Taylor Zavala, ACSW
Pronouns: they/them
Trauma and Anxiety Therapist & Brainspotting Practitioner in Sacramento, CA
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR:
— Trauma and Anxiety Therapy
— Brainspotting Therapy
— Therapy for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Individuals & Couples
— Therapy for Transracial Adoptees & Adoptive Parents
— Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Hi, I’m Taylor.
I’m a trauma therapist and Brainspotting practitioner in Sacramento, CA - and I identify as a queer, transracial adoptee. I support people who:
…long to feel worthy and enough just as they are - but feel trapped by this inner need to please others.
…desire authenticity and belonging - but feel consumed with worry and fear of being rejected or misunderstood.
…are ready to heal from their past (and those not-so-distant traumatic memories that never really go away) - but are just not sure how.
As a transracial, transcultural adoptee of color and a survivor of sexual trauma, I know how deep and persistent these wounds can feel and how easy it can be to fall into those dark corners of hopelessness and isolation. & yet, from my own journey of healing and my experience in supporting so many others in theirs, I also know that, whatever isn’t feeling good and whatever isn’t working anymore (within yourself or across relationships), doesn’t need to remain that way either.
Because -
It’s possible to make lots of room for your needs and your healing and still hold close, loving relationships with those you love.
It’s possible to release the expectations of others and feel fulfilled within yourself.
It’s possible to re-experience calm, ease, and safety in your body - no matter how long it’s been.
I’m excited and honored to support you, wherever you are in your journey, so that you can live a life that feels authentic and meaningful, even when things feel messy and difficult. Schedule a free 20-minute telephone consultation today to get started on your journey to healing and growth.
MY APPROACH TO COUNSELING
Compassionate & affirming.
Creative & resourceful.
Trauma-informed & client-centered.
Anti-oppressive & culturally humble.
& most of all, humanizing.
My approach to counseling is rooted in the belief that we have the capacity to heal ourselves; oftentimes, we just need the right tools to get there.
In my therapy practice, I integrate a blend of trauma-informed, somatic-based, and mindfulness-oriented techniques and exercises - and together, we co-create a space that is anchored in empathy, understanding, and acceptance. (& yes, a healthy dose of gentle nudges when needed).
As a therapist committed to anti-oppressive and justice-oriented therapy, we’ll make room to explore and understand how the larger systems and institutional forces we live in create and uphold the anxieties and traumas we experience. (...while still reclaiming your right to joy and healing anyways).
We’ll create an intentional space that honors and celebrates your intersecting identities, your unique gifts, and your humanity as a whole (rather than overgeneralizing or pathologizing them).
No matter where you are in your journey, we’ll create a space to hold all of it: the worries, the joy, the sadness, the relief, the fear, the growth, the stuckness, the wins, the exhaustion. ALL OF IT.
Because we all deserve the spaciousness to exist in peace and ease with our selves and in our relationships. We all deserve to allow our lights to shine and express ourselves fully (regardless of what anyone else thinks).
& most of all, you do.
Whether you’re looking for a space to process and heal from your trauma wounds or a more focused approach centered on learning practical tools and exercises to manage anxiety, we’ll work together to find what feels aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and goals for therapy.
So that you can live a life that is no longer weighed down by your anxiety or past trauma.
& I’ll be right there with you - to support you, to affirm you, to guide you, and to witness your journey of healing and transformation.
You are worthy. You matter, and you belong.
MY JOURNEY
When I was young, I always knew I wanted to help people - I just didn't know in what capacity. Growing up, I had a difficult time understanding the traumas I endured as a transracial, transcultural adoptee, including the impact of growing up without representation or connection to my culture. To help me navigate my feelings, I began seeking counseling from a young age.
Time after time, I noticed that my therapists didn’t understand my perspective. They, like others around me, didn’t look like me. They didn’t share similar lived experiences - and because of that, they didn’t (and couldn’t) connect with me on a level that I was looking for.
As I transitioned into young adulthood, I survived a number of traumatic experiences. I sought support to heal from these traumas - but again, I noticed that same lack of connection with my therapists. Rather than being met with empathy and care, I felt judged, victim blamed, and once again, misunderstood.
It became clear to me what I wanted to do.
I wanted to provide therapy to individuals who looked like me, shared similar experiences, and were seeking the care, validation and support they were not receiving elsewhere:
Individuals with marginalized and oppressed identities.
Survivors of trauma.
Transracial/transcultural adoptees.
Survivors of sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
LGBTQ+ individuals.
Birthing parents navigating pregnancy and postpartum.
I am deeply passionate about supporting these communities - and those who are ready to heal from their past and make the change they want to see (and feel) in their lives.
Drawing from my own healing journey and the extensive specialized trainings I’ve pursued, I collected an abundance of tools and knowledge to support individuals heal from anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. It feels surreal to step into a life that was once a dream, and I’m invested in offering everything that was lacking in the field of therapy not so long ago. Here, I’ll guide and support you as a safe space, a listening ear, a compassionate heart, a sharer of tools and knowledge, and a supportive and encouraging collaborator.
Together, we’ll work towards creating a life that is filled with joy, ease, alignment, and authenticity. So you can shift from surviving to thriving - even during the hard times.
I’m so excited for the journey ahead.
Professional Background
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Masters in Social Work (MSW)
San José State University - San José, CA -
BIPOC Brainspotting Phase I Training
Trainer: Tracy Gantlin-Monroy, LPCServing LGBTQ Youth/Bullying Prevention
Gender Health Center, Sacramento, CAWorking with Latinx/Latine Families
San José State University, San José, CATrauma Informed Care Perspectives and Resources
Georgetown University, Washington, DCTrauma Informed Response to Human Trafficking Victims
My Sister’s House, Sacramento, CALGBTQ and other Underserved Populations
Stand Up Placer, CAHuman Trafficking Victim Advocate Training
Orange County Human Trafficking Taskforce -
National Association of Social Workers
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INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Individual Intake Session 50 minutes $140
Individual Therapy Session 50 minutes $140
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COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Intake Session 60 minutes $175
Couples Therapy Session 60 minutes $175
Interested in working with Taylor Zavala, ACSW?
Contact us for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation.
Whether you're seeking therapy to experience healing and transformation within yourself or in your relationship - or are looking for a psychological evaluation for your immigration case, we're here to provide you with compassionate and affirming care. Contact us today to begin your healing journey.
To get started, use this contact form - or give us a call! Either way, we’ll be sure to get back to you within 2 business days.
We look forward to connecting with you and being a part of your healing journey.