Healing Starts with Feeling Seen and Understood
You’ve been carrying the weight of your past for too long. Maybe you feel stuck in painful relationship patterns, overwhelmed by emotions that come out of nowhere, or disconnected from yourself and the people around you. You’ve tried to fix it—therapy, self-help books, podcasts—but nothing seems to create lasting change. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep feeling this way. Healing from relational and complex trauma is possible, and I’m here to help.
Safe, Empowering Therapy for Deep Healing
I understand how difficult it can be to trust, set boundaries, or feel safe being vulnerable—especially when past experiences have left you feeling rejected or hurt. My approach is different. I focus on creating a safe, validating, and empowering space where you can explore the impact of your past and learn to feel secure in your relationships and within yourself. Therapy with me isn’t about reliving your trauma or following rigid treatment protocols—it’s about helping you reconnect with your inner strength and wisdom while addressing the patterns and pain keeping you stuck.
What Happens When the Past Still Lives in the Present
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Growing up with family dysfunction, neglect, or experiences of sexual trauma can deeply shape how you view yourself, your relationships, and your sense of safety in the world. You might feel stuck in cycles of shame, self-blame, or unhealthy relationship patterns, or find it difficult to trust others and stay connected to your own emotions and needs. These early wounds don’t have to define your future, but healing requires a safe and compassionate space to begin untangling their impact.
My therapeutic style is calm, deeply caring, and attuned to your unique goals and struggles. I use trauma-informed, attachment-based, and neurobiological approaches to help you process the pain of the past while building tools to feel more grounded and connected in the present. Together, we’ll explore the parts of you that helped you survive—whether through avoidance, perfectionism, or hyper-independence—and work toward integrating those parts so they no longer hold you back. I intentionally keep my practice small and specialized to provide the highest level of care for each client. Clients often describe therapy with me as grounding, validating, and transformative. While I offer support and validation, I’ll also gently challenge you to uncover hidden wounds and patterns that need healing. Our work together will transform pain into growth, help you build secure connections, and guide you toward a life where you feel more at ease with yourself and others. |
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TELEHEALTH THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, MICHIGAN, NEVADA, AND VERMONT
What Clients Say About Their Healing Journeys
"I finally feel safe, seen, and understood. Smadar helped me make sense of my pain and, for the first time, forgive myself—not just for what happened to me, but for how I’ve coped. Her compassion and insight have been life-changing." |
"Smadar has an incredible way of working with deep, formative trauma. Even when we’re not directly talking about the past, I can feel the healing happening. She’s helped me see connections I never understood before and start to truly move forward." |
"Working with Smadar has been nothing short of transformative. She’s taught me how to care for myself in ways I didn’t know were possible. I feel more grounded, more confident, and more connected than I ever have." |
"Smadar is truly remarkable. She’s helped me not only see myself differently but also change my life and relationships for the better. Her guidance and support have been the greatest gift, and I’ll always be grateful for her care." |
Two Decades of Specialized Experience in Trauma and Healing
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I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly two decades of experience helping clients heal from complex trauma. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I was one of two interns awarded a grant from the California Endowment’s Culturally Sensitive Intern Program. During my three years of clinical training at Family Service Agency in Santa Rosa, I provided culturally-appropriate therapy to Latinx immigrant clients in Spanish, laying the foundation for my culturally responsive practice.
I’m also a Certified Clinical Complex Trauma Professional and Domestic Violence Counselor, with years of experience facilitating court-mandated groups for women arrested for domestic violence against their partners. These women shared with me how unresolved early traumas, particularly sexual abuse, shaped their adult relationships and emotional regulation. Their stories and insights continue to inform my work, emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes of relational struggles. Beyond psychotherapy, I’ve served as a Clinical Supervisor at Fred Finch Youth Center in Oakland, focusing on childhood and developmental trauma in the foster care system. I’ve also led workshops on vicarious traumatization, therapist safety in community mental health settings, and cross-cultural competence, and have researched and written about women and anger. These experiences have deepened my understanding of trauma’s impact and my commitment to helping clients heal. |
Education, Licensure, & Certifications (Selected) |
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, California Lic. #47213
Florida Telehealth License: TPMF1286 Michigan MFT License: 4101007463 Nevada MFT License: 4829-R Vermont Telehealth License: 100.0134319TELE 2007 M.A., University of San Francisco 2000 B.A., Cal Poly Humboldt
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Professional Associations |
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Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
You don’t have to navigate this alone. With the right support, you can break free from the pain of the past and create the life and relationships you’ve been longing for. If you’re ready to take the first step, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to help you feel grounded, connected, and empowered in your life.
