Cancer Therapists in Altadena, CA
The therapeutic relationship is a powerful vehicle for transformation. Through developing a trusting relationship where all feelings are welcome, I teach people to trust themselves and thus live more satisfying and authentic lives. My primary theoretical approach is object relations. This implies that relationships imprinted in early life play out and can be reworked in therapy wherein the client can internalize healthier ways of interacting. I am privileged to engage in this deeply personal process with people motivated by their suffering to find more effective ways to relate to themselves and others.
The therapeutic relationship is a powerful vehicle for transformation. Through developing a trusting relationship where all feelings are welcome, I teach people to trust themselves and thus live more satisfying and authentic lives. My primary theoretical approach is object relations. This implies that relationships imprinted in early life play out and can be reworked in therapy wherein the client can internalize healthier ways of interacting. I am privileged to engage in this deeply personal process with people motivated by their suffering to find more effective ways to relate to themselves and others.
I offer Relational Gestalt Therapy for entertainment professionals, artists, and creatives of all kinds, as well as the general public. My unique background includes years as a professional actor before working for 16 years at Warner Bros. I know firsthand the pressures, uncertainties, and emotional complexities of the entertainment industry and the creative life and how they intersect in often stressful ways. We’ll explore what’s happening in your inner world, your relationships, and your career—so you'll be supported in finding clarity, building resilience, and discovering a deeper sense of connection to yourself and others.
I offer Relational Gestalt Therapy for entertainment professionals, artists, and creatives of all kinds, as well as the general public. My unique background includes years as a professional actor before working for 16 years at Warner Bros. I know firsthand the pressures, uncertainties, and emotional complexities of the entertainment industry and the creative life and how they intersect in often stressful ways. We’ll explore what’s happening in your inner world, your relationships, and your career—so you'll be supported in finding clarity, building resilience, and discovering a deeper sense of connection to yourself and others.
Right now, the world can seem so stressful or so depressing that it's hard sometimes just to cope from day to day. Problems that may have been manageable in the past are more challenging than ever before. Therapy can help. If you're feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, if you're struggling to deal with the demands and needs of relationships; with career, family, and friends; email or text me - or even just call - and we can begin talking about what you can do to change things for the better for yourself and for those you care about.
Right now, the world can seem so stressful or so depressing that it's hard sometimes just to cope from day to day. Problems that may have been manageable in the past are more challenging than ever before. Therapy can help. If you're feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, if you're struggling to deal with the demands and needs of relationships; with career, family, and friends; email or text me - or even just call - and we can begin talking about what you can do to change things for the better for yourself and for those you care about.
In everyone's life, there are times when heartache and pain will feel overwhelming, and you may not know how best to move forward. Some days, the ways we have coped with stress no longer work as well as they used to; other days, it may feel like everything is falling apart. No matter what your struggle is, we will work together to better understand your current challenges, and develop practical strategies to feel better and meet your goals. In your first session, we will begin to answer the question, "What would help look like right now?" and help you cultivate and develop tools you may not even know you had within your reach.
In everyone's life, there are times when heartache and pain will feel overwhelming, and you may not know how best to move forward. Some days, the ways we have coped with stress no longer work as well as they used to; other days, it may feel like everything is falling apart. No matter what your struggle is, we will work together to better understand your current challenges, and develop practical strategies to feel better and meet your goals. In your first session, we will begin to answer the question, "What would help look like right now?" and help you cultivate and develop tools you may not even know you had within your reach.
If you find yourself repeating patterns that you just can't seem to break, feel stuck, or unable to find meaning in your life, I'd like to help. The therapeutic relationship can be a powerful source of healing, change and liberation in your life. I offer compassion and authenticity and believe that healing, and change are possible for all people. I am committed to discovering what is best for you and offer guidance through the darkest moments. Together we can unravel what keeps you in grief, depression, fear or anxiety.
If you find yourself repeating patterns that you just can't seem to break, feel stuck, or unable to find meaning in your life, I'd like to help. The therapeutic relationship can be a powerful source of healing, change and liberation in your life. I offer compassion and authenticity and believe that healing, and change are possible for all people. I am committed to discovering what is best for you and offer guidance through the darkest moments. Together we can unravel what keeps you in grief, depression, fear or anxiety.
I work with adults, couples, and families who feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or stuck in repeating emotional and relational patterns. Many clients come in knowing what they’re struggling with intellectually, but still feeling reactive, shut down, or exhausted in their daily lives and relationships.
I help by combining talk therapy with somatic, trauma-informed approaches that support both insight and nervous system regulation. Together, we work to understand patterns, build emotional awareness, and create lasting change in how you relate to yourself and others.
