New clinical hours and specialized trauma-focused care aim to close a longstanding gap in accessible mental health treatment on the Westside.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Aug. 4, 2026 — Los Angeles Therapy Institute (LATI), a mental health practice serving communities across Los Angeles County, today announced expanded trauma therapy services at its Santa Monica location. The expansion adds clinical hours and additional trauma-trained therapists to address what practice leaders describe as growing demand for accessible, evidence-based care in the area.
Trauma affects a significant portion of the population at some point in their lives, whether stemming from a single event, an accumulation of adverse experiences, or ongoing stress. In coastal Los Angeles communities like Santa Monica, residents often cite long wait times and limited in-network options as barriers to starting treatment. LATI's expanded trauma therapy Santa Monica program is designed to shorten that wait and connect clients with clinicians trained in trauma-specific modalities.

The practice offers a range of evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic-based techniques that address how trauma is stored in the body as well as the mind. Sessions are available in person at the Santa Monica office and via telehealth for clients throughout California.

"We see clients who have often waited months, sometimes years, before finding a therapist who specializes in trauma," said Dr. Jane Whitfield, PsyD, Clinical Director at Los Angeles Therapy Institute. "Expanding our trauma therapy services in Santa Monica means more people in this community can start treatment sooner, with a clinician trained specifically in the modalities that research shows can help people process traumatic experiences."
LATI emphasizes that treatment outcomes vary by individual, and no single approach works for everyone. The practice's model pairs an initial clinical assessment with an individualized treatment plan, drawing on multiple therapeutic frameworks depending on client needs and history.

About Los Angeles Therapy Institute

Los Angeles Therapy Institute is a mental health practice with multiple locations across Los Angeles County, offering individual, couples, and group therapy for concerns including trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. The practice's team includes licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers trained in evidence-based treatment modalities. More information is available at losangelestherapyinstitute.com.

Media Contact
Name: Los Angeles Therapy Institute
Phone: (310) 857-4946
Website: www.losangelestherapyinstitute.com