Understanding your responses
Make sense of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses with curiosity rather than shame.
Trauma-informed therapy in Pacifica
Trauma Therapy in Pacifica, CA
You may understand that something happened in the past, while still feeling its effects in your body, relationships, or everyday choices. Therapy can offer a steady place to understand those patterns and move toward more choice and safety.
A grounded place to begin
Therapy with Brenda Hidalgo (she/her/they), AMFT
Collaborative, trauma-informed care in Pacifica and online throughout California.
Meet BrendaIs this for you?
Support that starts with your actual life.
- People living with the effects of a single event or ongoing relational trauma
- Adults who feel on guard, shut down, overwhelmed, or disconnected
- People noticing trauma patterns in relationships, boundaries, or self-worth
- Clients who want support without being rushed into retelling everything
How we can work
A collaborative approach to meaningful change.
Brenda uses a collaborative, trauma-informed approach that can include parts work and somatic awareness. The pace is guided by your capacity and goals; you remain in charge of what you share and when.
Building steadiness
Focus on grounding, emotional regulation, boundaries, and noticing what helps you feel more present.
Changing old patterns
As safety grows, practice new ways of relating to yourself and the people around you.
Practical details
Starting can be simple.
- In-person sessions are available in Pacifica, with telehealth available throughout California.
- Individual sessions are 45-50 minutes and cost $130; a sliding scale is available.
- Brenda Hidalgo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #160629, practicing under supervision.
Take the next step
You do not have to figure it out alone.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to describe the trauma in detail?
No. Therapy can begin with what you are experiencing now. You and Brenda can decide together what feels useful and appropriate to discuss.
What can trauma therapy help with?
It may help with anxiety, emotional shutdown, shame, sleep disruption, relationship patterns, boundary difficulties, and feeling disconnected from yourself.
Is trauma therapy only for PTSD?
No. People seek trauma-informed therapy for many experiences and patterns, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.
How do I get started?
Use the contact form to request a consultation and share a brief sense of what brings you in.