Hidden Gems: Meet Chelsea Spagnola of Chelsea Spagnola LMFT Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Spagnola.

Hi Chelsea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Santa Clarita, so giving back to the place that shaped me has always felt like a calling. I earned my bachelor’s degree—graduating summa cum laude—from California State University, Bakersfield, and went on to receive my **master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge. I’m now a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma, PTSD, abuse, neglect, and attachment wounds.

During my pre-license years I worked throughout the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley logging more than 3,500 volunteer hours I served as an In-Home Outreach Counselor, partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Mental Health, Victims of Crime, and other local agencies. I also trained as a Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Counselor, collaborating with the LAPD, District Attorney’s Office, Center for Assault Treatment Services, and Neighborhood Legal Services to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and child abuse. Those experiences—especially working with at-risk youth and children facing severe emotional challenges—cemented my passion for helping people heal.

While I was still accruing clinical hours, I opened my private practice part-time because I couldn’t wait to serve clients directly. As soon as I earned my license in 2018, I made the leap to full-time private practice and never looked back.

What truly sets my work apart is my focus on Brainspotting Therapy (BSP) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Traditional talk therapy is valuable, but these approaches reach places words can’t. Brainspotting uses specific eye positions to tap into the brain’s natural ability to heal, often leading to profound, lasting change far beyond surface-level relief. EMDR, another highly effective trauma therapy, helps the brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer hold the same emotional charge. Watching someone release years of pain in a way that feels organic and empowering is nothing short of amazing, and it’s why I’m so passionate about integrating these cutting-edge methods.

Since opening my practice, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people throughout Santa Clarita and beyond, including survivors of the Route 91 mass shooting and the Saugus High School shooting. Both tragedies shook our community, and being able to offer Brainspotting, EMDR, and trauma-focused therapy to those affected has been an honor.

Every step of this journey—from my education at CSUB and CSUN to more than 3,500 volunteer hours and the leap into private practice—has been about creating a safe, inclusive space where people can heal deeply and sustainably. Whether someone is navigating complex trauma or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to help them move from surviving to truly living. Healing doesn’t have to be heavy; with the right tools and support, it can be transformative and freeing.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Early in my career, I worked in the community mental health system across the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys. While the work was deeply meaningful, it was also toxic at times, with overwhelming caseloads, systemic limitations, and a culture that contributes to therapist burnout. Those experiences taught me resilience and the importance of self-care, and ultimately inspired me to create a different kind of therapeutic space—one that prioritizes deep healing, flexibility, and genuine connection.

Becoming a working mom added another layer of challenges. Raising young children while running a private practice is a constant balancing act. My kids are now 3 and 4, and navigating motherhood alongside my career has required learning to set boundaries and prioritize what truly matters.

Throughout it all, I’ve committed to doing my own work and healing with Brainspotting, which has not only helped me navigate personal challenges but has also made me a better therapist. Experiencing the power of this work firsthand allows me to guide my clients with deeper empathy and understanding.

Today, I’m fortunate to have an ideal schedule and balance: I work three days a week in my practice and spend the other four days fully present with my children. This balance is essential because being a mom and being a therapist are both central parts of my identity. Motherhood has strengthened my boundaries, helped me honor my own needs, and shown me the importance of presence—for myself, my family, and my clients.

These struggles and lessons haven’t always been easy, but they’ve shaped the therapist I am today and the practice I’ve built—a space where healing is sustainable, transformative, and deeply human.

We’ve been impressed with Chelsea Spagnola LMFT Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I run a private therapy practice in Santa Clarita specializing in trauma-focused care. I help clients navigate PTSD, attachment wounds, anxiety, depression, and other emotional or psychological challenges using cutting-edge, evidence-based therapies. Two modalities I focus on are Brainspotting (BSP) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), both of which go beyond traditional talk therapy to help clients access and release deep-seated trauma.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sound—to help the brain process distressing memories in a more adaptive way. It is a structured, evidence-based approach recognized by the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization, with research showing significant reductions in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Brainspotting, on the other hand, is a more somatic, body-centered approach that helps clients access and process stored emotional and physical trauma. By identifying “brainspots”—specific eye positions linked to areas in the brain where trauma is stored—clients can release blocked emotions, memories, and physical sensations without needing to recount every detail. Brainspotting is especially effective for those who have struggled with traditional talk therapy or have difficulty verbalizing their trauma, allowing healing to occur at the brain-body level.

What sets my practice apart is not only these specialized therapies but also the approach I take as a therapist. I create a warm, inclusive, and approachable environment where clients feel safe exploring their emotions, at their own pace. My style is holistic, intuitive, and client-centered, integrating mind-body approaches while maintaining the structure and guidance clients need to achieve real, lasting change.

I’m most proud of the authentic, compassionate brand I’ve built—one that reflects both expertise and humanity. From thousands of hours volunteering in community mental health to establishing a full-time private practice, I’ve focused on creating a space where healing is accessible, meaningful, and transformative.

For readers, the key takeaway is that my practice is for anyone ready to heal—regardless of background, identity, or experience. Whether someone is working through complex trauma, chronic anxiety, depression, or emotional blocks, my goal is to help them process and release what’s holding them back, so they can move forward with clarity, resilience, and hope.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
my journey wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance, support, and inspiration of several key people along the way. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have mentors and supervisors in community mental health who taught me the importance of trauma-informed care, resilience, and professional integrity. Their guidance helped me navigate challenging environments and shaped the foundation of my practice.

My colleagues and teammates in both pre-license roles and private practice have also been invaluable—providing encouragement, collaboration, and honest feedback that pushed me to grow as a clinician and as a business owner.

I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to my clients. Their courage, trust, and willingness to do the deep work of healing have been transformative—not just for them, but for me. Watching their progress reinforced why I became a therapist in the first place and inspired me to continue building a practice that truly meets people where they are.

Finally, my family and friends have been constant cheerleaders, supporting me through the long hours, the challenges of being a working mom, and the emotional demands of trauma work. Their encouragement, patience, and belief in my vision have been essential to both my personal growth and the success of my practice.

Every step of my journey has been shaped by this network of mentors, peers, clients, and loved ones—and I’m deeply grateful for the role each has played in helping me create a practice that is both effective and deeply human.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy Session: 50 minutes — $200
• Extended Therapy Session: 90 minutes — $360
• Intensive Sessions: 1–2 day intensives available for deeper work
• Appointments Available: In-office, phone, or video sessions

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.scvmft.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scvmft/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scvmft/

Image Credits
Desiree Keoshian Photography