Our Team
Debbie Jason, PhD
UCLA TRAINER & LICENSED CBT & DBT PSYCHOLOGIST
verified by Psychology Today
Dr. Jason is the co-founder and Clinical Director of Trauma Therapy CA. She also serves as a clinical psychologist for Orange County and a trainer for University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA)’s Center of Excellence.
Dr. Jason recognizes that relationships are challenging – even in the best circumstances. This is certainly true of parenting, which can be even more difficult when building a relationship with a young child who is oppositional or a teenager who may feel stressed, sad, or angry. Many parents blame themselves, feel isolated, and are unsure of what to do. Many teenagers feel alone, judged, overwhelmed or misunderstood. There is hope, though, in that you can be the solution! Through a unique approach, Dr. Jason works with people of all ages to help them develop their sense of selves, decrease stress, and establish rewarding relationships. Simultaneously, Dr. Jason coaches you to develop the necessary tools for promoting healthy relationships based on mutual love and respect. Having this space has helped many individuals understand and manage their lives better and allowed children to feel more secure and less interested in testing boundaries.
Your therapy experience with Dr. Jason will always be tailored individually to you and your strengths, with private sessions and distinct goals for each individual and/or family member as appropriate. The evidenced based practices drawn from, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), have strong scientific support for treating depression and anxiety, strengthening healthy family bonds, improving emotional control and coping skills, and increasing positive relationships.
Dr. Jason received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and completed postdoctoral training at UCLA TIES for Families. She began her post-doctoral training at UCLA in 2015 before being promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor at UCLA where she provided clinical supervision to PhD students. (UCLA is consistently ranked as one of the top psychology schools in the country) She currently works as a Clinical Psychologist II for Orange County, serving children and adolescents in foster care, residential placements and juvenile hall. She also serves as a consultant for The DMH-UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence, providing bi-weekly trainings with a joint vision to help educate every single clinician and staff serving Los Angeles (LA) County’s Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on Trauma and Resilience Informed Care. Dr. Jason is also an approved EMDR therapist through EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) and Foundationally Trained in DBT by Behavioral Tech.
Dr. Jason’s specialty is working with children and families who have been exposed to trauma or are currently experiencing stress of any kind. At Trauma Therapy CA, you can meet with Dr. Jason for individual therapy to address a wide range of concerns. Dr. Jason also provides superior cognitive, developmental, psychological and personality testing to help differentiate between conditions that have similar symptoms but very different treatments, such as trauma responses vs. ADHD vs. learning disabilities vs. anxiety.
Hannah Jason
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Hannah Jason is the Managing Director and co-founder at Trauma Therapy CA. Hannah not only believes in, but truly embodies, the power of the creative mind. She is dually trained in counseling and design with certifications from the William Glasser Reality Therapy Institute and Parsons School of Design. Hannah’s passion is in using her exquisite sensitivity and creative application of advanced therapy techniques to support your individual strengths.
Before Trauma Therapy CA, Hannah worked at Didi Hirsch’s Crisis Residential Treatment Program for adults in acute psychiatric crisis. The diagnoses of the residents Hannah served ranged from mild anxiety and depression to severe psychosis and Bipolar Disorder. She used her knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills when counseling and leading groups for this population. Hannah has also worked as a counselor for at-risk teenagers and young adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Hannah is extraordinarily tenacious and believes in her client’s resilience, especially after her experiences in homeless shelters and on suicide hotlines. If you are looking for counseling that is sensitive, individualized and fearless, Hannah is the coach for you.
Kelly Sorace, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Kelly Sorace, LCSW is not only knowledgeable about treating trauma, but also has a sincere capacity for empathy and caring. She understands the challenge that therapy brings and has a unique ability to create the safety necessary for this journey. Kelly works with individuals to create goals and treatment plans that lead to healing and growth through built insight and compassion. Kelly is well versed in working with children and families who have been impacted by complex trauma, including abuse, neglect, grief and loss. Kelly has worked with individuals with an array of diagnoses including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, substance use disorders and is also skilled in working with individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Kelly is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Behavioral Tech and currently co-leads the DBT group at Trauma Therapy CA.
Kelly received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus in Children, Youth, and Families. Kelly started her career at a foster care and adoption agency providing support to children and families. She continued into a day treatment center where she empowered individuals to form community connections while also ensuring that their physical, emotional, and physiological needs were being met. She is truly a therapist who thinks widely and supports each client’s specific needs and strengths.
Being vulnerable is hard. Change is hard. Kelly’s sessions examine the entire person, past and present, to assist clients in creating a brighter present and future. Kelly uses a partnership approach where clients will feel heard and validated.
Kelly is trained in specialized evidence-based techniques including Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), DBT and Motivational Interviewing (MI) for substance use and other addiction-related disorders, EMDR and CBT which provides a framework to nurture resilience in clients. If you are looking to improve your relationships, challenge thinking that is no longer working and move forward in your life with a non-judgmental and creative therapist, reach out to Kelly today.
Neda Vakili, PsyD
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE
Dr. Neda Vakili has over five years of professional therapy experience with clients. She joined Trauma Therapy CA due to her passion for supporting those healing from the impacts of trauma and stress. Dr. Vakili believes in enhancing lives through simplifying stressors while increasing understanding and consistency. The goal is to help you see things in a new way, have fulfilling relationships with others and yourself, and find relief from anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. Dr. Vakili is an integrative therapist, meaning she will match her vast therapeutic knowledge to your unique goals. The gold-standard therapies she is trained in include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness based-approaches, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as formal training in aromatherapy.