I work with adults, couples, and families who feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or stuck in repeating emotional and relational patterns. Many clients come in knowing what they’re struggling with intellectually, but still feeling reactive, shut down, or exhausted in their daily lives and relationships.
I help by combining talk therapy with somatic, trauma-informed approaches that support both insight and nervous system regulation. Together, we work to understand patterns, build emotional awareness, and create lasting change in how you relate to yourself and others.
My name is Mashallah "Marsha" Shakur. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, based in in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults of all ages, with a particular focus on seniors and younger adults. I specialize in anxiety, depression and grief and loss, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to address the concerns presented by my clients and assist them in progressing towards their goals.
My name is Mashallah "Marsha" Shakur. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, based in in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults of all ages, with a particular focus on seniors and younger adults. I specialize in anxiety, depression and grief and loss, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to address the concerns presented by my clients and assist them in progressing towards their goals.
I work with people in transition or who are preparing for change. Artists, actors and writers. Those in bereavement. Or who are living with a catastrophic health-related diagnosis, recent or of long duration. Caregivers. Mental health interns who need to explore their own issues in order to practice mindfully. Folks who are using substances more than they want. People who want to decrease their distress but who also have a curiosity about its sources. People who want to talk with someone about the most important thing in the world, perhaps to discover what that is.
I work with people in transition or who are preparing for change. Artists, actors and writers. Those in bereavement. Or who are living with a catastrophic health-related diagnosis, recent or of long duration. Caregivers. Mental health interns who need to explore their own issues in order to practice mindfully. Folks who are using substances more than they want. People who want to decrease their distress but who also have a curiosity about its sources. People who want to talk with someone about the most important thing in the world, perhaps to discover what that is.
You’ve been navigating loss, change, or emotional overwhelm and may feel stuck, unseen, or unsure where to turn next. You don’t have to do this alone.
At Kintsugi Grief Center, I provide a safe, compassionate space where children, teens, and adults can process grief and life transitions, connect with peers, and build tools for resilience. Whether your grief stems from death, relationship loss, health changes, or life shifts, I help you explore how loss impacts your heart, body, and daily functioning.
You’ve been navigating loss, change, or emotional overwhelm and may feel stuck, unseen, or unsure where to turn next. You don’t have to do this alone.
At Kintsugi Grief Center, I provide a safe, compassionate space where children, teens, and adults can process grief and life transitions, connect with peers, and build tools for resilience. Whether your grief stems from death, relationship loss, health changes, or life shifts, I help you explore how loss impacts your heart, body, and daily functioning.
This world can be really hard to live in. But humans can be resilient! Anxiety, grief, illness, depression, trauma, injustice & change sometimes cause us to feel stuck, lose joy &meaning. I help people grow, rebuild, & find their best life, even in the midst of painful experiences & emotions. I'm committed to evidence-based treatment guided by authenticity, kindness, social justice, creativity, curiosity, collaboration, flexibility, & patience. I have a special love for working with creatives – musicians, artists, actors, etc. I am a staunch ally of the LGBTQI+ community. I have a passion for being a therapist for other therapists.
This world can be really hard to live in. But humans can be resilient! Anxiety, grief, illness, depression, trauma, injustice & change sometimes cause us to feel stuck, lose joy &meaning. I help people grow, rebuild, & find their best life, even in the midst of painful experiences & emotions. I'm committed to evidence-based treatment guided by authenticity, kindness, social justice, creativity, curiosity, collaboration, flexibility, & patience. I have a special love for working with creatives – musicians, artists, actors, etc. I am a staunch ally of the LGBTQI+ community. I have a passion for being a therapist for other therapists.
More Therapists Nearby
I have expansive experience on a personal level working with cancer survivors and their caregivers.
Hello! I am excited to be able to meet you and get to know you and your story. I enjoy working with both children and adults in a variety of different situations. I have knowledge in a variety of topics including people experiencing anxiety, PTSD, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and more.
I have expansive experience on a personal level working with cancer survivors and their caregivers.
Hello! I am excited to be able to meet you and get to know you and your story. I enjoy working with both children and adults in a variety of different situations. I have knowledge in a variety of topics including people experiencing anxiety, PTSD, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and more.
Through a compassionate, whole-person approach, we support healing from anxiety, burnout, trauma, grief, chronic illness/ cancer, parenting, and life’s most difficult transitions.
Somatic therapy helps you understand how your nervous system responds to stress, develop tools for regulation, and build a deeper sense of safety within yourself. When the mind and body begin working together, healing becomes more sustainable.
Through a compassionate, whole-person approach, we support healing from anxiety, burnout, trauma, grief, chronic illness/ cancer, parenting, and life’s most difficult transitions.
