trauma shapes how you see yourself and the world—but it doesn’t define you. You are not broken. You are healing.

FAQS ABOUT CHILDHOOD TRAUMA THERAPY:

How does childhood trauma affect adult relationships?

​Childhood trauma can shape how you view yourself, others, and relationships. It often leads to patterns like difficulty trusting others, fear of abandonment, people-pleasing, or avoiding closeness. These behaviors may be protective in childhood but can create challenges in adult relationships, such as conflict, disconnection, or repeating unhealthy dynamics. Therapy helps identify and shift these patterns, fostering healthier and more fulfilling connections.

Can therapy help with emotional dysregulation?

Yes, therapy can be highly effective for emotional dysregulation. Childhood trauma often disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, leading to intense reactions or difficulty managing stress. Therapy provides tools to calm your nervous system, identify emotional triggers, and respond more effectively to challenging situations. Over time, this work helps you feel more grounded and in control.

What if I don’t remember all the details of my trauma?

You don’t need to remember every detail of your trauma to benefit from therapy. Healing focuses on how the trauma affects you now—your emotions, behaviors, and relationships—rather than reconstructing every event. Therapy helps you process feelings, rebuild safety, and create a sense of control over your present and future, even if some parts of the past remain unclear.

How will I know if I’m making progress?
​

Progress may look different for everyone, but common signs include feeling more grounded, responding to stress with greater resilience, and noticing improvements in relationships and self-esteem. You might also find yourself feeling less “stuck” in the past and more able to focus on the present. Regular check-ins during therapy will help track your growth and adjust goals as needed.

How do we get started?

Navigate to the Contact page or click the button below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. You can learn more about Childhood Trauma therapy and see if we’d make a good team to work toward your goals.

YOUR PATH TO HEALING STARTS HERE.

You deserve to feel safe, connected, and whole.

Schedule a Consultation

Healing Relational & Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) in San Francisco, California  

Helping you live a more empowered and connected life after childhood trauma, sexual, abuse, and relationship trauma.
Picture

Smadar Salzman, MA, LMFT

​​Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
California License: LMFT 47213
Florida Telehealth License: TPMF1286
Michigan MFT License: 4101007463
​Nevada MFT License: 4829-R
Vermont Telehealth License: 100.0134319TELE

870 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Schedule Here

online therapy in San Francisco, THE BAY AREA, SILICON VALLEY, & Throughout California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, & Vermont.

Virtual therapy in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Danville, Livermore, San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Woodside, Redwood City, Atherton, Burlingame, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Sausalito, San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Novato, Napa, Sonoma, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, and San Diego.
​Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • About
  • Specialties
    • Relational & Complex Trauma
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Childhood Emotional Neglect
    • Couples Therapy
    • Therapy for Therapists
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Client Portal