Larisa A. Traga, LCSW, CCDS, MAC
EMDRIA Approved Consultant EMDR Consulting Trainer MINT Certified Trainer Founder of Empower TCT |
Larisa Traga is a California-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), master addiction counselor (MAC), with a Co-occurring disorders specialization (CCDS), providing training, supervision, consultation and therapy to the Santa Barbara county community and beyond. Larisa has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY, Binghamton and a Master's in Social Work from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
She is an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) approved EMDR Certified therapist, Consultant and a Member of International Network of Trainers for Motivational Interviewing (MINT). Larisa has been an adjunct psychology and human services instructor at Allan Hancock College since 2015, teaching courses such as Psychology, Basic Counseling Skills, Crisis Intervention and Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction. She has also worked countywide with the County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness Department since 2009 with individuals with co-occurring disorders, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), Transitional Age Youth and adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, drug court involved teens and adults and individuals experiencing crisis. Throughout her tenure at the County of Santa Barbara, as a Practitioner and Team Supervisor, she provided numerous trainings on Process Improvement using NIATx, Motivational Interviewing, Team Building and was a lead change agent participating in system wide changes initiated by the Board of Supervisors in 2013. In her private practice Larisa specializes in culturally sensitive individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults using an eclectic approach, including EMDR, CBT, MI (Motivational Interviewing), TRM and mindfulness techniques. Larisa treats a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, physical/sexual abuse, PTSD, self-esteem issues, workplace harassment, and more. In addition, Larisa provides high quality supervision and consultation services to MSW/MFT trainees working towards their Licensure, as well as EMDR Certification with EMDRIA. Finally, Larisa is a trainer and conducts public and private training on Evidence Based Practices, such as EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, NIATx process improvement, MATRIX model, and consultations and technical assistance on use of EMDR, and crisis debriefings using A-tip. |
Tamara
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Bio coming Soon!
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Elisa A. Gottheil
Psychologist EMDR Certified Therapist Consultant in Training |
Elisa A. Gottheil is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Santa Barbara, with 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. Elisa is an EMDR certified therapist as well as a hypnotherapist. Her expertise includes forensic evaluations, training development, and substance use disorders. Since 2006 she has taught several topics at the Addictive Disorders Certification at Santa Barbara City College. Presently her focus is on supporting adults with mental health issues ranging from work related stressors to serious depression. She particularly appreciates helping people with addictive disorders attain recovery.
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Leah L. Lopeteguy-Hoffman, LMFT, LPCC
EMDR Certified Therapist EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training |
Leah Lopeteguy-Hoffman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who is passionate about people and the healing profession. Leah began her
post-graduate professional journey in 2013, working with a comprehensive clinical care team supporting the aging and elderly adult population as a Behavioral Health Therapist. In 2014, she transitioned to working with diverse educational teams as an Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) therapist, providing individual, group, and family counseling for grades K-8. Prior to her transition into private practice in 2019, she worked as a Clinical Services Supervisor with Turning Point of Central CA, working with the federal and state criminal justice populations providing mental health counseling, substance use treatment, clinical case management oversight and support, and supervision. In her private practice, Leah specializes in diversity informed individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults using a collaborative and client centered approach including Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral and EMDR therapies. Leah treats a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum and neurodivergence, and trauma. Leah's most recent accomplishments include Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and she is excited to engage in work as an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT) for newly trained, and certification seeking, EMDR clinicians. Leah holds a Master of Science in Counseling degree from University of Phoenix; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from California State University, Bakersfield; and, an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Bakersfield College. |
Yvonne Nelson, LCSW, PMH-C
EMDR Certified Therapist EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training (CIT) |
Yvonne Nelson is bilingual (Spanish and English speaking) and bicultural licensed clinical social worker. She has dedicated over 30 years of her professional career to providing mental health services to women, children, and families in a variety of different settings. Her work has been focused in the treatment of complex trauma in children and adolescents, supporting and enhancing attachment in parent and child relationships, and perinatal mental health. In her day job, she oversees all of the North County clinical services for a community based agency in Santa Barbara and she also has a private practice.
Yvonne's work is informed through a multi-cultural lens, her own perinatal experience, attachment theory, a developmental trauma framework, and a psychodynamic approach. She believes healing happens in the context of relationships and community. She loves to learn, support, and guide other clinicians and has been blessed to work alongside, and learn from, Larisa during her EMDR training, certification, and now as a consultant in training and coach in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Yvonne has received advanced EMDR training in attachment focused EMDR, Parts Work, Perinatal EMDR, and Dyadic EMDR. Yvonne is also a consultant in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and certified in perinatal mental health. She is available to provide consultation in any of these areas. Fun Fact: Yvonne loves spicy food and dancing! |
Chandra Michelle Tracy
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist EMDR Certified Therapist Consultant in Training |
Chandra Michelle Tracy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Yoga Therapist and Registered Yoga Instructor. She just recently shifted into Private Practice in 2017, after working in Crisis management and Crisis Stabilization. In private practice, Chandra focuses on the modalities of Mindfulness, Somatic Psychology and EMDR, finding that EMDR is the most effective treatment for healing from trauma, and that Somatic psychology and mindfulness help to foster effective growth and lasting change. Chandra is EMDR certified and is excited to be working under Larisa Traga as a consultant in training. She lives and works in Nevada County, CA, where she supports clients with PTSD, survivors of sexual trauma, eating disorders, medical issues and pain management, anxiety and depression, phobias and mood disorders. Chandra is passionate about sharing EMDR with others and helping therapists learn these invaluable techniques.
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Amy Vitacolonna, MS, LMHC
EMDR Certified EMDRIA Approved Consultant EMDR Consulting Training Coach |
Amy Vitacolonna graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. She has 20+ years of experience in social services, ministry, business, and counseling related fields. Amy has taken extensive training in EMDR therapy and is currently an Approved Consultant through EMDRIA. She is currently licensed as an LPC in South Carolina, a LMHC in Washington State and Florida. Amy has been coaching with Larisa since 2020 and loves following up with clinicians with consultation after the basic training. In addition, Amy also graduated from ministry school where she learned to integrate Christian principles into her practice if desired. Whatever the clients choice, she utilizes proven skills, abilities, and precepts to help them reach their goals, identify their true identity, and help others to live a more effective life!
Fun Fact: Amy loves to snow ski! |