Financial Therapy for Money Trauma
in California

  • Is this you?

    You have a fear of spending money, fear of market fluctuations, or a constant anxiety about your finances?

  • Have you ...

    avoided making important financial decisions for yourself? Have you ever felt stuck, or that there is something wrong with you, or that you don’t deserve to have or be good with money?

  • Or maybe you ...

    avoid dealing with your finances including not opening or paying your bills, not managing debts, not depositing your checks, or avoiding financial planning?

  • Maybe you

    experience flashbacks to past financial crises including loss of a job, house, retirement, or feeling a deep sense of shame or failure related to your financial status.

  • Are you looking

    to understand and heal past traumatic experiences such as childhood financial trauma which can include food insecurity, feelings of scarcity, or financial flashpoints that had life changing consequences experienced by you or your family such as divorce, addiction, bankruptcy, financial infidelity, tax evasion?

What if you were able to feel confident and in control of your money?

What is Financial Trauma?

Financial trauma refers to the emotional and psychological distress that can arise from experiencing significant financial hardship or stress. This could include events such as prolonged unemployment, sudden loss of income, significant debt, bankruptcy, or exposure to economically abusive relationships. The trauma can affect your mental health and overall well-being, influencing your behavior towards money and financial decision-making.

Financial Therapy can help heal Money Trauma

A picture of a financial therapist in California supporting a male client who is experiencing financial trauma, chronic money stress and anxiety, from the loss of a job.

You want specialized therapy that supports not only your emotional wellbeing but also your financial wellbeing. We understand. Therapy for Financial Trauma at Koru Financial Therapy may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Financial trauma can arise from a variety of experiences that significantly disrupt a person's financial stability or perceptions about financial security.

Causes of Financial Trauma

  • Extended periods without a job or working in a low-paying job that doesn't meet basic needs can lead to significant financial stress and trauma.

  • This could be due to being laid off, a business failing, or significant changes in an industry that reduce or eliminate income sources unexpectedly.

  • Struggling with unmanageable debt or going through bankruptcy can be traumatic, especially if it leads to aggressive collection practices, legal consequences, or a sense of personal failure.

  • High medical bills, especially without adequate insurance coverage, can devastate finances.

    Chronic health issues that affect the ability to work can also lead to financial trauma. Read more about coping with financial stress after diagnosis.

  • Events like recessions, market crashes, bank collapses, or real estate busts can erase savings, devalue investments, and lead to widespread financial instability.

  • Experiencing or growing up in an environment with poor financial management can leave lasting impacts, particularly if it led to significant family stress or hardship.

  • Being controlled through economic means by a partner or family member, such as having access to money restricted or being prevented from gaining employment, can cause financial trauma. Read more about if you are in a financially abusive relationship how to get your financial house in order.

  • Long-term exposure to poverty or systemic economic inequalities can lead to financial trauma, with continuous financial strain impacting mental and emotional health.

  • Large financial losses from investments or entrepreneurial ventures going awry can be particularly traumatic, especially if they involve personal liability or the loss of life savings.

Money trauma examples

Ben

Ben is a 57-year-old single professional employed male with over $300,000 in debt. He grew up in a country with war and civil strife where he endured financial and physical insecurity as a child and young man. Although he has access to building financial security in the US as an accomplished professional, his finances remain in a state of chaos and he has not been able to break the cycle leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and medical issues.

Sarah

Sarah is a 45 y/o single female who experiences chronic anxiety related to her finances. She has a history of trauma in childhood. She was referred to Financial Therapy following a dip in the market where she sold all of her holdings. She feels deep shame about this choice. Her goal is to re-join the market and benefit from long-term holdings and investing.

Ron

Ron is a  50 y/o male who owns his own business and is doing well in his career. He is married and lives a comfortable life but he has not paid taxes in the last 5 years and is now going through a re-payment process. He has a history of generational trauma where his father avoided taxes and the family was evicted from their home. He feels guilt and shame and wants to advance his business and build financial wellbeing in his family.

A picture of a succulent blooming represents the potential for growth working with a Financial Therapist in California to heal trauma and reduce financial avoidance.

Koru Financial Therapy can help heal Financial Trauma

Koru Financial Therapy provides a comprehensive method for healing from financial trauma, addressing both the root psychological issues and the practical aspects of rebuilding financial health.

  • Koru Financial Therapy begins by acknowledging the emotional pain and stress caused by financial trauma. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to express their fears, anxieties, and frustrations about money, which is crucial for emotional healing.

  • Koru Financial Therapy help clients trace the roots of their financial distress, whether it stems from personal experiences like bankruptcy or foreclosure, or familial attitudes towards money. Understanding the source of trauma is a key step in overcoming its impact.

  • Financial trauma can lead to deeply ingrained negative beliefs about money or self-worth. Koru Financial Therapy works with clients to challenge and reframe these beliefs, helping them develop a more positive and realistic understanding of money and their financial capabilities.

  • Koru Financial Therapy helps individuals learn to replace harmful financial behaviors with positive ones.

    This might involve setting up a budget, planning for emergencies, or learning to use credit responsibly—practical steps that rebuild financial confidence and control.

  • Part of healing involves education. Koru Financial Therapy often teaches key financial concepts that clients may have missed or misunderstood previously, such as how to invest, manage debt, or plan for retirement.

    Increased knowledge can reduce future anxieties about money.

  • Each person’s financial trauma and circumstances are unique. Koru Financial Therapy helps clients develop personalized recovery plans that address their specific needs, goals, and financial situations.

    This plan might include short-term objectives like opening bills regularly and long-term goals like saving for a home.

  • Koru Financial therapy equips clients with strategies to manage future financial stress effectively, helping prevent relapse into trauma responses. This might include stress-reduction techniques or establishing a support network.

  • Healing from financial trauma is often a long-term process. Regular sessions with Koru Financial Therapy provides ongoing support and accountability, helping individuals stay on track with their financial and emotional goals.

Contact Us

Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10am–5pm

Phone
(916) 234-6733

Calls or emails will be returned within 24 hours during business days.

Services

  • In-person

  • Ecotherapy

  • Online