Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Santa Monica by Dr. Harel Papikian

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes, events shake us to the core, leaving behind fear, pain, or confusion that lingers long after the moment has passed. Trauma can come from many sources—a serious accident, abuse, a sudden loss, childhood neglect, or a toxic relationship.

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of trauma. This means millions of people may be silently struggling with emotional wounds that impact their relationships, health, and daily functioning.

Healing from trauma takes time, but the right guidance can make a real difference. Trauma therapy in Santa Monica offers space to reflect, recover, and rebuild. It’s not about forgetting the past—it’s about understanding it, learning from it, and gently reclaiming parts of yourself that were lost or hidden for too long.

This blog explains how expert support, like that from Dr. Harel Papikian, can help individuals regain emotional balance and move forward with greater clarity and strength.

 

Understanding the Signs of Trauma and PTSD in Everyday Life

Trauma is a natural response to any deeply disturbing or stressful experience. It can affect your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and even your body. Some people may recover over time, but others may develop symptoms that stay for months or even years. These symptoms may include:

• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling numb or disconnected
• Avoiding people, places, or situations
• Irritability or anger
• Trouble focusing or remembering things

When trauma symptoms continue and interfere with daily life, it might be a sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s more common than many people realize, and it can affect anyone—children, adults, veterans, survivors of violence, and more. The important thing to know is: healing is possible.

Pro Tip: Internal avoidance of thoughts and memories, along with external avoidance of certain situations, places and people could be a sign of PTSD. Take notice and reach out for help.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Talk to a Therapist

If you find yourself avoiding certain people or places, feeling anxious or angry often, or struggling to connect with others, therapy may help. Even if you’re not sure whether your experiences “count” as trauma, it’s okay to talk to a therapist.

As Maya Angelou once said,

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Carrying emotional pain alone can be exhausting. Talking to someone trained to help can bring relief, clarity, and direction.

PTSD therapy in Santa Monica is especially helpful if you:

• Have experienced childhood abuse or neglect
• Are coping with past relationship trauma
• Lived through physical or sexual violence
• Carry warzone experiences and memories
• Have been in an accident or natural disaster
• Have lost a loved one or experienced a breakup
• Grew up in a high-stress or unstable home

It’s okay to begin therapy without having everything figured out. A desire to heal and reclaim your life is a great start. 

Starting Trauma Therapy: What You Can Expect

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re dealing with deep emotional pain. But you don’t have to do everything all at once. Dr. Harel guides you through a gentle and structured process, step by step. His trauma therapy model includes three key stages:

1. Awareness – You begin to understand how trauma has affected your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You gently explore past experiences and how they may still be influencing your life today.
2. Release – Together you will  work through the layers of difficult emotions around the traumatic events, as well as the stories and beliefs that have been created around these events. This is the phase focused on releasing and healing the past.
3. Mastery – Here the focus is reclaiming your power to live a life full of meaning and fulfillment. The focus of this stage is to learn the necessary tools and strategies to support the full version of you and your new life.

Pro Tip: Many people start noticing positive changes within a few weeks. For most, trauma therapy lasts 2–3 months with weekly sessions.

How Trauma Therapy Can Help You Feel Better

Healing from trauma is a process, but with the right support, real change is possible. Here’s how trauma therapy in Santa Monica can make a difference:

• Feel centered and grounded – Therapy helps you regain inner peace
• Improve sleep and focus – Many people find relief from nightmares, racing thoughts, and difficulty concentrating.
• Manage triggers – Therapy aims to disarm the old triggers and give the power back to you
• Rebuild trust in yourself and others – Gain the confidence to speak up, set boundaries, and reconnect with people in your life.
• Heal from the past – Address unresolved pain from childhood, past relationships, or traumatic events.
• Feel more like yourself again – Let go of fear and guilt, and move forward with greater peace and clarity.
• Strengthen relationships – Learn healthier ways to connect, communicate, and build emotional closeness.
• Notice positive changes over time – Many clients start feeling better within a few weeks of regular therapy.

