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ABOUT US

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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.
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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
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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.
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Stacy Pray
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
EMDR Certified Therapist
EMDR Consultant
Stacy Pray is an Idaho based Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Stacy has 20+ years working with families, substance abuse, adolescents, first responders and various other populations.  She is a certified EMDR therapist and consultant.  Stacy graduated from College of the Ozarks in Administration of Justice specializing in Criminology, Stacy worked as a Probation officer for several years before deciding to go on to obtain her graduate degree is in Mental Health Counseling.  Stacy is a Mother of four and has been a military wife for 25 years.  She loves working with people to help promote healing and growth toward better self.  
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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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P: 805-266-3231
F: 805-262-6275
empowertct@gmail.com
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Service Areas in California: Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles
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