Somatic therapy helps you understand how your nervous system responds to stress, develop tools for regulation, and build a deeper sense of safety within yourself. When the mind and body begin working together, healing becomes more sustainable.
Significant life transitions, complex grief, serious illness, trauma, can change your life radically. You might be grieving the loss of normalcy and expectations about how your life should be. Maybe you are having a hard time adjusting to these changes, grappling with uncertainty or questioning your meaning and purpose.
Significant life transitions, complex grief, serious illness, trauma, can change your life radically. You might be grieving the loss of normalcy and expectations about how your life should be. Maybe you are having a hard time adjusting to these changes, grappling with uncertainty or questioning your meaning and purpose.
My areas of specialization include substance abuse, cancer, health-related issues, and trauma.
I am trained to utilize Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR to help reduce overall symptoms of PTSD. I have personal experience with cancer and addiction myself. I understand how challenging acceptance and change can be.
My areas of specialization include substance abuse, cancer, health-related issues, and trauma.
I am trained to utilize Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR to help reduce overall symptoms of PTSD. I have personal experience with cancer and addiction myself. I understand how challenging acceptance and change can be.
I work with individuals, couples, and families using specialized training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, reproductive mental health, cancer-related issues, and gender and sexuality.
We humans have multiple complexities that, when not heard and understood, can cause distress, pain, and even trauma. By being curious about your complexities together, we can both address your immediate distress and help you understand yourself more holistically, creating opportunities for sustainable healing and change. Complexities that we may explore in our work include your presenting concerns; intersecting identities; relationships with yourself, others, and the systems you exist in; life transitions and losses; acute and complex trauma(s); unwanted coping behaviors; or any combination of the above.
I work with individuals, couples, and families using specialized training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, reproductive mental health, cancer-related issues, and gender and sexuality.
We humans have multiple complexities that, when not heard and understood, can cause distress, pain, and even trauma. By being curious about your complexities together, we can both address your immediate distress and help you understand yourself more holistically, creating opportunities for sustainable healing and change. Complexities that we may explore in our work include your presenting concerns; intersecting identities; relationships with yourself, others, and the systems you exist in; life transitions and losses; acute and complex trauma(s); unwanted coping behaviors; or any combination of the above.
I specialize in supporting adults facing cancer and other serious or chronic illnesses.
I help adults & families navigate the emotional impact of cancer and other chronic or terminal illnesses. I facilitate California's End of Life Option Act and help people cope through change, loss, and uncertainty. Whether we’re working through grief, anxiety, burnout, or overwhelm, my goal is to help clients find clarity, meaning, and emotional balance.
I specialize in supporting adults facing cancer and other serious or chronic illnesses.
I help adults & families navigate the emotional impact of cancer and other chronic or terminal illnesses. I facilitate California's End of Life Option Act and help people cope through change, loss, and uncertainty. Whether we’re working through grief, anxiety, burnout, or overwhelm, my goal is to help clients find clarity, meaning, and emotional balance.
Hello, my name is Stacy Hampton, and I am an AMFT. I think all individuals deserve to
receive and have access to quality care when it comes to looking for the right place for therapy. I have been working with young people ages 5 to 24 and their families for over 20 years. I offer a safe space where you can share your feelings, be heard, and not be judged.
Hello, my name is Stacy Hampton, and I am an AMFT. I think all individuals deserve to
receive and have access to quality care when it comes to looking for the right place for therapy. I have been working with young people ages 5 to 24 and their families for over 20 years. I offer a safe space where you can share your feelings, be heard, and not be judged.
A cancer diagnosis touches every part of life—emotional, physical, relational, and psychological.
I work with adults navigating every stage of the cancer experience—from the initial shock of diagnosis, through the uncertainty of treatment, to the complex realities of survivorship. This includes grieving one’s former self, adjusting to a new normal, and coping with the ongoing fear of recurrence.
A cancer diagnosis touches every part of life—emotional, physical, relational, and psychological.
I work with adults navigating every stage of the cancer experience—from the initial shock of diagnosis, through the uncertainty of treatment, to the complex realities of survivorship. This includes grieving one’s former self, adjusting to a new normal, and coping with the ongoing fear of recurrence.
I specialize in cancer, grief, and 2nd gen immigrants.
Up until now, you followed the script—exercised, got the good job, took care of others–but something broke, and you’re de-constructing what matters. A new diagnosis is forcing you to grieve the future you'd hoped for. Or you're tired of keeping the peace at work because it's costing you your health. You’re feeling pressured to care for your aging immigrant parents, but it's hard to hold boundaries without feeling guilty. You want to cherish the time you have, without sacrificing your life. In therapy, I will hold a brave space to be present with all of your parts, as we bear witness to your grief and regulate your nervous system.
