Gina Cole

LMFT, 1 year of experience
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I help clients break the cycle of self-defeating patterns by exploring the lasting impact of early attachment wounds—especially the often unspoken pain of under-mothering and emotional neglect. My approach is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing begins when we de-stigmatize shame and make space for our unmet needs. With certification in EMDR and advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), I support clients in working through trauma, grief, and relational challenges. My background also includes working with first responders and professional athletes navigating high-pressure roles and emotional resilience. Whether you're facing anxiety, grief, or feeling stuck in old patterns, I provide a steady therapeutic presence—offering insight, empathy, and deep respect for your healing process. Together, we work toward greater self-trust, healthier boundaries, and a renewed sense of wholeness.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Beginning therapy is a brave step, and I want you to feel as safe and supported as possible from the very start. In our first session, we won’t rush. Instead, we’ll focus on getting to know you—your story, your concerns, and what led you to seek therapy now. I’ll ask gentle questions to better understand your goals, your history, and what feels most important for you to share. This time is also for you to get a sense of me and how I work. You are welcome to ask questions, share what has or hasn’t been helpful in past therapy, and let me know what you need to feel comfortable. My role is to create a steady, compassionate space where you feel heard without judgment. By the end of our first meeting, we’ll begin to outline a path forward together. This often includes clarifying your hopes for therapy, identifying areas you’d like to focus on, and discussing the approaches I use—such as EMDR and IFS—in ways that feel collaborative and at your pace. Most importantly, you can expect to leave our first session with the reassurance that you don’t have to carry your struggles alone, and that healing is possible when we walk this path together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

What often stands out in my work is the way I combine proven trauma therapies like EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) with a deeply compassionate, relational style. Many clients tell me that my steady presence helps them feel safe enough to explore painful experiences they’ve never shared before. I don’t believe in “quick fixes” or one-size-fits-all therapy. Instead, I help you gently uncover the roots of your struggles, so real healing—not just coping—becomes possible. Using EMDR, we can reduce the emotional intensity of past trauma, while IFS offers a powerful way to understand and heal the parts of you that carry pain, protect you, or long to be seen. Together, these methods create lasting change by addressing both the emotional and nervous system layers of trauma. Clients often leave therapy not only with relief from their symptoms, but also with a stronger sense of self, healthier relationships, and a deeper confidence in their ability to face life’s challenges. My goal is that you not only heal from the past, but also reconnect with your own inner resilience, clarity, and self-compassion.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work with individuals who are ready to explore the deeper roots of their struggles and are seeking more than surface-level coping skills. Many of my clients come to me feeling stuck in repeating patterns—whether in relationships, self-worth, or performance—without fully understanding why. Often, they are carrying unresolved grief, early attachment wounds, or the lingering impact of trauma that continues to shape their present life. I am especially well-positioned to support: Adults navigating attachment injuries who long to understand how early relationships impact their current sense of safety, connection, and self-trust. Individuals grieving profound losses, including complex or unacknowledged grief, who need a compassionate space to process and integrate their pain. People living with trauma or PTSD, who may feel haunted by the past and want to reclaim a sense of stability and empowerment. First responders, athletes, and high-performing professionals who carry invisible emotional burdens in high-pressure environments and need a safe space to tend to their inner world. Clients in life transitions—whether facing anxiety, identity questions, or shifts in relationships—who want to move forward with more clarity and self-compassion. My clients are often thoughtful, self-aware, and courageous enough to explore painful truths with the hope of living with greater freedom, resilience, and authenticity.

Specialties

Top specialties

Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

Anxiety

Depression

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Offers in-person in 5550 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003, Suite C3

Virtual

My treatment methods

EMDR

I am a certified EMDR therapist using somatic focus. I have been working with protocol for 15 years and an currently adding IFS to my approach.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

For the last three years I have attending many trainings in IFS with Frank Anderson. I am currently utilizing IFS in conjunction with EMDR to help client reprocess traumatic events and attachments wounds.

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This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.