Somatic Trauma Therapy, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, & Couples Therapy
in Long Beach, CA

For adults and couples ready to lean into discomfort so they can create a life and relationship they don’t need to escape from.

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Hi! I’m Clara Mackinlay

I’m a somatic therapist who knows the pain of trauma + relationships from both sides of the couch.

    • Like many of my clients, life has been far from easy. Somatic therapy, couples therapy, and plant medicine played a meaningful role in my own healing.

    • I’ve lived through significant trauma—and I’ve also experienced the freedom that comes from healing it.

    • I’ve been in deeply unhealthy relationships—and I’ve done the work to choose a safe, loving partnership.

    • I’ve worked with therapists who missed the mark and ones who changed my life—both shaped how I practice today.

  • Informed by my lived experience of pain and healing; compassionate, honest, and with deep respect for how hard this work can be. Also …

    • Authentic and human. I show up as myself to give you permission to show up as you. Sometimes I’m dressed up, sometimes I’m in sweatpants. I’m always barefoot. I like to cuss.

    • Honest and boundaried. I know therapy is an expensive investment, and as much as I care deeply about my clients, I don’t want to work with you forever—because that would mean I’m not doing my job.

    • Warm and supportive, but direct. I’ll meet you where you are and push you into the places that feel uncomfortable, messy, and a little icky. Because that’s where the healing actually happens.

  • Integrative and holistic. I value and integrate Western, evidence-based practices—and I also deeply honor plant medicine, intuition, “witchy” wisdom, and Eastern traditions. Healing doesn’t live in one lane—and neither does effective therapy.

    Body-centered and progress-oriented. I’m not a surface-level therapist, so if you’re looking to just talk about your feelings or vent for sessions on end, I’m probably not your girl. But if you’re ready to get to work, willing to be uncomfortable, and open to real change—let’s setup a time to chat or keep exploring my website.

ready to do the work?

schedule a consult ⟶
learn more about me ⟶

WHO I WORK WITH

This work tends to resonate most with:

  • People who are high-functioning, driven, and deeply motivated

  • People with trauma histories hiding behind outward success

  • People who struggle with feeling “not enough,” slowing down, or feeling safe in relationships

  • People with established somatic practices (yoga, meditation, breathwork, etc.) who want to go deeper

  • People curious about or experienced with plant medicines and psychedelics

  • People who value the role of spirituality in healing

  • People who’ve tried talk therapy and are ready to talk less and feel more

The clients who do best with my approach are highly motivated, high-functioning adults and couples who are willing to feel uncomfortable, commit to the process of healing (because there are no quick fixes), and stay active in session and action-oriented between sessions.

TRAUMA & RELATIONSHIp Specializations:

Relational & Developmental Work

  • Self-Worth & Self-Esteem

  • Relationship Anxiety & Avoidance

  • Disconnection in Couples

  • Emotionally Available / Growth-Oriented Men

  • (Peri)Menopausal Transitions

  • Ayahuasca & MDMA Experiences

  • Psychedelic Preparation & Integration

Trauma & Nervous System

  • PTSD & Complex PTSD

  • Childhood Trauma

  • Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA), & Incest

  • Dissociation

  • Chronic Nervous System Dysregulation

  • Shame & Self-Blame

  • Chronic Overfunctioning & Burnout

schedule a consult ⟶

Healing is multidimensional. Therapy should be too.

Mainstream & Non-traditional THERAPIES for Trauma & Relationships

FOR ADULTS & COUPLES IN CALIFORNIA

I’m an evidence-based therapist, but I also like to get creative, collaborative, and weird. I blend clinical with cosmic, science with soul, and help you merge mind and body. My work goes beyond symptom management—this isn’t sit-on-the-couch, nod-and-smile therapy. It’s down-to-earth, holistic, and a little witchy. It’s no bullshit, real talk, nervous system repair, and whole-person healing.

  • SOMATIC EXPERIENCING


    A gentle and highly specialized approach that helps the body complete thwarted trauma responses and supports nervous system regulation.

  • HOLISTIC EMDR THERAPY


    A structured, evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess trauma, reduce emotional intensity, and support lasting nervous system regulation.

  • "PARTS" THERAPY


    An IFS-inspired somatic approach that helps you connect with ‘parts’ of yourself that carry pain, fear, or unmet needs and just want to feel seen, heard, and supported.

  • KETAMINE-ASSISTED THERAPY


    A psychedelic-assisted therapy that interrupts rigid patterns, expands emotional awareness, and supports profound trauma healing. Safe for those on SSRIs.

  • GOTTMAN COUPLES THERAPY


    The Gottman Method uses practical, research-based tools to improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen friendship and trust within the relationship.

  • EMOTION-FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY


    Focuses on the emotional patterns and attachment needs driving conflict and disconnection in your relationship, helping partners feel seen, understood, and securely connected.

  • WITCHY THERAPY


    I sometimes integrate ceremonial cacao, card decks, astrology, energy work, and touch into sessions. I’m a yoga therapist, Reiki master, and plant medicine person who loves to honor the depth of the human experience that science simply neglects.