I specialize in cancer, grief, and 2nd gen immigrants.
Up until now, you followed the script—exercised, got the good job, took care of others–but something broke, and you’re de-constructing what matters. A new diagnosis is forcing you to grieve the future you'd hoped for. Or you're tired of keeping the peace at work because it's costing you your health. You’re feeling pressured to care for your aging immigrant parents, but it's hard to hold boundaries without feeling guilty. You want to cherish the time you have, without sacrificing your life. In therapy, I will hold a brave space to be present with all of your parts, as we bear witness to your grief and regulate your nervous system.
I have personal experience navigating a complex medical diagnosis and supporting cancer patients and caregivers, as well as working in private practice and high school supporting teens and adults navigating anxiety, grief, burnout, life transitions, performance anxiety, school and career shifts.
Hello! My name is Erin (she/her), and I’m accepting new clients as of September 8, 2026. In my practice, I meet every client with authenticity, curiosity, empathy, and compassion. I believe we are all complex human beings, and every emotion we feel exists for a reason. When difficult emotions like sadness begin to feel heavier than joy or peace, it’s a sign that something needs attention. I am here to help you navigate those heavy moments, working through the difficulty to create space for more lightness, joy, and peace to return.
I have personal experience navigating a complex medical diagnosis and supporting cancer patients and caregivers, as well as working in private practice and high school supporting teens and adults navigating anxiety, grief, burnout, life transitions, performance anxiety, school and career shifts.
Hello! My name is Erin (she/her), and I’m accepting new clients as of September 8, 2026. In my practice, I meet every client with authenticity, curiosity, empathy, and compassion. I believe we are all complex human beings, and every emotion we feel exists for a reason. When difficult emotions like sadness begin to feel heavier than joy or peace, it’s a sign that something needs attention. I am here to help you navigate those heavy moments, working through the difficulty to create space for more lightness, joy, and peace to return.
See more therapy options for Altadena
Nearby Cancer Therapists Searches for Altadena
- Alhambra
- Arcadia
- Eagle Rock
- Glendale
- Highland Park
- La Canada
- La Canada Flintridge
- Montrose
- Pasadena
- San Marino
- Sierra Madre
- South Pasadena
Cancer Therapists
How does cancer affect mental health?
A cancer diagnosis is a major life event that can significantly influence the mental health of any individual. Being diagnosed with cancer often introduces a sense of uncertainty about the future, which can cause clients to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and significant distress. Many cancer patients may also worry about the toll that their diagnosis may have on their family, their physical health, their job, and their financial situation. The compounding of such stressors can also decrease mental health in clients and may lead to additional symptoms that can influence mental health, such as sleeping difficulties or social withdrawal.
What is the best psychological therapy for cancer patients?
The best type of psychological therapy for cancer patients is highly dependent on the needs of the individual. The therapy type that a client benefits from may also depend on what stage of the cancer journey they are in. Recently diagnosed cancer patients, for instance, may benefit from therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help clients develop skills to manage the emotional distress that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Alternatively, cancer patients further along in their journey may benefit from therapies like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or other forms of mindfulness therapy to help manage symptoms or physical pain associated with treatment. Clients may also consider group therapy, which offers cancer patients an opportunity to receive support from other individuals dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Are there any risks or drawbacks in going to therapy while dealing with cancer?
Although attending therapy while dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be helpful, one major concern for cancer patients can be the financial cost of seeking therapy. Many therapists are out-of-network, meaning they do not accept insurance, and thus clients are expected to pay the entirety of the session fee. Since many cancer patients may be out of work as a result of their diagnosis or cancer treatment regimen, the costs of therapy sessions can be substantial. Luckily, many cancer centers and local clinics may offer free or substantially reduced-cost counseling services to cancer patients and their families. In addition, cancer patients may be eligible for grants or other forms of funding from local agencies and nonprofits to seek therapy for their cancer diagnosis. Such opportunities can be very helpful for cancer patients, as they allow clients to obtain the benefits of therapy without the financial strain.
How long does cancer therapy typically last?
The length of cancer therapy depends on the needs of each client. In some cases, cancer patients may only require therapeutic support during the period following their initial diagnosis—to help manage the uncertainty and shock of a cancer diagnosis. In other cases, clients may choose to receive therapy throughout their treatment, and even following, their cancer journey. Pursuing therapy for a longer period of time can help clients develop a deeper relationship with their therapist and provide opportunity to process the challenges presented by cancer treatment, such as physical pain, and challenges associated with cancer survivorship, such as ongoing identity concerns, physical limitations, or relationship challenges.