Hi, I’m Morgan

I'm Morgan Nelson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Orange County, California. My private practice, Transformational Healing, offers virtual trauma therapy to adults across California using Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Brainspotting, and Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy. I became a trauma therapist because I believe healing is possible for everyone — not just survival, but genuine freedom.

Education

I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine, graduating magna cum laude in 2004. I then earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California, specializing in Child Welfare and School Social Work, along with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. In addition to my graduate training I hold advanced post-graduate certifications in EMDR, Brainspotting, Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, IFS-informed practice, and Polyvagal Theory.

Experience

My clinical experience spans over two decades across settings that gave me an unusually deep understanding of trauma in all its forms.

I began my career working with clients facing dual diagnoses — mental health challenges alongside substance use — learning early that trauma is almost always underneath. From there I moved into school social work at the junior high, high school, and community day school levels, where I saw how early intervention and genuine relationship could change a young person's trajectory.

For eight years I worked per diem as a clinical social worker in a hospital setting, providing crisis intervention, grief support, and psychosocial care to patients and families in their most vulnerable moments. And for nearly two decades I have served a government agency specializing in forensic child abuse investigations, adoption, and complex psychological assessments — work that has profoundly shaped how I understand the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the resilience that is possible when healing is truly supported.

This breadth of experience means I bring both clinical depth and real-world context to every session.

My Private Practice

At Transformational Healing I specialize in brain-based, body-forward trauma therapy using Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Brainspotting, and Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy. These approaches reach trauma where it actually lives — in the nervous system, the subconscious, the parts of us formed long before we had words for what happened.

I work with motivated, self-aware adults who are ready to do more than manage their symptoms. My clients come to me knowing they want something different — real healing, not just coping strategies. They leave having experienced it.

I practice virtually across California with weekend availability. I am private pay with superbills provided for potential out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Reiki is available as an optional adjunct for clients who are drawn to it.

Credentials and Certifications

• LCSW, California — License #27500

• MSW, University of Southern California (USC), — Magna Cum Laude, 2006

• BA Psychology and Social Behavior, UC Irvine — Magna Cum Laude, 2004

• EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist

• Certified Brainspotting Therapist

• Board-Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (NBCCH) — Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist

• IFS-Informed Practice

• Expansion Brainspotting

• Flash EMDR and EMDR 2.0

• DeTur EMDR Addiction Protocol

• Polyvagal EMDR

• Certified Binge Eating and Chronic Dieting Specialist

• Reiki Practitioner

• NPI: 1194570689