  • HOLISTIC THERAPY


    I collaborate with other professionals and consider how everything is working or not working together — diet, nutrition, sleep, hormones, movement, community, belonging, meaning and more. Because mental wellness doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

  • OUTDOOR THERAPY


    Sometimes therapy involves walking along the beach or marina, sitting in my grassy backyard, or movement-based somatic work outside. Being in nature can create space for deeper regulation, connection, and presence. Plus, a little more Vitamin D never hurts.

  • TOUCH-BASED THERAPY


    A gentle consent-based approach to support developmental trauma healing and encourage the body in releasing survival energy and regulating through safe physical contact.

ways to Work with me

Sessions are available in-person in Long Beach, CA or virtually if you live in California. Hybrid formats are also available to accommodate travel and crazy schedules.

  • Many of the individuals I work with are thoughtful, self-aware adults who have done a lot of personal growth already. They might look like they have it together on the outside, but internally they feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns they can’t quite shift.

    Individual therapy may be a good fit if you:

    • feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, perfectionism, or burnout

    • struggle with boundaries or people-pleasing

    • carry unresolved childhood trauma or attachment wounds

    • feel disconnected from your body or emotions

    • want deeper healing than talk therapy alone

  • I work with couples at all stages of relationship, including those who are dating, premarital, newly married, or navigating major life transitions such as deciding whether to have children, moving cities, career changes, or discerning whether the relationship should continue.

    Couples therapy may be a good fit if you:

    • keep having the same argument over and over without resolution

    • struggle with communication or emotional safety

    • are rebuilding trust after betrayal or broken agreements

    • feel distant, disconnected, or more like roommates than partners

    • want to strengthen your relationship before problems grow deeper

  • The traditional 50-minute therapy hour was designed for insurance reimbursement, not for the kind of deep work that actually moves things forward.

    Therapy intensives create the time and space to actually work through the material that’s been getting in the way of your life. Instead of circling the same issue for months in weekly sessions, we can dedicate a half day, full day, or multiple days to focused, uninterrupted work that actually moves you forward.

    Therapy intensives offered include:

    • EMDR (half-day and full-day)

    • Home Reset + Therapy (for individuals and couples)

    • Gottman-style Couples Therapy

schedule a free consult ⟶

Kind Words from Clients & Colleagues

  • “We can’t thank you enough for the couples therapy intensive. It saved our marriage. We’re applying the skills you taught us and navigating communication and conflict in a whole new way. I feel seen and heard, and so does [partner]. Thank you, thank you!”

    – Couples Therapy Intensive Client

  • “When I started working with [Clara], I was in the depths of darkness. I had no hope. Now I have peace, I feel free, I have acceptance, my relationships are thriving and I feel grounded.”

    – Happy Client

  • Person with long hair wearing a plaid jacket and white shirt, sitting with open hands on a white surface, with an orange floral picture in the background.

    “Clara is an incredibly intuitive and gifted therapist. Her healing journey sets her apart, and she creates a safe space for anyone seeking guidance from someone who gets it. She excels in healing trauma and fostering complete mind-body wellness.”


    – Leah Smith, LMFT

  • “I finally feel relief and happiness at home. I don’t dread my space anymore. And I can finally move forward after years of living with reminders of my past relationship. Thank you for helping me get rid of the things that were weighing me down.”

    – Therapeutic Home Reset Intensive Client

  • Woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    “Clara is a dynamic somatic therapist dedicated to helping women and girls reconnect with their inner power. Her blend of knowledge, insights, and skill provide her clients with the support and guidance they need to make meaningful changes in their lives!”

    – Joanna Farah, LMFT

  • “In just three sessions, I’m already noticing a massive difference in my ability to be present, regulate better, feel more … and this is just the beginning.”

    – Somatic Experiencing Client

  • Smiling woman with long brown hair and black ribbon tie on beige background

    “Clara brings a genuine sense of empathy and thoughtfulness to her work. Her ability to foster trust & understanding speaks to her dedication & skill. Her training in Somatic Experiencing creates a supportive space for meaningful & effective healing.”

    – Vanessa Bellafiore, LMFT

  • “My muscle tone all of a sudden looks different. I have less dumping in my thighs and my muscles look leaner [because of the somatic therapy]. It happened so quickly.”

    – Somatic Experiencing Client

  • Woman outdoors with short hair and patterned blouse

    “Clara brings an intuitive, grounded presence that becomes apparent the moment you meet her. She is a compassionate and supportive guide for individuals navigating trauma, offering a safe space for healing and growth.”

    – Beth Kiacz, LMFT

  • Smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a light-colored top, against a white background.

    “Clara is a compassionate and deeply present clinician. She has a great understanding of Somatic Therapy, Trauma Modalities, and Psychedelic Integration.”

    – Chloe Bean, LMFT

  • “I’m so grateful for our work together. I’ve made notable progress in my healing thanks to you.”

    – Former Client