Neurodivergent Therapists in Cardiff By The Sea, CA
Could it be related to neurodivergence (ND)?
My work in schools has helped me connect with children & teens while understanding their perspectives and supporting their well-being. I also have experience working with abuse and control, offering nonjudgmental psychoeducation and practical strategies to build self-awareness, improve communication, and navigate relationship and/or legal challenges.
Could it be related to neurodivergence (ND)?
My work in schools has helped me connect with children & teens while understanding their perspectives and supporting their well-being. I also have experience working with abuse and control, offering nonjudgmental psychoeducation and practical strategies to build self-awareness, improve communication, and navigate relationship and/or legal challenges.
Hi there. My name is Narine Babanyan and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of CA. I have almost 20 years of experience and love my job very much. My approach to therapy utilizes Interpersonal therapy, CBT, Strength-based, Solution focused, Eclectic, Supportive, Motivational Interviewing, and Conflict resolution. I have worked with Pregnant and postpartum women who have issues such as life transitions, grief, adjustment to medical conditions, and adults in general. My communication style allows me to create a Supportive environment, strength-based, and short-term solution-focused.
Hi there. My name is Narine Babanyan and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of CA. I have almost 20 years of experience and love my job very much. My approach to therapy utilizes Interpersonal therapy, CBT, Strength-based, Solution focused, Eclectic, Supportive, Motivational Interviewing, and Conflict resolution. I have worked with Pregnant and postpartum women who have issues such as life transitions, grief, adjustment to medical conditions, and adults in general. My communication style allows me to create a Supportive environment, strength-based, and short-term solution-focused.
I am a mindfulness oriented integrative clinical psychologist with extensive experience in a wide range of therapeutic methods to help you overcome obstacles, end unhealthy patterns and achieve well being. For over 30 years I have been adding, blending and refining many treatment modalities, including mindfulness psychotherapy, MCBT and psychodynamic therapy to ensure the best fit for each person while encouraging self-compassion. My style is active, intensive and collaborative. If you have a willingness for self-examination as well as the motivation to try new ways of thinking and acting, then I can facilitate that journey.
I am a mindfulness oriented integrative clinical psychologist with extensive experience in a wide range of therapeutic methods to help you overcome obstacles, end unhealthy patterns and achieve well being. For over 30 years I have been adding, blending and refining many treatment modalities, including mindfulness psychotherapy, MCBT and psychodynamic therapy to ensure the best fit for each person while encouraging self-compassion. My style is active, intensive and collaborative. If you have a willingness for self-examination as well as the motivation to try new ways of thinking and acting, then I can facilitate that journey.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, or the challenges of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or parenthood? Do you find it hard to feel like yourself, support your child or teen, or move forward after difficult experiences?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, or the challenges of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or parenthood? Do you find it hard to feel like yourself, support your child or teen, or move forward after difficult experiences?
Welcome! I've been helping people to understand themselves and navigate life's challenges for over 30 years. I always aim to be empathic, collaborative, productive and practical. My care and our conversations would be thorough, individualized and holistic, integrating multiple perspectives and strategies. I enjoy working with older teens through older adults, and have specialty interests in adolescence, relationships, women's issues, eating concerns, and parenting at all ages. Having raised two young adults, I understand the challenges of modern family life and staying balanced in our hectic world.
Welcome! I've been helping people to understand themselves and navigate life's challenges for over 30 years. I always aim to be empathic, collaborative, productive and practical. My care and our conversations would be thorough, individualized and holistic, integrating multiple perspectives and strategies. I enjoy working with older teens through older adults, and have specialty interests in adolescence, relationships, women's issues, eating concerns, and parenting at all ages. Having raised two young adults, I understand the challenges of modern family life and staying balanced in our hectic world.
Therapy for Teen Girls and Women Cathy Sharer LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of yourself? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. I offer a warm, supportive space for tweens, teens, and women navigating anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, relationships, grief, stress, and life transitions. Together, we’ll build practical tools, strengthen confidence, and help you feel more grounded and like yourself again. Taking the first step can feel hard, but reaching out is a step toward feeling better. Let’s connect and see if we’re a good fit.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of yourself? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. I offer a warm, supportive space for tweens, teens, and women navigating anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, relationships, grief, stress, and life transitions. Together, we’ll build practical tools, strengthen confidence, and help you feel more grounded and like yourself again. Taking the first step can feel hard, but reaching out is a step toward feeling better. Let’s connect and see if we’re a good fit.
Dr. Lauren Wyatt - Trauma and Attachment Expert
Psychological Associate, Ph.D.
1 Endorsed
Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
You may appear to be holding everything together while privately feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or trapped in the same painful patterns. Trauma, relationship wounds, anxiety, depression, grief, or major life changes may be affecting how safe you feel, how you connect with others, and how you see yourself. Perhaps you understand why you struggle but still cannot seem to change it. Therapy can offer a place to slow down, feel genuinely understood, and begin making sense of what you have been carrying. You do not have to keep navigating it alone.
