Disaster Mental Health Support
When Natural Disasters Shatter Your World
Natural disasters can strike without warning, leaving behind a wake of physical destruction and emotional trauma. Whether you've survived wildfires, floods, earthquakes, or other catastrophic events, the impact reaches far beyond material losses.
Understanding Disaster Trauma
The aftermath of a disaster often brings:
Overwhelming anxiety about future events
Grief over lost homes, possessions, and community
Survivor's guilt
Sleep disruption and heightened alertness
Difficulty returning to normal routines
Feelings of powerlessness and uncertainty
Increased annoyance over daily tasks or work
Random panic attacks or episodes that come from nowhere
“When we rebuild a house, we are rebuilding a home. When we recover from disaster, we are rebuilding lives and livelihoods.”
In addition to my background in international disaster psychology, I also bring insight from lived experience from the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, Woolsey Fires in 2018, and fires in the Santa Clarita Valley between 2015 and 2025.
Specialized Support for Disaster Survivors
With 10+ years of experience in disaster mental health response, I offer trauma-informed support and culturally sensitive support specifically designed for disaster survivors. I bring a unique understanding of the confusing challenges that accompany disasters and manmade violence. I have supported first responders, humanitarian aide workers, veterans and survivors of disasters (natural and human-caused) including;
Camp Fires in Paradise, CA (2018)
Monecito Floods and Mudslides (2018)
Woosley Fire (2018)
Borderline Bar & Grill Shooting (2018)
Route 91 Harvest Festival Las Vegas Shooting (2017)
Hurricane Katrina
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Haitian Earthquake of 2010
2013 Lushan or Ya’an Earthquake in Sichuan Province, PRC
How Disaster Recovery Therapy Helps
Together, we can:
Process trauma in a safe, supportive environment
Develop practical coping strategies
Grieve what was lost
Navigate disaster insurance and rebuilding challenges
Connect with community resources
Strength social and peer supports
Build resilience for future challenges and disasters
Define what hope after loss looks like
Find meaning in recovery
Individual & Group Support Options
One-on-one trauma therapy
EMDR for disaster-related PTSD
Community support groups
Family crisis counseling
Online/telehealth sessions
Walk and Talk sessions also available (only in SFV of SCV)
Workshops and Webinars
Focused on Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Tailored to your group, business or organization needs
Follows Red Cross, FEMA, UN, and WHO guidelines
Online or in person options available
Free Support Group for Recent Disaster Survivors
Currently offering pro-bono support groups for survivors of recent disasters.
These groups provide:
Safe space for sharing experiences
Practical coping tools
Community connection
Resource navigation support
Starting February 2025
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?
Don't let disaster trauma define your future. With compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate support, you can move from survival to recovery, finding strength and resilience along the way.
Start Today!
Contact Zack:
by email at counselingwithzack@gmail.com
by phone at (818) 860-1892
by web form
by booking your discovery call today (down below).