Meet Dr. Mariella Lauriola, Ph.D.
Founder, CEO & Clinical Director | Trauma Healing Therapy, Cupertino, CA
(she/her)
Founder and CEO
About Dr. Mariella
From surviving to living — building a clinic where trauma healing is deeply human, clinically grounded, and relationally safe
Dr. Mariella Lauriola is the Founder, CEO, and Clinical Director of Trauma Healing Therapy, a private-pay group psychotherapy practice specializing in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, couples therapy, relationship trauma, and intensive trauma treatment.
While Dr. Mariella is no longer accepting new therapy clients, her clinical heart remains at the center of the practice. Today, her work focuses on training and mentoring the trauma therapists, EMDR clinicians, and couples therapists at Trauma Healing Therapy, ensuring that each client receives thoughtful, deeply attuned, evidence-based care.
Dr. Mariella founded Trauma Healing Therapy with a clear mission: to create a place where people who have endured trauma do not feel pathologized, rushed, or alone — but instead feel safe, understood, and supported by clinicians who know how to hold both the science and the humanity of healing.
Before founding Trauma Healing Therapy, Dr. Mariella led a supportive housing program for women healing from trauma and psychiatric challenges. That experience shaped her belief that healing does not happen through perfection, performance, or clinical distance. Healing begins in safety, connection, dignity, and being truly seen. Sometimes that happened in formal therapy spaces; other times, it happened while rolling out pizza dough, sharing a meal, and talking honestly about life.
Over the past 15+ years, Dr. Mariella has worked across neuropsychological research, community mental health, intensive outpatient treatment, and private practice. Her background in neuropsychology and clinical neuroscience deepened her understanding of how trauma affects the brain and body, while her advanced training in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method continues to inform the clinical philosophy of the practice.
Today, Dr. Mariella’s role is to support the therapists who support the clients — through clinical consultation, EMDR training, couples therapy consultation, program development, community outreach, and ongoing mentorship.
Dr. Mariella’s Role at Trauma Healing Therapy
As Founder and Clinical Director, Dr. Mariella is involved in the clinical direction and growth of Trauma Healing Therapy. Her work includes:
- Training and mentoring Trauma Healing Therapy clinicians in trauma-informed care
- Providing EMDR consultation and supporting clinicians developing advanced EMDR skills
- Supporting couples therapists in working with relationship trauma, infidelity, attachment injuries, and high-conflict dynamics
- Developing clinical programs, including trauma intensives, couples therapy services, and specialized offerings
- Ensuring the practice remains grounded in ethical, evidence-based, culturally thoughtful care
- Leading community outreach and education around trauma, relationships, emotional safety, and healing
- Supporting the growth of the clinical team so clients are matched with therapists who can meet their needs with depth and care
Dr. Mariella believes that excellent therapy begins long before a client enters the room. It begins with thoughtful hiring, strong clinical training, ongoing consultation, and a practice culture where therapists are supported in doing deep, meaningful work.
A Note for Prospective Clients
Although Dr. Mariella is not currently accepting new individual or couples therapy clients, she remains closely involved in shaping the care offered at Trauma Healing Therapy.
If you are reaching out for therapy, our client care team will help match you with one of our experienced trauma therapists or couples therapists. Each clinician at Trauma Healing Therapy is selected and trained with great care, and Dr. Mariella remains involved in supporting the team’s clinical development.
Whether you are seeking support for childhood trauma, relationship trauma, infidelity, medical trauma, pregnancy loss, postpartum trauma, or couples therapy, our team is here to help you find the right therapeutic fit.
Schedule a free consultation with our client care team to be matched with the therapist who best fits your needs.
Education & Professional Experience
Degrees & Certifications
- PhD in Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience – Università degli Studi di Chieti/Pescara & UCSF
- MS in Psychology and Neuroscience – Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy
- BS in Psychology and Psychobiology – Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy
- Master’s in Psychological Counseling – Università degli Studi Niccolò Cusano, Rome, Italy
- Master’s in Couples Therapy and Clinical Sexology – Codex Institute, Vigo, Spain
- Master’s in Family Therapy – Codex Institute, Vigo, Spain
Experience Highlights
- 15+ years of experience in psychology field
- Founder & Clinical Director, Trauma Healing Therapy, Cupertino, CA
- Extensive experience in community mental health, intensive outpatient, and neuropsychological clinicial research settings
- Former program lead and developer for supportive housing for women with trauma and psychiatric conditions
- Advanced training in EMDR Therapy (Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant in Training)
- Advanced experience as a couples therapist (trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method)
Ready to begin your healing journey?
For the the fastest way to connect you can:
1) Give Us A Call
2) Send Us a Quick Message: Please fill out the form to contact us with any questions, request a free consultation, or to make an appointment request.
3) Schedule A Free Call with Our Client Care Team
We’re an out-of-network provider, but many clients are eligible for OON reimbursement—check your benefits HERE