Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Trujillo
Hi ALEJANDRA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is full of learning, healing wounds (trauma), resiliency, and love. I was born and raised in Mexico City, and I am the oldest of two children. I grew up witnessing domestic violence (emotional abuse), but I did not know it until later on in life. When I was 11 years old, a traumatic experienced changed my life: I was sexually abused by a stranger who broke into my house when I was alone. I was sent to meet with a doctor for forensic examination and to see a therapist for support. I had no idea what a therapist was and I remember being more afraid to meet the therapist than goin into the doctors office. Transforming pain into healing was a difficult path as my parents did not understand PTSD and many time thought that I was exaggerating my reactions and “just wanting attention.” I was 15 years old when I read a quote that said “What ruins your life is not what happens to you, but the interpretation you have given to it” (“lo que arruina la vida no es una situación , es la interpretación que le damos a esta”). I decided then and there that I wanted to help other people mastering their traumatic experiences to enjoy life despite tragedy. I studied at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. I earned my License as a Psychologist in 2004. I worked as a school psychologist, and I had a private practice office helping adults, and children struggling with depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and trauma.
In 2008, with the support of my parents, I decided to moved to USA to learned English with the goal of doing advanced studies st some point. The journey was not easy… I left my parents, my dear sister, family, friends y “mi tierra” (my country) behind to follow my dream: learn more to help others. I was very lucky to have the support from my grandfather (who came to L.A. via the “bracero program” over 50 years ago), my loving aunt, and many other family members who also came to USA seeking for a better future. In 2009 I was accepted in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Masters program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). I graduated in 2011, in 2012 was hired as Faculty in the MFT program and I have been teaching the new generation of therapist for the past 12 years. I earned my license in 2015.
In 2012 I married a wonderful, loving, caring, compassionate man, and in 2017 I became a mother of a little boy who has change my life for good: Diego. Again, the journey was not easy, the birthing of my child was very traumatic: epidural procedure injured a nerve, and I could not feel my left leg for almost 6 months. Postpartum depression came with it as well. A caring and knowledgeable therapists, a support group, family and friends helped me heal. I now have a way much better understanding of this common issue among mothers.
In this journey, I have learned that the ultimate ingredient for healing are “meaningful relationships;” therefore, I have spent time and energy fostering friendships, creating my Village: “the family we chose.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a survivor of sexual abuse and living with PTSD was not easy. However, recognizing that my childhood was full of witnessing emotional violence was one of the hardest steps into healing. Both my parents had best intentions while raising us. They did the best the could with what they had. However, when wounds are open you end up hurting your children. We called this process “intergenerational trauma.” I have dedicate my career to help people overcome this very issue by raising awareness and incorporating best practices such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Somatic practices, Parts-work, Ego State and other maneuvers to support people to live more in the present. People who live in the past feel depressed, people who live in the future experience severe anxiety. I want to promote balance in all areas of live.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have been helping young children, children, families and adults for over 20 years. My approach is simple: The person is the person, and the problem is the problem. People are not problems. I collaborate shoulder to shoulder with my clients to find the best solutions for them. I have been highly trained in several evidence-based practices and well research interventions. I have specialized in the healing of trauma. Trauma is a word that comes from Greek and it means: wound. In the words of Dr. Gabor Mate “if you are a human, you have wounds.” We all carry wounds in one way or another. My training in psychotherapy in the area of Birth to Five (Child-Parent Psychotherapy) has allowed me to understand Attachment patterns, Attachment Wounds, the importance of Connections and the critical steps of Repair. I have been highly trained in several evidence-based practices and well researched interventions. I use primarily EMDR, Flash Technique, Parts work (IFS, Ego State Interventions, inner child, etc.), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and I see my clients through attachment-based lenses. I am certified in Trauma-Focus-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCT), IFS-Informed EMDR), Gottman Method (Level 1), Narrative Therapy and Postmodern Approaches, Stress Manager Facilitator and and I feel proud of being a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. I am also a Bringing Baby Home Educator, a program designed for new parents experiencing the transition into parenthood – a training from the Gottman Institute.
What are your plans for the future?
I am currently pursuing my certification as an EMDR Consultant and aspire to become an EMDR Trainer. I am thrilled to share that earlier this year, I was selected to join the 2025 cohort of the Train-The-Trainer program for Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I have a deep passion for learning and also aim to become certified in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Somatic Experiencing, both of which are evidence-based and evidence-informed practices that support individuals on their healing journey.
Pricing:
- $200 per 50-minute Individual session (private pay–some and PPO insurance accepted)
- $250 per 50-min Family Session (private pay–some and PPO insurance accepted)
- Free 15-minute initial phone consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AlejandraTrujillo.com
- Instagram: @Strengthening_Relationships
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alejandra-trujillo-northridge-ca/789993
Image Credits
Rene Cortez, Photography