Dr. Harel Papikian: A Caring and Experienced Therapist

Dr. Harel Papikian is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through trauma, emotional pain, and relationship challenges. He works with clients across California, including those in the Santa Monica area. Known for his warm, insightful , and down-to-earth approach, Dr. Harel creates a space where clients feel genuinely seen and understood.

He believes that every person’s story is unique. His work is rooted in compassion and curiosity, and he tailors each therapy plan to fit the individual’s specific needs. Drawing from effective methods such as cognitive therapy, hypnotherapy, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), he helps clients identify emotional patterns, process past experiences, and move forward with clarity, confidence and fulfillment.

If you’re searching for trauma therapy in Santa Monica, Dr. Harel offers thoughtful, personalized care designed to help you heal at your own pace and on your terms.

Dr. Harel is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming space for people from all walks of life. He works with individuals of all identities, including those in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, and those from multicultural backgrounds. His goal is to make therapy feel safe, empowering, and supportive.

Clients receive personalized care at every stage of their journey. Dr. Harel treats each person as a whole—someone with real potential for growth, healing, and meaningful change.

The Numbers Clearly Show Why Help Matters

Numbers don’t lie—millions of people are living with the lasting effects of trauma every day. Trauma doesn’t always leave visible scars, but it can quietly affect how you think, feel, and interact with the world around you.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 6% of adults in the U.S. will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. While not everyone develops PTSD, many still struggle with symptoms like sleep problems, emotional numbness, or avoiding certain people or places. These challenges can impact work, relationships, and overall well-being.

Unresolved trauma may also lead to anxiety, depression, or health problems . That’s why early help is key. Trauma therapy in Santa Monica offers a safe, effective way to heal, helping you rebuild balance, improve emotional strength, and move forward with greater clarity.

 

 

Start Your Healing Journey with Confidence

If you’re ready to feel better, taking that first step toward therapy can open the door to real change. You deserve peace of mind, healthy relationships, and the ability to enjoy life without the past holding you back.

Trauma therapy in Santa Monica offers a supportive space where healing becomes possible. Whether your pain is recent or something you’ve carried for years, meaningful growth can begin when you choose to take care of yourself.

Dr. Harel Papikian is here to help you move forward with clarity and strength. With his guidance, you can gain the tools to understand your emotions, rebuild trust, and create the life you want.

Reach out today to learn more about trauma and PTSD therapy in Santa Monica. A more grounded, peaceful version of yourself is within reach—and your path toward it begins right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is trauma therapy, and how does it help?

Trauma therapy helps you identify and release the  emotional pain caused by past experiences. It gives you tools to feel more in control, process difficult memories, and build healthier relationships. Over time, therapy can help you feel more grounded, confident, and fulfilled. .

2. How do I know if I need PTSD therapy?

If you’re often anxious, have trouble sleeping, avoid certain places, or feel stuck in painful patterns, PTSD therapy may help. You don’t need to have a specific diagnosis to benefit—feeling overwhelmed or emotionally distant can be a sign that it’s time to seek support.

3. What makes Dr. Harel Papikian’s approach unique?

Dr. Harel Papikian combines warmth, compassion, and proven methods like cognitive therapy, hypnotherapy, and NLP to create a personalized healing plan. He helps clients in Santa Monica work through trauma gently and effectively, so they can feel safer, more balanced, and empowered to move forward.

4. How long does trauma therapy usually take?

Everyone heals at their own pace, but many people begin to feel better after just a few weeks. On average, trauma therapy with weekly sessions lasts about 2 to 3 months. With consistency and support, real progress is possible in a short period.

5. Can I work with Dr. Harel even if I’m not sure where to start?

Yes. Dr. Harel understands that beginning therapy can feel uncertain. He meets you where you are and helps you explore what you’re feeling in a calm, supportive way. His goal is to guide you toward clarity and emotional strength, one step at a time.