Therapists in 93102

As the founder of Santa Barbara Ecotherapy, I recognize that "therapy as usual" doesn't work for everyone. Perhaps you've said, "Nature is my therapy." AND, you need something more. Something like real therapy, in nature. Nature therapy. Welcome! You found it. Let's get to work on self-mastery, insight and clarity, self-honoring choices, healthy boundaries infused with compassion, active inner wisdom, and engagement with Wisdom greater than ourselves to get you the life you desire. Yes, you, too, can move through the world well-rooted yet free-flowing, safe in your right to create a thriving, purposeful life.

Life is challenging. We are expected to manage relationships, work, sickness, finances, and other stresses. Many of us come to experience significant anxiety, shame, anger, or depression in coping with the world. Whether you are facing an immediate crisis or longstanding concern, psychotherapy can help. With over 25 years of experience, I have assisted people in developing more effective ways of living. My therapeutic approach is informed by current neuroscience research, contemporary relational psychoanalytic thinking, phenomenology, and child development research.

I work with clients who are struggling to function fully and effectively in some or all aspects of their lives. This struggle might arise from chemical dependency, mental health challenges, stage of life transitions, grief/loss, or the patterns that arise from early challenges, such as childhood trauma. My goal is to "tune in" to where you are and what you are needing in your life today, to be responsive to the particular needs of the individual, as a support, witness and guide.

In my practice I blend together the art and science of psychotherapy with a strong focus on global change. My intention is to help you thrive. I use a comprehensive approach with a strong mind-body focus and integrate psychoanalysis with neuroscience. This helps to interpret properly and work more efficiently toward transforming maladaptive mechanisms that stifle your life. Often I use Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and Photobiomodulation and work directly and noninvasively with the brain and the nervous system. This helps you self-regulate and embody change quicker, with less distress. In most cases the results are permanent.

We are living in very stressful times that challenge us to find meaning. Often the very painful issues that bring people to therapy -- anxiety and/or depression, difficulty with relationships, life-cycle transitions, trauma, illness, aging, lack of purpose and belonging -- present a wonderful opportunity for exploration, growth, and development. I especially enjoy working with individuals in transition, whether in early adulthood, mid-life, or the "third chapter" of older age and have a special place in my heart for those who struggle with feelings of not fitting in, living non-traditional lives or in non-traditional relationships.

I aim to be a catalyst for creating hope, purpose, and meaning in a person's life. I help people to seek wholeness through integration of mind, body and soul (spirit) in order to expand their consciousness, so they can build the capacity to live more meaningfully.

My goal as a therapist is to provide a comfortable setting that allows you to get the greatest benefit from our work together. In addition to traditional office sessions, I offer flexible solutions including phone, teletherapy, or home visits. Emotional issues can trigger or make a significant contribution to anxiety, skin conditions, skin picking issues and hair pulling (trichotillomania) issues. Relaxation, visualizations, and a mixture of cognitive behavioral therapy and body-focused psychotherapy can make the difference. You can take more control by discovering how to manage your emotional triggers and by developing strategies to alleviate anxiety, skin issues, skin picking, and hair pulling.

I help people who are struggling in relationships. My personal experience with trauma led me to this work, and I strive to be a collaborative guide in helping people reclaim the truth of themselves and live in greater alignment with that truth. I specialize in working with clients who are recovering from familial or romantic relationships with people with narcissistic or borderline personalities. I am also interested in attachment styles, intergenerational trauma, and your everyday existential crises.

Are you and your partner fighting more? Do you feel distant and disconnected, lonely and truly concerned about the state of your partnership? Has infidelity got you feeling angry, depressed or anxious and is this getting in the way of your daily life, depriving you of any joy and happiness? It's time to reach out and get some professional help because trying to figure out these kinds of difficulties can be a daunting task when undertaken alone or when trying to clear out the cobwebs that make resolving partnership issues feel insurmountable. Get the help you need...now!

Is talk therapy just not working for you anymore? Feeling frustrated at the subtle gnawing pain that keeps haunting your soul? Is something in the way of your full potential and life purpose from blossoming? Is that unknown void hijacking your life and dreams? You seem to have tried it all with little to no success and you are just fed up? Feeling stuck, you question yourself, your life, or your capabilities. Drifting, no land in sight, you need a compass to guide you home to yourself. The good news, I’ve navigated this journey and understand it well. And I am here for you and to support you. Trust your intuition and reach out.

To be happy and free of suffering ... this is the experience of effective therapy. When we're witnessed, deeply understood and guided to our true self, the challenges of being human can become magical. Blending multiple clinical orientations I work with the client's whole being - mind, body & spirit - to discover his/her own unique truths and capacities. Because so much of who we are is a function of our relationships, I gravitate toward couples, families and groups, teaching people how to relate to themselves and each other with refreshing honesty and authenticity.

I work with individuals, adolescents, families, and couples experiencing depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, relationship issues, as well as those wishing to improve their life satisfaction and communication. From a psychodynamic lens, I create a supportive environment for my clients based on trust and connection. Growth becomes possible when we have the opportunity to reflect and gain insight in a non-judgmental setting. From this space we can begin to integrate aspects of ourselves that have been neglected due to challenging or painful experiences.

I know that finding the right therapist can be a daunting task. I am helpful for creative and often resilient individuals who, despite their best efforts, are suffering. It may be anxiety, depression, struggles in a relationship, or just feeling "off" that brings you to therapy. I bring a thoughtful presence blended with extensive experience. I enjoy working with clients who are curious, self-aware, and motivated for in-depth work on their concerns. I have worked effectively with graduate students, young and middle age professionals, and individuals searching for more meaning in how they live their lives.