Beverly J. Scott L.M.F.T. - Pacific Coast Counseling
Pacific Coast Counseling. I’m Beverly J. Scott, L.M.F.T., a licensed marriage and relationship counselor serving Redondo Beach and the South Bay area since 1996. My practice specializes in compassionate, evidence-informed psychotherapy for couples, families, and individuals facing relationship strain, life transitions, grief, and the impacts of trauma. Whether you’re searching for “therapist,” “licensed therapist,” “marriage counselor,” “virtual therapy,” or “therapist near me,” Pacific Coast Counseling offers trusted, skilled talk therapy to help you create meaningful change and emotional well-being.
Why Trauma Therapy Matters
Unprocessed trauma contributes to a range of symptoms—intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional numbing, and relationship difficulties. Trauma therapy matters because it addresses these symptoms at their core, using intentional strategies that prioritize safety and gradual integration. Effective trauma therapy reduces distress, improves regulation, and restores the capacity for meaningful relationships and daily engagement.
Who benefits from trauma therapy
Symptom reduction
Survivors of physical or sexual assault, domestic violence, accidents, natural disasters, or medical trauma.
Improved regulation
Individuals with ongoing traumatic stress from caregiving roles, repeated exposure (first responders), or prolonged abuse.
People experiencing PTSD symptoms, dissociation, avoidance, or intense reactivity.
Clients whose relationships and daily functioning are affected by trauma responses.
Trauma therapy approach and phases
Stabilization and Safety
Goal: Build safety, emotional regulation, and coping resources.
Techniques: Grounding exercises, breathing and mindfulness strategies, sleep hygiene, and psychoeducation about trauma responses.
Timeline: Variable;
the stabilization phase ensures a strong foundation before trauma processing begins.
Processing and Integration
Goal: Carefully process traumatic memories to reduce their emotional charge and integrate them into the narrative of the client’s life.
Techniques: Trauma-sensitive narrative work, EMDR-informed principles where appropriate, exposure-based strategies when suitable, and cognitive reframing.
Therapist role:
Guide paced processing, monitor regulation, and adjust techniques to avoid retraumatization.
Consolidation and Relapse Prevention
Goal: Reinforce gains, develop long-term strategies to manage triggers, and rebuild relational safety.
Techniques: Skills maintenance, social support engagement, and planning for setbacks.
Specific methods and interventions
Trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral strategies: Target avoidance behaviors, negative beliefs, and reactivity.
Stabilization and grounding: Body-based techniques to regulate nervous system activation.
Narrative processing: Help clients create a coherent, less charged story about the traumatic event.
Integration of relational work: Trauma often affects attachment; therapy includes repair of interpersonal patterns and building safe connections.
Referral and collaboration: When specialized interventions (e.g., EMDR, somatic therapies) or higher levels of care are needed, I coordinate with trusted providers.
Complex trauma—repeated or prolonged traumatic experiences—requires a careful, longer-term approach. Treatment focuses on establishing safety, building identity and self-worth, addressing dissociation, and creating a reliable therapeutic relationship. The pace is collaborative and adjusted to the client’s capacity for integration.
Working with complex trauma
Trauma frequently undermines trust, emotional availability, and sexual intimacy. Therapy supports both the individual and their partner (if applicable) to understand trauma responses, develop supportive interaction patterns, and gradually repair relational ruptures.
Addressing trauma’s impact on relationships
Safety protocols and crisis support
Safety is paramount. During intake, we assess for current risk, suicidal ideation, or ongoing abuse. Crisis plans are developed when needed, and appropriate referrals are made to emergency or specialized services. Therapy includes building a list of grounding resources and when to seek immediate help.
Session details for trauma therapy at Pacific Coast Counseling.
Session logistics and format
Session length
50 minutes standard; longer sessions available for intensive processing when clinically indicated.
Frequency
Weekly sessions recommended during stabilization and processing phases.
Location
In-person at 1611 South Pacific Coast Highway #200b, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, or secure telehealth.
Fees
Private pay; superbills provided for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.
Common questions about trauma therapy
How long will trauma therapy take?
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some clients experience significant relief within 12–20 sessions; complex trauma may require longer-term work.
Will processing trauma make me worse before I get better?
Careful pacing and stabilization reduce the risk of worsening symptoms. We proceed only when adequate coping skills are in place.
Can trauma be fully healed?
While memories remain, their emotional intensity can decrease substantially, allowing you to live with greater freedom and less reactivity.
Do you treat dissociation?
Yes—trauma therapy addresses dissociative symptoms through grounding, stabilization, and phased processing.
Trauma therapy often complements couples or family therapy when relationships are affected.
With client consent, I coordinate care to ensure consistency and support across therapy contexts.
Integrating trauma work with other therapies
Getting started and intake process
Call (310) 544-0166 for a 20–30 minute phone consultation. The initial intake includes a thorough safety assessment and discussion of goals. We will collaboratively determine whether trauma therapy is the right fit and map a phased treatment plan.
Our office
Call us
(310) 544-0166
Opening hours
MON-FRI: 9am-7pm
SAT-SUN: Closed (available weekends for emergencies by arrangement)
Getting started and intake process
Call (310) 544-0166 for a 20–30 minute phone consultation. The initial intake includes a thorough safety assessment and discussion of goals. We will collaboratively determine whether trauma therapy is the right fit and map a phased treatment plan.
Closing thoughts
