About Me

Larisa Traga is a California-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), master addiction counselor (MAC), with a Co-occurring disorders specialization (CCDS), providing training, supervision, consultation and therapy to the Santa Barbara county community and beyond. Larisa has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY, Binghamton and a Master's in Social Work from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) approved EMDR Certified therapist, Consultant and a Certified Trainer of International Network of Trainers for Motivational Interviewing (MINT). Larisa has been an adjunct psychology and human services instructor at Allan Hancock College since 2015, teaching courses such as Psychology, Basic Counseling Skills, Crisis Intervention and Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction. She has also worked countywide with the County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness Department since 2009 with individuals with co-occurring disorders, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), Transitional Age Youth and adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, drug court involved teens and adults and individuals experiencing crisis. Throughout her tenure at the County of Santa Barbara, as a Practitioner and Team Supervisor, she provided numerous trainings on Process Improvement using NIATx, Motivational Interviewing, Team Building and was a lead change agent participating in system wide changes initiated by the Board of Supervisors in 2013. In her private practice Larisa specializes in culturally sensitive individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults using an eclectic approach, including EMDR, CBT, MI (Motivational Interviewing), TRM and mindfulness techniques. She also offers extended sessions for current clients, as well as intensive sessions for new patients interested in expediting their healing process. Larisa treats a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, physical/sexual abuse, PTSD, self-esteem issues, workplace harassment, and more. In addition, Larisa provides high quality supervision and consultation services to MSW/MFT trainees working towards their Licensure, as well as EMDR Certification with EMDRIA. Finally, Larisa is a trainer and conducts public and private training on Evidence Based Practices, such as EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, NIATx process improvement, MATRIX model, and consultations and technical assistance on use of EMDR, and crisis debriefings using A-tip and CID (Critical Incident Desensitization).