You may appear to be holding everything together while privately feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or trapped in the same painful patterns. Trauma, relationship wounds, anxiety, depression, grief, or major life changes may be affecting how safe you feel, how you connect with others, and how you see yourself. Perhaps you understand why you struggle but still cannot seem to change it. Therapy can offer a place to slow down, feel genuinely understood, and begin making sense of what you have been carrying. You do not have to keep navigating it alone.
You didn’t get to where you are by accident—but you still don’t always trust your own judgment. You reach career goals, support others, and look like you’ve got it all together, yet still feel stuck in self-doubt, burnout, or emotional patterns you thought you outgrew. I help high-achieving women untangle the perfectionism that leads to overwhelm, the fear that blocks boundaries, and the relationship struggles that leave them feeling alone—even when they’re not. I have a special interest in helping women who are seeking to turn their adhd into a superpower rather than a saboteur.
You didn’t get to where you are by accident—but you still don’t always trust your own judgment. You reach career goals, support others, and look like you’ve got it all together, yet still feel stuck in self-doubt, burnout, or emotional patterns you thought you outgrew. I help high-achieving women untangle the perfectionism that leads to overwhelm, the fear that blocks boundaries, and the relationship struggles that leave them feeling alone—even when they’re not. I have a special interest in helping women who are seeking to turn their adhd into a superpower rather than a saboteur.
Working through difficult experiences and emotions can be challenging. It can be even harder to make desired changes in ones life when certain patterns have been established for so long. I work hard to ensure that my clients feel safe and supported throughout this process. By creating a comfortable and lighthearted environment, individuals, families, and couples are able to gain some reprieve from the difficulties they are experiencing. This allows change to begin to occur in the lives of my clients.
Working through difficult experiences and emotions can be challenging. It can be even harder to make desired changes in ones life when certain patterns have been established for so long. I work hard to ensure that my clients feel safe and supported throughout this process. By creating a comfortable and lighthearted environment, individuals, families, and couples are able to gain some reprieve from the difficulties they are experiencing. This allows change to begin to occur in the lives of my clients.
I have a unique ability to connect with people. Sometimes there are people that have a hard time clarifying what their thoughts and feelings are. They get confused. They hear voices in their head. They think people are making fun of them because they are born different. It can be really hard for Their own families to help. I help their families achieve common ground . Teenagers know I am real even if I tell them things they don’t want to hear. I have assisted many young adults make the difficult transition to adulthood. Older adults know that I want to hear about their life and assist them with the challenges of getting old.
I have a unique ability to connect with people. Sometimes there are people that have a hard time clarifying what their thoughts and feelings are. They get confused. They hear voices in their head. They think people are making fun of them because they are born different. It can be really hard for Their own families to help. I help their families achieve common ground . Teenagers know I am real even if I tell them things they don’t want to hear. I have assisted many young adults make the difficult transition to adulthood. Older adults know that I want to hear about their life and assist them with the challenges of getting old.
You may appear to be functioning well on the outside, yet internally feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in painful relationship patterns. Many of my clients struggle with betrayal trauma, codependency, love addiction, emotional neglect, or the effects of addiction within the family. You might feel exhausted from repeating the same cycles, doubting your reality, or losing yourself while trying to care for others.
With 28 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I offer a structured, compassionate, and direct approach. My work focuses on developmental trauma, attachment repair, boundaries, self-worth, and relationshi
You may appear to be functioning well on the outside, yet internally feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in painful relationship patterns. Many of my clients struggle with betrayal trauma, codependency, love addiction, emotional neglect, or the effects of addiction within the family. You might feel exhausted from repeating the same cycles, doubting your reality, or losing yourself while trying to care for others.
With 28 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I offer a structured, compassionate, and direct approach. My work focuses on developmental trauma, attachment repair, boundaries, self-worth, and relationshi
Throughout my career as a therapist, I have worked with individuals, families, and couples to navigate through difficult times. With compassion and understanding, I work to create a warm and safe environment so that each individual can build upon their strengths in order to attain the personal growth that they are committed to accomplishing in their lives. In a collaborative environment, support and practical feedback will be offered that effectively addresses personal life challenges. I incorporate complimentary techniques to offer a tailored approach that is personalized to each client.
Throughout my career as a therapist, I have worked with individuals, families, and couples to navigate through difficult times. With compassion and understanding, I work to create a warm and safe environment so that each individual can build upon their strengths in order to attain the personal growth that they are committed to accomplishing in their lives. In a collaborative environment, support and practical feedback will be offered that effectively addresses personal life challenges. I incorporate complimentary techniques to offer a tailored approach that is personalized to each client.
I strive to provide a space where you feel safe to fully explore all parts of your emotional life. My hope is that therapy gives you an opportunity to genuinely better understand yourself and those you are closest to. I offer a compassionate, down-to-earth, and direct perspective. My approach is integrative and I incorporate different methods from therapeutic approaches that I find most helpful. To me, my role as a therapist is to support you in whatever it is that challenges you and your relationships, and to offer you the tools and perspective to find healing in your life.
