About Dr. Deniz

Healing Trauma is Not About Fixing — It’s About Remembering

Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia, Licensed Psychologist in California

About me

Hi, I’m Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia — a licensed clinical psychologist in California, a trauma survivor, and someone who deeply believes that healing happens when we listen to the wisdom of the body.

My therapeutic work is grounded in:

Somatic therapy & nervous system regulation
Parts work & inner child healing
Trauma-informed care for adult children of narcissistic families
Attachment and relational repair
Breaking generational cycles with compassion, not shame

This is not quick-fix therapy. Healing isn’t about bypassing pain or pushing yourself harder — it’s about creating safety, listening to your body, and remembering who you were before survival patterns took over.

Who I Work With

I support adults who are navigating the long shadows of trauma, including those who:

Grew up in emotionally immature or narcissistic households
Experienced sexual abuse in childhood or adulthood
Feel stuck in patterns of self-abandonment, perfectionism, or chronic guilt
Long for deep connection but struggle with boundaries or safety
Have done the mindset work but still feel dysregulated, anxious, or disconnected
Are ready to stop fawning, over-explaining, and hiding their true self

Education & Experience

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology — Pepperdine University
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy — University of Southern California
Bachelor’s in Psychology — Pepperdine University

Clinical Training

APA-accredited Internship — Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Integrative Health — West Los Angeles VA Medical Center

Professional Experience

Staff Psychologist — West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Adjunct Professor — Pepperdine University, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology

Speaking & Thought Leadership

Alongside my clinical and educational work, I regularly speak on the intersection of trauma, the body, and healing. My keynote, The Body Remembers, explores how trauma is stored in the nervous system and how somatic, mindful, and spiritual practices can help survivors release, reconnect, and remember.

I’ve presented for conferences, community organizations, corporations, and academic settings, and I am passionate about making trauma science and healing practices accessible to survivors and professionals alike.

Media & Podcasts

My work has been featured in interviews, podcasts, and online publications where I share insights on trauma, the body, and breaking family cycles.

What I believe...

The body is not just where trauma lives — it’s also where truth and healing return.

Trauma is not the end of the story. It is the portal to remembering who we are.

We can’t think our way into healing. The nervous system has to feel its way there.

Silence may have protected us once, but voice and presence are what restore us.

Where to Begin

My therapy practice is currently full and I am not taking new clients at this time. If you’d like support in the meantime, you can explore my global programs, masterclasses, or Sacred Light Energy circles.