Dr. Vakili’s experience includes working with individuals who have difficulty coping with life transitions as well as feelings of anxiety, irritability or sadness resulting in regulation and relationship challenges. Therapy with Dr. Vakili promotes self-awareness, more adaptive coping skills, and improved insight as you work through current and past challenges. Dr. Vakili is intentional in applying cultural sensitivity to her work to accommodate and respect your unique opinions, values, and experiences.
Dr. Vakili considers your pace and comfort her top priority whether it’s your first day in therapy or your 10th year. Her expertise begins with a strong, clinical understanding of your comprehensive history, goals and challenges to develop precise therapy goals. This leads to effective work with each client as they overcome challenges and improve their lives through successful behavioral improvements and self-exploration. Dr. Vakili’s ultimate goal is for you to break the bondage of unhelpful patterns, realize the power of your strengths, and capture fulfillment and meaning in your life. Reach out to meet with Dr. Vakili today for a unique therapy experience that is truly tailored to you.
Tracy Lane, PsyD
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE
Dr. Lane is very committed to the growth and well-being of her clients and firmly believes that self—awareness and learning is a life-long journey. She has 14 years of experience in mental health. After earning her MSW from Touro College, she returned to California to complete her PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is certified in EMDR. Tracy’s energy is matched only by her enthusiasm for treating trauma. She places a high emphasis on her own personal growth, both professionally and within her own life experiences, to best serve her clients. Tracy’s love and empathy for those affected by trauma can be seen in the populations she has worked with, from at-risk teenagers to veteran populations in both New York City and California. She also has psychological testing experience and an extensive background working with substance use in both residential and outpatient settings.
Tracy uses an integrated theoretical approach to meet each client’s individual needs, including CBT, DBT, and ACT. Her foundational approach is most often rooted in our attachments with those closest to us in life – both in childhood and adulthood. Through tailored interventions, her clients are able to progress in creating a more secure view of themselves, healthier relationships, and an optimistic worldview to succeed. She is genuine in her desire to help, and by offering tools and skills along the way to offer relief, the therapeutic process that might be daunting can actually be quite enjoyable. If you are looking for an experienced, passionate therapist who is empathic yet honest, Tracy is the right fit for you.
Alison Ratermann, ACSW
ASSOCIATE CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Alison Ratermann is an Associate Clinical Social Worker at Trauma Therapy CA, dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals facing life’s challenges. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from San Diego State University and is successful in utilizing evidence-based techniques to foster healing and growth in her clients. Alison has specialization in evidence-based techniques including formal training in EMDR. Alison’s professional journey has been characterized by a passion for serving under-served and under-represented populations struggling with mental health issues. Her background includes extensive experience in providing support for adults and college-aged students dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use.
Alison has experience working at the community college level and supporting students with diverse backgrounds and struggles. Alison believes in creating a supportive therapeutic environment where individuals can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe space. Her eclectic modality allows her to tailor her approach to the diverse needs of each individual she works with. She is warm and dedicated to mental health advocacy and providing unwavering support throughout individuals’ mental health journeys across their lives. If you are looking for a passionate trauma therapist, set up a session with Alison today.
Jenna Webb
CLINIC COORDINATOR
Jenna Webb is the Clinic Coordinator at Trauma Therapy CA. Her role is to support you and make your process to therapy as smooth as possible. Jenna is currently a graduate student at Vanguard University of Southern California where she is studying to complete her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and earn licensure in both family therapy (LMFT) and professional clinical counseling (LPCC). She recently graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a B.A. in psychology. Jenna also has extensive ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy experience with children ages 5-12 on the autism spectrum. Jenna is extremely passionate about improving the world with a special focus on giving our children, teens, and young adults a voice. She hopes to use her experience and eventual licensure to create and support change. Outside of work, Jenna enjoys reading a variety of books, trying new foods, and traveling around the world. Her favorite destination was the Philippines, her home country, where she explored all its facets and rich culture. Jenna also loves dogs and has two dogs of her own.
Skylar Sexton
CLINICAL PROJECTS INTERN
Skylar Sexton is our Clinical Projects Intern at Trauma Therapy CA, where she plays a vital role in supporting therapists and patients, creating a smooth and welcoming experience. With a passion for mental health and a deep commitment to helping others, Skylar collaborates closely with the clinical team to streamline patient intake and appointment flow. She acts as a bridge between patients and doctors, effectively communicating patient concerns to help develop tailored treatment plans that meet individual needs.
Skylar graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz in 2023 and brings extensive experience in patient care coordination and leadership from her previous roles in holistic wellness clinics. She has supported doctors in treatment settings, assisting with patient care and wellness procedures, while also managing clinic operations.
Driven by her passion for mental health, Skylar is currently applying to graduate programs in Social Work, with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, yoga, live music, and spending time at the beach. Originally from Laguna Beach, she loves connecting with others and creating welcoming spaces for all..
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CONTACT
Main Office
200 Technology Dr, Suite L
Irvine, CA 92618
Mailing Address Only
15333 Culver Dr., Ste. 340
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mailing Address Only
Corona Del Mar Office
23 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92604
OUR AFFILIATIONS
UCLA Center of Excellence
Child Parent Psychotherapy
Psychology Today
OC Health Care Agency
Behavioral Tech
HOURS
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sat: By Appointment Only
Sun: 10:00am-2:00pm
After-hour appointments available