Stephanie Book Koehler, MA LMFT, Co-Founder
My only ambition as a little kid was to be happy, and all these years later it remains central to my vision. My motivation to become a therapist sprang from a desire to learn more about the complicated business of being human. I always wondered, How do I “get good” at life? How do I stop being harshly critical of myself? Can I stop feeling so scared? How do I make sense of being born, living and dying?
I became a cutting-edge trauma therapist because I had a lot of trauma in my early life. After years as a talk therapist, I became frustrated with its limitations and began looking into additional therapies, for healing both myself and my clients.
Fortunately, in the last few decades there has been a confluence of information coming from neuroscience, positive psychology, somatic therapies, attachment repair and mindfulness practices that give us greater insight into how to leave traumatic memories in the past and live in the fullness of the present moment.
I began using EMDR over 35 years ago and found it to be an amazingly effective and accelerated way to move through traumatic events. EMDR reduces the emotional charge of traumatic memories; spontaneously changes our negative beliefs related to the trauma to more positive ones; and reduces symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares. The limitation of EMDR is that it doesn’t regulate the nervous system.
I then trained in Somatic Experiencing and was astonished by the body, brain and heart’s capacity to heal itself and how the body gives us the information to facilitate that process. My clients began to feel at home in their own bodies.
I became a mindfulness meditator and experienced firsthand how I could quiet my mind, not get lost in depressed or anxious thoughts, and find some inner peace.
My work is now completely informed by what has been transformative in my own healing and how I can transmit this embodied knowledge to my clients.
A few more things about me:
I’m direct, interactive and real, and you get to be those things too. I’m interested in social justice, and the breakdown of racism, classism, misogyny, homophobia, and all the -isms.
Healing from trauma brings back fun, ease and spontaneity. I believe we can grow in every decade of our lives. And I remain vitally interested in the cultivation of happiness, of learning how to make wise choices and how to have intimate connections with ourselves and others.
If you are looking for greater self-acceptance, compassion and healing, I invite you to call me at 310-339-5812 to learn more about how I can help.
Bio
Stephanie Book Koehler, MA, LMFT 30659, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, somatic trauma specialist and co-founder of Cutting Edge Counseling in Los Angeles, CA. She has provided pro bono trauma resolution therapy to veterans, served as faculty at Antioch University teaching courses on Couples Counseling, Diversity Education, and Human Sexuality and worked as a trauma repair consultant at addiction treatment centers.
Committed to staying on the cutting edge of trauma research and healing, Stephanie actively engages in advanced trainings to best serve and support her clients. Her trainings include: EMDR; Somatic Experiencing; Mindful Self-Compassion; Attachment Repair; Gottman Couples Counseling; Anti-Bias Leadership Training & White Racial Awareness Project; Meditation Facilitation; Twilight Brigade: training in death, dying and end of life support; Anti-Violence Project (AVP); various trainings with Bessel van der Kolk, Alan Shore, Stephen Porges, Dan Siegel, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach; and is a longtime Vipassana meditation practitioner. Stephanie is also the recipient of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center’s Award for Excellence in Professional Achievement.
Free Phone Consultation
If you’re seeking trauma therapy or PTSD treatment, we invite you to call us for a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Call Stephanie at 310-339-5812 or Lee Ann at 310-980-8988.