Today we’d like to introduce you to Seema Sharma.
Hi Seema, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In the early 1990s, Dan Rather hosted a 20/20 Special that highlighted the wonders of holistic healing. The program showcased remarkable, often unexplainable, healing practices from global communities—practices that frequently outperformed Western medicine. I was captivated, and it reshaped my understanding of what true healing could be. Yet, pursuing formal studies in holistic healing wasn’t a feasible option at the time. Colleges didn’t offer programs in this field, and the credibility of alternative institutions was questionable. So, I chose the safer path, the one my parents favored—a career in the corporate world.
For over 25 years, I climbed the corporate ladder, eventually reaching senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most recognized companies. But as I advanced, I became increasingly isolated. I began to notice pervasive toxicity, systemic sickness, and organizational structures that seemed to perpetuate pathology. By 2019, I came to a profound realization: I was merely surviving, not thriving.
The turning point came when I attempted to address an instance of sexual harassment I had experienced, only to witness a coordinated effort to suppress the truth. It was a wake-up call—I knew I could no longer be part of that world. Around the same time, I discovered the California Institute of Integral Studies, an institution offering exactly the education I had long sought back in the early 1990s. I immediately enrolled in their Master’s program in Integral Counseling Psychology, later continuing with a Ph.D. in Psychology, Integral & Transpersonal Psychology, focusing on the Contemplative Neuroscience of Consciousness Studies. I became obsessed, reading, signing up for trainings, and researching more and more avenues of holistic wellness and psychotherapy.
It was a challenging journey, balancing two careers simultaneously. But after years of perseverance, I am now a full-time holistic trauma therapist based in Pasadena, with plans to open new offices in La Jolla and Newport Beach, California. This work not only fulfills me but also allows me to bring transformative healing to others—a dream sparked decades ago, now fully realized.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to becoming a holistic trauma therapist has been anything but smooth. Despite my passion for holistic healing, life often demanded a pragmatic approach. While I pursued my studies and worked toward building a career in holistic trauma therapy, financial realities frequently pulled me back into the corporate world. Supporting my family and paying the bills meant balancing my true calling with the steady income that corporate roles provided.
At times, it felt like I was straddling two worlds—one that nurtured my soul and another that sustained my responsibilities. The transition was far from linear; there were moments when I questioned whether I could ever fully commit to the work I was so passionate about. Each step forward in my journey as a therapist seemed to come with a corresponding step back into corporate life, where I navigated the same challenges that had initially driven me away.
These back-and-forth shifts taught me resilience and deepened my understanding of the struggles many face when balancing passion and practicality. They also reinforced my commitment to creating a life that aligned with my purpose, even if it meant navigating a circuitous path. Today, as a full-time holistic trauma therapist, I carry those experiences with me, using them to empathize with clients who feel similarly torn between survival and fulfillment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is dedicated to holistic trauma therapy, providing a compassionate and transformative approach to healing for individuals navigating the impact of trauma. I specialize in addressing a wide range of issues, including childhood trauma, sexual trauma, workplace challenges, cultural issues, and relationship concerns. What sets my practice apart is the integration of mind-body-spirit methodologies, incorporating somatic experiencing, embodied intelligence, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques to support whole-person healing.
What makes my brand unique is the personalized treatment plan and care I provide to each client. Customizing treatment to the client allows me to truly treat the client. I deeply believe that trauma is not just a mental or emotional experience—it’s stored in the body and spirit as well. By addressing all aspects of a person’s being, I help clients unlock their innate capacity for healing, leading to profound and lasting change. This holistic approach is what I’m known for and what has drawn clients seeking an alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the safe, inclusive, and empowering environment I’ve created for clients. Whether it’s in my Pasadena office or my soon-to-open locations in La Jolla and Newport Beach, clients can expect a space where they are seen, heard, and supported without judgment. Therapy with me goes beyond the couch integrates various practices to foster holistic healing, blending outdoor experiences, music, movement, and mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathwork, and visualization. These dynamic approaches complement traditional talk therapy, encouraging deeper emotional release, self-awareness, and mind-body connection. By engaging with nature and incorporating expressive activities, my therapy creates a more expansive and enriching environment for personal transformation and well-being.
I want readers to know that my services go beyond symptom management—I’m here to help them reclaim their lives. My practice offers individual therapy, workshops, and coaching tailored to those seeking deep healing and transformation. If you’re ready to move beyond survival and step into thriving, I’m here to walk that journey with you.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my journey is that the pursuit of truth often requires resilience and courage, especially in fields like psychology and research where politics can shape what is recognized, published, and funded. Science is often perceived as purely objective, but there is a clear gatekeeping process that prioritizes mainstream ideas and marginalizes perspectives that challenge established paradigms.
This has been particularly true in the realm of holistic healing and transpersonal psychology. Despite a growing body of evidence supporting these approaches, research in these areas often struggles to find its way into major publications or secure the funding needed to advance the field. The result is a lack of access to these practices in traditional educational programs and a perpetuation of outdated views on healing and mental health.
The lesson here is to persist in the face of these barriers and to find alternative pathways to validate and disseminate this important work. I’ve learned that while systemic change takes time, progress can be made by building grassroots support, collaborating with like-minded practitioners, and presenting the evidence where it matters most: in the lives of those who experience transformation through holistic approaches.
This journey has reinforced my commitment to creating space for diverse healing modalities and advocating for their legitimacy in both academic and clinical settings. It’s a reminder that innovation often starts at the margins, and with enough persistence, it can move into the mainstream to benefit more people.
Pricing:
- Relationship Bootcamp (5-day) – Call for Pricing
- Holistic Therapy – $250+
- Relationship Counseling – $280+
- Family Therapy – $325+
- Somatic Therapy – $250+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.legacytraumatherapy.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560777775887
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holistictraumatherapist/
- Other: https://www.holistictraumatherapist.com
Image Credits
The Consciousness Center, an Individual, Marriage, and Family Holistic Therapy Professional Corporation
