Virtual sessions available as of 10/05/26.

Interested in a sliding scale fee? Read this before inquiring.

A Place to Heal From Depression, Anxiety & Trauma

EMDR Walnut Creek Therapist

Find clarity, relief, and direction in a healing environment.

Do you feel demoralized, overwhelmed, or disoriented? Are you struggling in your relationships, work, or life in general? Perhaps you are weathering depression, anxiety, or trauma symptoms that feel endless.

Change is possible with the right help, right timing, and right approach. Are you ready to embrace change?

My Specialties

Trauma Therapy

Overcome trauma triggers, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Reduce social isolation and strengthen existing relationships. Develop the capacity to sustain more regulated states.

EMDR Therapy

Move on from disturbing memories that currently bog you down through an EMDR-trained therapist.

Anxiety Therapy

Decrease avoidant behaviors that reinforce anxiety symptoms. Better understand what is causing your anxiety and find more adaptive ways of getting those needs met.

Psychodynamic (Depth) Therapy

Understand how your past experiences are shaping your current perception of others, self, and the world. Learn what drives your behaviors and identify more adaptive ways of getting your needs met.

Loss, Grief, and Depression Therapy

Freely process your grief, sense of loss, and despair in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

Exposure Therapy

Conquer your fears using an evidence-based intervention that has proven to produce results.

A Walnut Creek trauma therapist who provides therapy to people located in California.

Meet Elese Lorentzen, LCSW - EMDR Therapist Walnut Creek

Have you tried therapy in the past but still feel stuck? Has past therapy felt aimless or confusing? I want to offer you a different experience.

When I have asked people what didn’t work in therapy with their previous therapist, the most common answer is some version of this: “the therapist just let me talk. I never received feedback from them,” or “the therapist only asked how I felt. I wasn’t sure what our goals were.” Because I have experienced passive-style therapists in the past, I personally appreciate the need for therapeutic transparency and common goals to improve people’s quality of life. My delivery is aligned with assertive communication: direct, gentle, and respectful. Each session’s pace is based on the client’s current needs. Since people experience life through emotional, cognitive, and somatic perceptions, I address them all in therapy.

Most of my training relates to complex trauma, emotional abuse, family systems dynamics, depression, and anxiety. My approach is influenced by Bessel van der Kolk and Stephen Porges’ research, and interventions developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, Gabor Maté, Peter A. Levine, Tara Brach, Richard Schwartz, and Pete Walker. I’m familiar with Patrick Teahan, Dr. Ramani, and John Bradshaw’s work on childhood trauma, toxic relationships, and narcissistic abuse; I incorporate many of these concepts into my counseling. I have completed multiple trainings on treatment for narcissistic abuse through Dr. Ramani. I also completed EMDR training through the EMDR Institute.

Walnut Creek Therapist

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Blog

Read some of my posts about grounding techniques, emotional abuse, communication styles, burnout, and other related topics that can help you improve your wellbeing and relationships.

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Trauma Therapy

San Francisco Bay Area

Trauma therapist taking notes during a therapy session with a client in a cozy Walnut Creek office.

A Therapist Near Me

Teletherapy Sessions

Therapy from the convenience of your home. A great option for those who are located outside of the San Francisco Bay Area or don’t prefer commuting to a therapy office.

In Person Therapy

A great choice for those who are located in the San Francisco Bay Area and prefer in person therapy. Elese’s office is conveniently located near the Walnut Creek BART.

Walnut Creek Office

877 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Hours
Monday–Friday
11am–8pm

Phone
(925) 482-6004

What People Say About Elese Lorentzen

Therapist in Walnut Creek

  • “As a peer, I value Elese's feedback and suggestions and would readily refer friends or family who may be looking for a therapist.”

    - Heather Hendrickson, LCSW

  • “Elese is kind, solution focused, a clear communicator.”

    - Tomasine Cole, LCSW

  • “Not only is she a competent therapist, but she is constantly willing to learn and grow to better serve others.”

    - Breanna Murguia, AMFT

Therapy that helps you grow.