Meet Malia Reynolds | Somatic & Trauma-Informed Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Malia Reynolds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Malia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’m a trauma-informed, depth-oriented therapist based in Pasadena. I work Somatically, which in simpler terms means that beyond talk therapy, I pay close attention to how the body holds our story. Because most of what we’ve been through doesn’t just live in our thoughts — it lives in our nervous system too.
At the end of the day, I believe people need people. And getting to be a pillar in someone’s journey of growth and self-discovery is what drives me every single day.

There is something truly remarkable about being a witness to another person’s inner world — watching someone process a difficult memory, seeing a client become more self-aware and accountable, celebrating their wins and holding space for their losses. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. This is especially true when someone shows up to do this work during one of the hardest, most confusing seasons of their life. This career keeps me deeply connected to the human spirit, and I am constantly inspired by the people who trust me with their stories.

I don’t believe healing is ever just personal — it has a wider reach, like a ripple effect. And that’s the backbone of why I do this work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The real turning point came right after I graduated from undergrad. I had a profoundly spiritual experience that stopped me in my tracks and made me ask myself what direction I was headed in. That was the spark and my pivot moment. I realized I had a large capacity for sitting with complexity, partly because my own story isn’t simple, and I came to realize most people’s stories aren’t either. That made me feel genuinely open to the idea of sitting with the parts of people’s lives that don’t feel pretty to share. I recognized it, and I wasn’t afraid it. Getting to show up for someone as a witness, a challenger, and a sounding board while they actively piece their life together is something I find both exciting and humbling all in one.

What sets my work apart is that I never want a client to feel like they’re sitting across from a clinician with a clipboard. I bring my full humanity into the room. I work with all sorts of people, but the two populations I’ve been most focused on recently are athletes and women navigating family estrangement. I believe deeply in the power of genuine connection, creativity, being direct, consistency, accountability, and humor. Laughter can be an incredibly healing tool!

Building this practice hasn’t always been easy. Creating something from scratch while also being a mom to young kids requires a kind of faith in myself that I have to keep choosing. What has made the biggest difference for me is having grounding mentors, people a little further down the road than me, who’ve been generous with their wisdom and time. I’ve always sought out people like that to have in my corner, and I’ve leaned on their insight more than they probably know.

What I’m most proud of is the effort I make to keep showing up for my clients with a full tank. I’m a lifelong learner at my core. I invest in advanced trainings, consult regularly, and am intentional about surrounding myself with other clinicians who inspire me to keep growing and to remain curious. A lot of thought, creativity, and care goes into how I show up in my work, and that intentionality matters deeply to me. It’s something I never want to lose sight of.

I’m also genuinely excited about the community I’ve been building among fellow therapists and practitioners. So far I’ve hosted four networking events, including an indoor rock climbing mixer for Somatic practitioners and a ‘Craft & Connect’ jewelry making mixer for therapists — and I plan to host more. There’s something really special about creating spaces centered on bringing people together in an intimate and fun way. Connection in this field matters, and I love being someone who cultivates it!

And the lesson I’d want anyone building something to hear? This is a marathon, not a sprint. Do your best to show up. Go to the networking events. Create your own event if nothing out there excites you. People will attend. And just as importantly, know when to say no. Know when to slow down and let your own nervous system settle. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and that’s not just advice I give my clients, it’s something I have to practice too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay, buckle up!

Up early and over to Aroma Cafe in Studio City, but we’re getting there when they open, because that quiet window before the crowds arrive, sitting outside with a coffee in hand, is truly one of life’s simple pleasures. The people who work there are wonderful and it sets the best tone for the day.

From there we’re heading to the Huntington Gardens in San Marino. It doesn’t feel real — it’s that beautiful!

Next on the list: we’re going to Zuma Beach — my favorite! But we’re stopping at Bluey’s Kitchen in Santa Monica on the way, because I don’t care what time it is, I’m getting the Sweet Squash Pancakes and their Breakfast Burrito.

We’re taking a stroll through Larchmont Village, picking up a chocolate chip cookie from Levain Bakery and sipping on a Topo Chico.
(This trip is mostly about delicious food)

That evening we’re heading to Mother Wolf near Hollywood for dinner. Sitting and eating at the bar is a really fun thing to do!

Then we’re going to the Magic Castle, because it’s one of those only-in-LA experiences that never gets old.

As we wind down our week, we’re having a picnic in Griffith Park.

Afterwards, I’m taking my best friend to an indoor bouldering gym. Hollywood Boulders staff are very kind.

And we’re capping the week at Universal Studios for a full day of rides — the perfect send-off!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To Sarah Case — you have been one of the greatest lights on my road of self-discovery. Your authenticity, your depth, and the way you hold space has made me feel safe and alive in my own system in ways I can’t fully put into words. I am eternally grateful for you.

To Marcia Lite-Braus — an angel on earth, truly. Nearly a decade of mentorship, and you have never stopped championing me. You taught me how to walk the talk, and so much of the confidence and drive I bring to my work traces back to your guidance and your loving presence in my life.

And to my husband — my gentle soul, my safe place. You have given me the space to be fully myself, to try new things, to fall and get back up again. I’m so lucky to call you home.

None of where I am exists without these three people. Thank you for believing in me before I always believed in myself.

Website: https://www.maliareynoldstherapy.com

Instagram: @maliathesomatictherapist

Image Credits
Sarah Williams
Katy Pritchett