Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Atascadero, CA

Hi, I’m Christopher Cooke, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). With a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, I specialize in helping individuals navigate trauma, PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, grief, career transitions, and relationship challenges. My goal is to provide a supportive space where you can feel truly heard and make meaningful progress.

As a therapist, I am passionate about walking alongside folks as they reveal their truths and vulnerabilities to themselves. I believe, and have witnessed that people are capable of long standing change with knowledge, support, and connection, and that therapy is a great place for that. You can learn new ways to manage life stressors, feel safe, gain confidence, and live a more joyful and purposeful life. I use cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and strength-based techniques, while never ignoring the human element and connection where the real change happens.

In addition to my work as a licensed therapist, I have over 15 years of experience supporting children, adults, couples, and families in a variety of mental health and community settings. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with teens, adults, couples, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. My passion is helping cycle breakers heal old wounds, build healthier relationships, and create lives that feel more connected, intentional, and authentic.

I have been practicing for 40 + years, in the Southbay, Torrance area. I am a psychologist with a Ph.D. I specialize with young children, adolescence. I also work with couples, families and am practized in depression, anxiety, psychosis, and divorce. I utalize cognitive/behavioral and psychdynamic therapies. I match my approach to the personality and needs of thebpatient.

I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.

You’ve done the work. You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, gone to talk therapy before — and somehow you still feel overwhelmed, STUCK or rudderless. Nonetheless, you are SUCCESSFUL, high-functioning on the outside while struggling with holding everything together FOR everyone else inside ; or even feeling imposter syndrome.

Maybe it's stress and emotional exhaustion, trapped in unexplained patterns, or carrying trauma that still lives in your body no matter how much therapy you've done. Is passing the final exam talking it's toll?

Good news, I specialize in helping people who are tired of just talking about their pain. Whether you are navigating a painful divorce, or carrying deep childhood abuse, or paralyzed by an upcoming licensing exam, I provide a space to finally address and let's CHANGE the cycle.

My Focus is Anxiety: Licensing Exam/test, ADHD, divorce anxiety/trauma, Bipolar I/II, substance/addiction disorders, CPTSD, trauma, chronic pain/health, nightmares, phobias, childhood sexual/physical/emotional abuse, sexual trauma/rape & self identity.

I have EMDR certification work completed and pursuing next level training as an EMDR Consultant because I'm passionate about this work. The work you do today can impact not only your future, but the generations that come after you. We don’t just talk about trauma — we process it at the nervous system level so your brain and body can begin to heal. For EXAM anxiety, we dive quickly into EMDR to process.

Welcome and congratulations on beginning your therapy journey! I'm here to support you as you take steps toward your goals and develop into your best possible self. I hope to create a safe space for you to find relief, healing, and develop meaningful insight to reach your fullest potential.

It is my prayer to build a practice that helps you reach a place where your mental health is truly at the forefront. My hope is that with each appointment—and each day—you feel supported in moving closer to the best version of yourself.

If a past relationship left you doubting yourself — especially one marked by psychological or emotional abuse — you're not alone, and it's not a sign something's wrong with you. Even if life looks fine on the outside, you may feel confused, depleted, or unsure of your own reality. You don't need it all figured out to start, just a readiness to do the work. Together, we'll make sense of what happened, untangle the cycles that kept repeating, and rebuild a grounded sense of self — so you can trust your own voice again. Using a trauma-informed, integrative approach, I help you move from self-doubt to self-trust.

You don't have to filter yourself here—not your thoughts, your story, or the parts you're still making sense of. If you're tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to rebuild something solid, you deserve a space where you can show up fully, without judgment, and start trusting your own voice again.

My focus

I specialize in working with adults facing depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, occupational stress, relationship conflicts, cultural and identity issues, and survivors of abuse. I help clients build understanding and chart a path forward using evidence-based approaches.

My communication style

My style is nurturing, accepting, empathic, and personable. I use unconditional positive regard to help you feel safe without judgment. I validate how you feel and normalize your situation so you can feel comfortable and at ease in our work together.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a therapist because I have always accepted others, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe in advocating for those who may not otherwise have a voice.