Heal your shadow
Virtual therapy for adults throughout California — EMDR, IFS, Brainspotting and Hypnotherapy
Morgan Nelson, LCSW
EMDRIA EMDR Certified Therapist™ Certified Brainspotting Therapist™ Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Welcome love
I’m Morgan
Have you tried to think your way out of it? Talked about it for years? Pushed through, white-knuckled, and still feel stuck?
That's not a failure of willpower. That's how trauma works — it lives in the brain and body, below conscious thought. Which is exactly why healing it takes more than talking.
I'm Morgan Nelson, LCSW — a trauma therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. I specialize in brain-based, body-forward healing using Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Brainspotting, and Hypnotherapy. Together we'll build a clear treatment plan, track your progress, and get you to the other side.
You will graduate from therapy. Lighter, stronger, and genuinely free.
I work with adults throughout California healing from:
Trauma and PTSD — including complex, developmental, and childhood trauma
Anxiety, panic, and chronic hypervigilance
Depression and emotional numbness
Sexual trauma — in a safe, paced, deeply respectful space
Adoption-related wounds and identity issues
Grief, loss, and major life transitions
Spiritual crisis and existential questioning
Addiction and compulsive patterns
Low self-worth and people-pleasing
Single-incident trauma — accidents, medical events, acute stress
Internal Family Systems (IFS) IFS helps you build a compassionate relationship with every part of yourself — even the ones that feel like obstacles. Rather than fighting your patterns we work with them, helping each part release the burden it's been carrying so you can move forward with more ease and self-trust.
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Recognized by the WHO and American Psychiatric Association, EMDR is one of the most researched trauma treatments available. As an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist I use it to help your brain finally process stuck memories — so they lose their charge and stop running your life.
Brainspotting Brainspotting finds the precise eye position where trauma is held in your brain and body — and stays there until it releases. It's a deeply somatic approach that often reaches places EMDR doesn't, particularly for clients who struggle to access traumatic memories verbally.
Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious — where early emotional memories and survival strategies live. Through regression, inner child healing, and somatic release, it creates lasting change that conscious insight alone can't deliver. You remain fully aware and in control throughout every session.
Why Choose Transformational Healing?
I believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Whether you are processing trauma, navigating spiritual growth, or stepping into a new chapter of life, I am here to guide you with compassion and expertise. My goal is to provide a supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to create the life you desire.
Areas of Expertise
Modalities
“When I started EMDR with Morgan, my panic attacks were so bad I couldn’t work. My panic attacks are gone and my anxiety is so much better. I work full time now and I have my life back.” -M.G.
“Morgan’s deep understanding of trauma and how it impacts the mind and body is evident in every session. She skillfully guides you through the process, creating a safe and supportive environment where healing can truly take place. Her ability to listen and adapt to my needs has made a significant difference in my progress” -J.H.
“Brainspotting sessions with Morgan have been truly transformative. I was feeling stuck for a long time, and through her compassionate guidance and deep expertise I was finally able to process emotions and experiences I hadn’t even realized were holding me back. The sessions felt both gentle and powerful, creating space for real breakthroughs. Morgan has a calming presence and an intuitive sense of what’s needed in the moment. I can’t recommend her enough—she’s a gift of a practitioner who truly facilitates healing.” -K.V.
Some kind words
EMDR and Brainspotting
— What's the difference?
Starting therapy to heal from trauma can feel overwhelming, but understanding different therapeutic options can help make the journey smoother. Brainspotting and EMDR are two powerful methods, each designed to address trauma, emotional distress, and more. This guide will help you understand how each works, what to expect, and how they can aid in your healing.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting (BSP), developed by Dr. David Grand, is based on the concept that "where you look affects how you feel." It involves finding “brain spots” — specific eye positions — that connect to unprocessed trauma or stress. By focusing on these spots with guidance from a therapist, you can process and release deep-rooted emotional pain. Brainspotting is highly effective for issues ranging from trauma to anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), created by Francine Shapiro, focuses on resolving traumatic memories by activating the brain’s natural healing processes. In EMDR sessions, clients recall distressing events while following side-to-side eye movements or other forms of sensory input. This approach helps reprocess painful memories, alleviating their emotional impact. Recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization, EMDR is a go-to method for PTSD but also addresses anxiety, phobias, and depression.
How Brainspotting Works
In a Brainspotting session, you and your therapist work together to find a “brain spot” that triggers a strong emotional or physical response. This spot becomes the focus, allowing your brain to process the underlying trauma or emotion. Many clients experience relief and insight even in the first few sessions, with the therapy adjusting to their unique needs and pace.
How EMDR Works
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach, targeting past, present, and future aspects of traumatic memory. Through guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps desensitize traumatic memories, making them feel less intense. EMDR’s predictable structure can offer reassurance and is effective for those with severe trauma, often bringing noticeable improvement within a few sessions.
Virtual Brainspotting and EMDR: Just as Effective as In-Person
Research has shown that virtual sessions for both Brainspotting and EMDR can be just as effective as in-person therapy, with outcomes and client satisfaction levels comparable to traditional settings. Studies indicate that these virtual approaches enable clients to process trauma and distress in the comfort of their chosen environment, which can enhance feelings of safety and accessibility for many clients. A 2021 study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research supports the efficacy of telehealth EMDR, demonstrating similar symptom reduction to in-person sessions. Other research in Frontiers in Psychology reports that virtual Brainspotting is effective for emotional processing and trauma resolution as well as pairing Brainspotting and EMDR. Both Brainspotting and EMDR are transformative therapies with unique strengths:
Brainspotting is flexible and often used for issues beyond trauma, including chronic pain and somatic symptoms.
EMDR is a well-researched, structured approach that is widely recognized for treating PTSD and similar conditions.
Choosing the Right Therapy
The choice between Brainspotting and EMDR often comes down to personal preference and specific needs. Brainspotting offers a flexible, intuitive experience, while EMDR’s structured approach can feel comforting and predictable. Both can be deeply healing, and discussing your goals with a trained therapist can help determine the best fit for you.
Choosing therapy is a step toward healing, self-discovery, and a better quality of life. Whether you choose Brainspotting, EMDR, or both, each session can help you move closer to lasting relief and inner peace.
Ready to feel
the shift?
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Join The Healing Community
Serving adults throughout California via secure telehealth Whether you are in Los Angeles, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange County, Sacramento, the Inland Empire, or anywhere else in California — we can work together. All sessions are virtual, private, and conducted on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Weekend appointments available.