about me
About Rena Bradley
I believe therapy can be a place where people reconnect with themselves after experiences that caused them to question, suppress, or lose parts of who they are.
Many of the clients I work with are recovering from emotionally abusive relationships, identity-related shame, trauma, or environments where they learned to ignore their own instincts and needs in order to survive. Often, they appear capable and strong on the outside while privately struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, or a lingering sense of disconnection from themselves.
I love working at that deeper level of healing — helping clients rebuild self-trust, process painful experiences, and feel more grounded, empowered, and fully themselves again.
My style is warm, affirming, thoughtful, and collaborative. I bring deep empathy to this work, both professionally and personally, and I understand that meaningful healing often takes courage, patience, and compassion.
My Approach to Therapy
I view therapy as more than simply managing symptoms. While insight and coping skills are important, lasting healing often involves gently working with the deeper emotional and nervous system patterns that trauma leaves behind.
My approach integrates:
trauma-focused therapy
Brainspotting
Image Transformation Therapy (ImTT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
mindfulness and emotion regulation work
psychodynamic and attachment-oriented perspectives
I tailor therapy to each individual client rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many clients appreciate that experiential approaches like Brainspotting and ImTT can support deep healing without requiring them to repeatedly relive painful experiences in detail.
Above all, I believe the therapeutic relationship itself can be deeply healing. Through a safe and authentic connection, therapy can become a place to rebuild trust, strengthen your voice, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been silenced or lost.
Education & Experience
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and my Master of Social Work from Arizona State University.
For more than 20 years, I have supported people in a variety of helping roles, including psychotherapy, coaching, disability advocacy, and substance use treatment. These experiences have deepened my respect for the resilience people carry and the complexity of the healing process.
Consultation Invitation
Finding the right therapist matters. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about what you’re looking for and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
Providing telehealth throughout California