In early January, Los Angeles County was ravaged by a series of wildfires that left a profound impact, not just on the landscape, but on the mental and emotional well-being of those who live in its wake.
  The Southern California fires, which included the Palisades and Eaton fires, collectively destroyed over 16,000 structures and claimed 27 lives. Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the relentless fires forced the evacuation of approximately 200,000 residents and inflicted an estimated $25 to $39 billion in damages.
  Witnessing homes and communities destroyed can create lasting scars that can smolder the spirit and put a match to mental health. 
   For residents of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, coping with this environmental trauma requires more than just rebuilding physical structures; it demands a holistic approach to healing—one that acknowledges the deep psychological toll of such events.

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"People are in shock," L.A.-based therapist Eden Garcia-Balis, LMFT said. 
"People need to understand that there can be both physical, emotional,

and behavioral trauma."
   
Environmental trauma can trigger anxiety, PTSD, and depression. And those with preexisting mental health issues can react even more severely.  
  While Garcia-Balis said that it is natural to feel anxious and depressed surviving the wildfires, it's also important to be conscious of how long symptoms last. The general grieving and coping process can last up to three months. Those who continue to have a lasting impact on their mental health and intense symptoms should reach out for professional help.

Garcia-Balis said coping with the wildfires is a tricky case cause many people might still not be aware of the overall impact. "The devastation will last for some time," she said, adding that it is normal to cycle through the grieving process again.
  Those who suffer from PTSD and other mental health effects may need to actively continue to work through the trauma when and if triggered later on in life.This is especially the case for first responders like firefighters who experience trauma in their jobs often. 
  What's encouraging is that Garcia-Balis said L.A. County has seen a shift in making mental health a priority for residents. "There's a huge push for the importance of stigmatizing mental health."

As a therapist and CEO of the mental health nonprofit Airport Marina Counseling Service in California, Garcia-Balis said the mindset there is encouraging people to regularly check in with mental health professionals.
  "You have to go to the doctor to get a checkup every year," 
she said. "So why can't it be like that for mental health? "
  Many people suffering from environmental trauma may experience shock, followed by the common stages of grief and loss. Many blame themselves, question how this could happen, and wonder what they could've done differently.
  It's important to remember that this trauma is out of their control, and what we can control is how they can heal.
 
While therapy might not be for everyone—and a person might not yet be ready for it— Garcia-Balis said practicing meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and grounding are just as effective in managing mental health.
  She also stressed the importance of a support system for healing both physically and emotionally.
 

 

 

 "Your thoughts, behavior, beliefs, and feelings are all connected. When one changes everything changes." 

 

 Which Therapy Is Best For Environmental Trauma?
 
There are many roads up the mountain and there's no one right way," Garcia-Balis said. "It just depends on what works best for you."
  Cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most popular options, where the therapist guides the patient to changing thoughts and behavior.
  "Your thoughts, behavior, beliefs, and feelings are all connected. When one changes everything changes," she said.
  Instead of having negative thoughts about rebuilding, take action such as making a list of resources and speaking with an insurance agent.
  Another option is narrative therapy where the patient tells their story to impact perceptions and experiences. The goal is to vent and change the perspective.
  There is also emotion-focused therapy that helps victims express their emotions so they can take action, as well as grief counseling.
  Victims can also reach out to support groups for support from those experiencing the same trauma, and community engagement.
 

The Trauma Outside L.A.

Trauma from the wildfire may have spread past the L.A. area. With news coverage, people across the U.S. may experience anxiety and environmental concerns in their home states.
  Garcia-Balis recommends getting involved in their local community to help establish environmental disaster prevention. "Because it's such a topic of news, people are more inclined to take action."
  If the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires taught us anything it's the underscored threat of wildfires in California. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness, climate action, and the importance of mental health services for environmental trauma.

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Eden Garcia- Balis, M.S. LMFT
After an extensive search, Eden Garcia-Balis, LMFT was appointed Chief Executive Officer for AMCS in 2014. Eden has been in the mental health field for over 19 years with experience in leadership and management of service programs, business operations and fundraising.  Eden was the Executive Director of the Pasadena Mental Health Center. Eden has a passion for working with the underprivileged and underserved and believes all people regardless of their socioeconomic status deserve quality mental health services they can afford.  Eden is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and brings a strong clinical background to her position at AMCS.

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