LCSW, 8 years of experience
Calai S. Brown, LCSW EMDR Therapist | Crisis Response Specialist | Trauma-Informed Care Welcome—I’m glad you’re here. I’m Calai Brown, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR-trained therapist with over a decade of experience supporting individuals through some of life’s most challenging moments. My practice is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and deep respect for your unique story. In addition to providing therapy, I’ve spent years leading mobile crisis response teams and overseeing crisis stabilization units across Northern California. This work has shaped my grounded, responsive, and trauma-informed approach—especially when navigating acute stress, trauma, and life transitions. My clinical focus areas include: Trauma and PTSD Anxiety and panic disorders Depression and emotional overwhelm Self-esteem and identity exploration Crisis recovery and nervous system regulation I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from past trauma. Whether you're working through a single distressing event or long-standing patterns of pain, EMDR offers a path toward lasting relief. I also integrate somatic practices, cognitive-behavioral tools, and parts work to support emotional regulation, deepen self-awareness, and reconnect with the parts of you that deserve care and compassion. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your healing journey, I’m here to walk with you.
Your first session with me is all about creating a safe, supportive space where you can begin to share your story at your own pace. We'll start by discussing what brings you to therapy, explore your goals, and review any symptoms or concerns you're experiencing. I’ll also ask some questions about your history, relationships, and support systems to help me understand the bigger picture. This session is collaborative—there’s no pressure to dive into anything you're not ready for. I’ll introduce the therapeutic approaches I use, answer any questions you have about the process, and ensure that you feel comfortable moving forward. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and hopeful about the path ahead.
I bring a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach to therapy, grounded in years of experience supporting individuals through complex trauma, crisis recovery, and emotional overwhelm. As an EMDR-trained therapist, I guide clients in safely reprocessing distressing experiences while building emotional resilience and inner strength. My background in crisis stabilization and mobile response allows me to remain calm and attuned in high-stress situations, offering clients a steady and supportive presence. I value relational warmth, creating a space where clients feel seen, safe, and empowered to open up at their own pace. My work is also informed by somatic practices, cognitive-behavioral tools, parts work, and mindfulness, allowing me to support healing on both a nervous system and emotional level. With a deep commitment to equity and system-level change, I view each client through a lens that honors both individual needs and the broader structures that shape their lives.
I’m best positioned to support individuals who are navigating the impacts of trauma, anxiety, panic, or significant life transitions and are ready to explore healing in a safe, grounded space. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected—from themselves, their past, or their relationships. Some are managing intense emotions, while others are high-functioning on the outside but silently struggling. Whether you're seeking relief from distressing memories, support through a crisis, or tools to regulate your nervous system and reconnect with your sense of self, I’m here to help. I work well with clients who are curious, open to healing, and ready to take steps toward emotional clarity, self-compassion, and lasting change.
I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in my practice to help people heal from difficult experiences that still feel “stuck.” EMDR is a gentle, effective approach that helps your brain process and release painful memories, emotions, or beliefs—so they don’t feel as heavy or overwhelming. We use simple tools like eye movements or tapping to help your brain do what it naturally wants to do: heal. It’s not about reliving trauma—it’s about safely working through it, with support and at your own pace. I use EMDR to help with things like: Childhood trauma or hard memories Anxiety or panic Feeling “not good enough” Grief and loss Medical trauma or scary experiences Confidence and performance issues Before we start EMDR, we spend time making sure you feel safe and grounded. We build coping tools together so you feel ready and supported every step of the way. If you’ve been carrying something heavy, EMDR can help you finally put it down.