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BREN M. CHASSE, LMFT

Therapist in Pasadena, CA

Bren is a leading therapist in Pasadena, California, who specializes in working with clients that have experienced trauma. In conjunction to her psychodynamic approach, Bren is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which allows clients to rapidly process the trauma of their past and regain a feeling of control over intrusive traumatic memories, feelings of dissociation or disconnection with their body, and re-establish a feeling of being fully embodied.  In addition to being EMDR certified, Bren has trained at the master level in Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR), and is an Approved Consultant by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

Complimenting her work with trauma, Bren specializes in working with children and families experiencing high-conflict divorce, family violence, and those with DCFS and family court involvement.  Further, Bren has worked extensively on high-profile cases, that, by their very nature, require a level of understanding of the legal system that can, otherwise be challenging to find within the field of psychology.  Additionally, Bren has been a guest lecturer at several universities, clinical organizations, and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). 

Bren received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA.  She also has a Master’s of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Conflict-Related Trauma and a second specialization in Child Studies from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Bren is an advocate within the field of psychology, challenging other mental health providers to expand the currently narrow definition of trauma to more accurately reflect the impact the overwhelming and devastating life events we experience can have on our lives.  

Bren’s commitment to providing trauma-informed care has further led her to become a CAMFT-Approved CE provider.  She regularly facilitates workshops for other therapists on the neurobiology of trauma, the social construction of eating disorders, working with binge eating disorder, and providing comprehensive psychosocial pre-surgical assessments for bariatric patients.  Bren’s workshops have a strong emphasis on the neurophysiology of trauma.  Specifically, Bren believes that effective trauma work requires a concrete understanding for the bidirectional impact of trauma on the brain-body connection, particularly through the vagus nerve.

Bren is a licensed marriage and family therapist who provides in-person and telehealth sessions.  Bren works with individuals of all ages and has specialized training in working with children 0-5 years of age.  Bren provides her clients with a safe space to explore their past experiences, gain greater insight into the impact of those experiences, strengthen their relationships, increase resilience, and heal the painful wounds of their past.