Recovering from Wildfire Trauma - Lisa Eaton Therapy

The recent devastation brought on by the Southern California fires wasn’t just something you watched on the news—it was something you felt. The air turned thick with smoke, the sky became an unsettling orange, and the sound of sirens rose into a chaotic chorus. These flames didn’t just take houses—they stole a sense of safety from our community. And while the fires are out, the emotional toll they took lingers. However, hope is not lost, and we want you to know that we can help you regain a sense of stability, process the emotions left in the aftermath, and help you rebuild your peace of mind.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Wildfire-Related Trauma and Would Benefit From the Help of a Therapist

Unshakable Anxiety – You feel on edge and constantly worry about a potential next threat.
Intrusive Memories – Flashbacks, nightmares, or unsettling reminders haunt you.
Hypervigilance – You scan the horizon for smoke, double-check evacuation routes, or react strongly to sirens.
Emotional Numbness – Sometimes it feels like you’re watching life from a distance instead of actually living it.
Sleep Struggles – You face nightmares, restlessness, or waking up in a panic often.
Guilt or Self-Blame – Questions of what you could have done differently linger.
Avoidance – Certain places and conversations feel too overwhelming.
Irritability or Mood Swings – You’re more on edge, impatient, or emotionally exhausted than usual.
Physical Symptoms – You’re experiencing headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue—stress has a way of showing up in the body, too.

Therapy for Wildfire Trauma Faced by First Responders

First responders don’t just battle flames—they carry the weight of every life saved, every home lost, and every split-second decision made. The trauma doesn’t end when the fire does. Sleepless nights, hypervigilance, and emotional burnout take their toll. Therapy offers a space to process, heal, and regain balance.

Therapist Hannah Pasternak understands and empathizes with the demands first responders face in their line of work. She creates a safe, non-judgmental environment for her clients to explore their stress responses, process the trauma they’ve faced in their work fighting the California wildfires, and build resilience to move forward. With a strengths-based approach, she utilizes CBT, DBT, EMDR, and mindfulness.

Therapy for Wildfire Trauma Faced by Survivors

Wildfire survivors, in the blink of an eye, lose so much and with that comes an inevitable grieving process. Survivors typically experience a deep, complicated mourning for both the familiarity of daily life as they knew it and also for the home tied to so many of their memories.

Therapist Jennifer Edwards specializes in grief and loss counseling alongside heartfelt compassion for those navigating the aftermath of California wildfires. With warmth and expertise, she helps survivors process their grief and regain peace.

Start the Mental Health Support You Need After Wildfire Trauma

Recovering from wildfire trauma isn’t just about rebuilding homes—it’s about healing the mind, too, because unfortunately, trauma doesn’t just go away over time—when left unaddressed, it can grow into deeper anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

At our practice, every therapist is trauma-informed. Moreover, as California-based therapists, we have felt the weight of this devastation firsthand. These wildfires have affected all of our lives or those we love in some way, so we understand the weight of what you’re going through. You deserve support from those who truly see you, hear you, and understand the disaster you faced.

You don’t have to carry this weight alone. Reach out to our Intake Coordinator at 949-236-1990 or intakes@lisaeatontherapy.com. You can also learn more over at our Get Started Page.