Dr. Karol Darsa - Psychologist, Author, & Founder of Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Center

Dr. Karol Darsa

Dr. Karol Darsa is a licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma. She is the founder and executive director of Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Centers, which she established in Los Angeles in 2014.

Dr. Darsa co-created The Invisible War Recovery Program, an intensive trauma treatment program for veterans suffering from military sexual trauma. The program was inspired by the Academy Award-nominated documentary The Invisible War. Katie Couric featured Dr. Darsa on her nationally syndicated show, and Dr. Darsa was also featured on an episode of The Doctors where she helped a woman who’d lost her legs in a traumatic car accident by providing treatment at her trauma treatment center in Los Angeles.

I’m so excited for you to connect with Dr. Darsa, check out her work and new book, and follow along as she continues to help people who are suffering and find healing from their stress and trauma.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I am a trauma psychologist, an author and founder of Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA. I have been a psychologist for 22 years and my passion has always been centered aroundtrauma healing. I work full time in my clinic where we offer intensive trauma treatment. I have an amazing staffof about 40, all working to help clients to heal from trauma. I recently created a trauma treatment method, so, in addition to working with clients and running the clinic, I teach other licensed and unlicensed therapists to be trauma therapists.

How did you get started?

Ever since I’ve known myself, I’ve loved working with people. However, my first job was working with my family in a clothing business. After a few years of working with my family, I decided that selling clothing was not my passion. I quit the business and got my first counseling job as a social worker with foster children. I loved that job, although it broke my heart daily to see how these children were abused. Working with abused and abandoned foster children prepared me to work with adults who were abused as children, and led to my interest in helping them heal from their trauma.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

I have always been fascinated by human behavior and feelings. Like most people, I have experienced childhood trauma myself. When my parents got divorced, I had to move back and forth between 2 different countries which was traumatic for me. I became sensitive to others’ traumas and became passionate about finding the root causes of their behaviors and feelings. This is how I became a trauma specialist.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion, without a doubt, is to help people who are suffering. Although I am living my passion and my purpose, I would like to be able to help more people. That is why I wrote a book and I am creatingYoutube videos, in hopes to reach more people. It breaks my heart to see so many people suffer from past traumas and how they blame themselves. My biggest passion is to help people to let go of their self-blame.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I am the happiest when someone tells me that I made a difference in their lives. It makes my day when they tell me that they heard my voice inside of their head telling them not to judge themselves. I have received many cards and emails thanking me for saving their lives; this is the most joyous feeling I can ever imagine. On another note, I am passionate about dancing. I am an avid salsa dancer, and when I dance I am also very happy.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I have to remind myself constantly about staying aware and grounded. If I let go of the awareness, I notice the negative impact right away. For this, I have to thank my teacher, Christine Schenk. I have studied energy medicine with her for 18 years and she taught me very valuable tools. She taught me a grounding practice that I do daily. When I teach my clients to be mindful and to stay in their body, I remind myself to do the same.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I think she would be quite surprised and proud, for sure. When I was younger, I was interested in many things, however, I could never finish one thing. I also hated going to school and studying. I could not even imagine that I would go to college. Little did I know that I would actually have a doctorate degree. I was worried that I would not be able to have a career for as long as I have.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation? 

“Stay in your body, stay here”. I say this throughout the day frequently to remind myself to stay grounded.

What is your biggest dream?

To travel and to speak to big crowds about trauma healing, self-love and the importance of self-discipline. 

To learn more about Dr. Darsa, her work, and her book visit her website ReconnectCenter.com. and on Facebook Karol Darsa Reconnect or Reconnect Center and on Instagram: thetraumamap or reconnectcenter and you can find The Trauma Map: Five Steps to Reconnect with Yourself is available via Amazon

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