Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that puts your safety, trust and choice at the center of care, not a specific technique on its own. At Silver Lining Recovery in Huntington Beach, it shapes how every session is paced, so you decide what to share and when, with support for PTSD, anxiety and depression linked to past trauma.
A framework for how care is delivered
In person, Huntington Beach
Set by you, not a fixed agenda
EMDR, CBT and somatic approaches
Trauma-informed therapy is not one specific technique. It is a framework for how therapy is delivered, built on the understanding that trauma affects the nervous system, relationships and sense of safety, not just the presenting symptom.
The question a trauma-informed therapist asks is not what is wrong with you. It is what happened to you, and how can we support your healing from there.
This approach fits people who have experienced abuse, grew up in a chaotic or unsafe environment, or carry PTSD, anxiety or depression linked to past trauma. It also fits anyone who has left therapy before feeling rushed, triggered or misunderstood.
Trauma-informed care is the foundation, and trauma-focused methods such as EMDR, CBT and somatic therapy are the tools built on top of it. What sets a trauma-informed approach apart is not which tool is used, but the pacing, consent and compassion behind it.
It is available across our therapeutic modalities and every level of care we offer.
Psychiatric evaluation and medication oversight happen inside the program, not through an outside referral.
Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, TriWest/TRICARE, Aetna, Anthem, Health Net and more. Verification is free and takes about two minutes.
The same clinicians stay with you as your level of care changes. Nobody re-explains their history.
A clinician can talk through what you are carrying in about fifteen minutes, at whatever pace feels comfortable. Checking your coverage first costs nothing.
These are not clinical guidelines applied from a distance. They shape how every session is paced and led.
Your emotional and physical safety is the top priority. Therapy should never feel threatening or overwhelming.
You are always informed about what is happening in your sessions. No surprises, no pressure.
Knowing that others have walked a similar path, and found healing, can help on its own.
You are a partner in your own recovery, not a patient being treated. Your input shapes the plan.
You decide what to share, when to share it, and how far to go. Your boundaries are always respected.
Care that is aware of your identity, background and the broader systems that affect your wellbeing.
Most virtual outpatient programs are therapy only and send anything medical elsewhere. Ours is run by the same physicians, nurses and clinicians as the Huntington Beach program, over a secure HIPAA-compliant platform.
Which level of care your plan covers depends on your specific benefits and medical necessity. Verification is free, takes about two minutes, and carries no obligation to enroll.
Five steps, all set to your pace rather than a fixed agenda.
We collect the basics and explain how a trauma-informed approach works here. No obligation and no pressure to share details yet.
Your therapist checks in regularly to make sure you feel grounded, rather than moving straight into your history.
You decide what to share and when. Approaches are matched to what you are working on, not applied from a fixed protocol.
Sessions focus on building coping skills and understanding how trauma shows up in your body, at a pace you set.
Your plan is revisited as you go, always with your input, never decided for you.
Call for a free, confidential consultation. A clinician will explain how a trauma-informed approach would fit your situation and which level of care it sits inside.
No single approach or level suits everyone. Most people receive a combination, set at assessment and adjusted as treatment progresses.
Most people receive a combination rather than a single therapy. Your clinician matches approaches to what you are working on, and adjusts as treatment progresses.
| Approach | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Group and individual | Changing the thought patterns that keep symptoms going |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy | Group and individual | Distress tolerance and emotion regulation when feelings overwhelm |
| EMDR | Individual, eight stages | Processing specific traumatic memories that still carry a charge |
| Trauma-Informed Therapy | The whole program | The framework every session operates in, so care does not re-traumatize |
| Internal Family Systems | Individual | Working with the conflicting parts of yourself that trauma created |
| TMS Therapy | In clinic, alongside your program | Depression that has not responded to medication and therapy |
| Individual Therapy | One-on-one, every level | The private work that group cannot do, with your own clinician |
| Group Therapy | Groups capped at eight | Practicing skills with people doing the same work, in a small room |
| Meditation Therapy | Alongside clinical sessions | Managing stress, cravings and the physical side of anxiety |
| Faith-Based Track | Optional, alongside the same program | Clients who want their faith included, with nothing lost by declining |
Every program here is run by licensed, credentialed clinicians. These are the people you will actually see.
William Sanchez
LMFT
SL
Sarah Litwiller
Primary Therapist, LCSW
CT
Christian Tiedge
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Kendra McCarthy
LVN
Trauma-informed care is the framework. These are some of the specific methods it often pairs with.
Structured reprocessing for traumatic memories, delivered at your pace.
Identifying and changing the thought patterns trauma leaves behind.
Where trauma and substance use are treated as one problem.
Trauma-focused care for PTSD and complex PTSD.
"Silver Lining is a great place for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. I’ve been here for both. Every single person from staff to clinicians to ownership all genuinely care and make the time to show they care. Programming is thoughtful, informative, and very engaging. There is much more thought into treating the root cause than the symptom."
"The support and real care they give is unmatched. I can say without any doubt that the people that make up this community have a calling to serve and support those of us trying to heal and find a new way of life. Today I’m over five months clean, I have a career that feeds my energy, and a community of people that help me stay accountable."
"Silver Lining Recovery is a fantastic program for anyone seeking treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse. Barmak and his staff were a delight to work with. Highly recommended."
Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate approach to mental health care that prioritizes emotional safety, trust, and empowerment for individuals who have experienced trauma.
No. Trauma-informed therapy honors your readiness and respects your boundaries. You decide what to share and when.
Yes. It creates a safe space for healing and often serves as the foundation for evidence-based trauma treatments like EMDR.
Trauma-informed care is a framework for how therapy is delivered. Trauma-focused therapy involves specific techniques to process traumatic memories.
Look for therapists who list trauma training in their specialties, or contact a center, like ours, that is grounded in trauma-informed care.
Medically Reviewed By
Last reviewed: September 24, 2026
Dr. Atul Grover, MD, is Medical Director at Silver Lining Recovery. He is board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Anesthesiology, trained at UCLA, and is affiliated with Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. He oversees medical care including medication-assisted treatment and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Healing does not have to move faster than you are ready for. Call to speak with our team, or verify your benefits first if that feels like the easier place to start.
Medical disclaimer. This page is for general information only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It does not create a provider and patient relationship. Always speak with a qualified health professional about your own situation. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
Program hours, session counts and level of care recommendations described here are typical ranges. Your own plan is set by a licensed clinician during assessment. Insurance coverage varies by plan and by medical necessity.