I strive to provide a space where you feel safe to fully explore all parts of your emotional life. My hope is that therapy gives you an opportunity to genuinely better understand yourself and those you are closest to. I offer a compassionate, down-to-earth, and direct perspective. My approach is integrative and I incorporate different methods from therapeutic approaches that I find most helpful. To me, my role as a therapist is to support you in whatever it is that challenges you and your relationships, and to offer you the tools and perspective to find healing in your life.
I'm a somatic therapist who specializes in EMDR. The thing that sparks the most joy for me as a therapist is being the catalyst for positive change. A guide to help individuals find peace within themselves. I love being able to shed light on shadows that might have been overlooked, helping individuals and couples make permanent changes in order for them to reach their full potential, and live their best life. I believe that through our own introspection and deep work we can unlock a world of opportunities.
I'm a somatic therapist who specializes in EMDR. The thing that sparks the most joy for me as a therapist is being the catalyst for positive change. A guide to help individuals find peace within themselves. I love being able to shed light on shadows that might have been overlooked, helping individuals and couples make permanent changes in order for them to reach their full potential, and live their best life. I believe that through our own introspection and deep work we can unlock a world of opportunities.
Life is complex and it's often hard to handle the situations that come up each day or resurface over longer periods of time. Whether figuring out what to do about challenging children, issues in a close relationship, or which way to go as you move forward in life, uncertainties can stop anyone in their tracks. Few things are worse than feeling stuck and struggling when it seems like everyone else has it all figured out. It doesn't have to be that way. Things change, if we're watching we find opportunities to heal, learn, and grow.
Life is complex and it's often hard to handle the situations that come up each day or resurface over longer periods of time. Whether figuring out what to do about challenging children, issues in a close relationship, or which way to go as you move forward in life, uncertainties can stop anyone in their tracks. Few things are worse than feeling stuck and struggling when it seems like everyone else has it all figured out. It doesn't have to be that way. Things change, if we're watching we find opportunities to heal, learn, and grow.
I work with individuals who are carrying a great deal internally, even if others may not realize it. I have a special focus on working with emerging adults and student-athletes navigating identity shifts, burnout, and the transition into adulthood. This often includes feeling uncertain about who you are outside of achievement, sport, academics, or external expectations, especially when the structures that once defined you begin to change or fall away.
As a former Division I collegiate athlete, I understand the intensity of performance-driven environments and how deeply they can shape identity, self-worth, and emotional experience.
I work with individuals who are carrying a great deal internally, even if others may not realize it. I have a special focus on working with emerging adults and student-athletes navigating identity shifts, burnout, and the transition into adulthood. This often includes feeling uncertain about who you are outside of achievement, sport, academics, or external expectations, especially when the structures that once defined you begin to change or fall away.
As a former Division I collegiate athlete, I understand the intensity of performance-driven environments and how deeply they can shape identity, self-worth, and emotional experience.
I am passionate about childhood mental health as I believe intervening early will help your child meet their full potential and grow up to be an emotionally healthy, confident adult. The parent-child relationship is vital, so I aim to include you, the caregiver, as much as is possible and appropriate during treatment. I would love to help you and your child connect in more positive ways through play, as well as support your child learn positive coping skills to support challenging behaviors and big feelings.
I am passionate about childhood mental health as I believe intervening early will help your child meet their full potential and grow up to be an emotionally healthy, confident adult. The parent-child relationship is vital, so I aim to include you, the caregiver, as much as is possible and appropriate during treatment. I would love to help you and your child connect in more positive ways through play, as well as support your child learn positive coping skills to support challenging behaviors and big feelings.
Hello! I am Dr. Jen! I am a multi-state Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I believe in expansive social work practice by utilizing a poly-theoretical perspective using a variety of treatment modalities to address the specific needs and circumstances of the individual. I enjoy working with individuals through the lifespan from age 6 to geriatrics.
Hello! I am Dr. Jen! I am a multi-state Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I believe in expansive social work practice by utilizing a poly-theoretical perspective using a variety of treatment modalities to address the specific needs and circumstances of the individual. I enjoy working with individuals through the lifespan from age 6 to geriatrics.
The most useful tool in psychotherapy is a thoughtful, interactive dialogue. My goal is to engage clients using their unique strengths and experience, in order to help them create a life that is meaningul to them.
-3/2025- Hello- Currently, I am working a limited schedule, and not accepting new patients, due to me recovering from a health issue. However, if you or your family member are a prior patient of mine, please contact me and I will do my best to get you in. Thx, Dr S
The most useful tool in psychotherapy is a thoughtful, interactive dialogue. My goal is to engage clients using their unique strengths and experience, in order to help them create a life that is meaningul to them.
-3/2025- Hello- Currently, I am working a limited schedule, and not accepting new patients, due to me recovering from a health issue. However, if you or your family member are a prior patient of mine, please contact me and I will do my best to get you in. Thx, Dr S
More Therapists Nearby
Saturday & Sunday Teletherapy - heal from home. Do you look "fine" on the outside but feel tired, numb, or stuck on the inside? Do you stay busy just to avoid feeling? If you're a trauma survivor, a woman healing from a hard childhood or relationship, or someone worn out from overthinking, anxiety, or family stress, you're not alone. Many people come to us after talk therapy didn't quite get to the root of things. They're tired of just surviving and ready to feel like themselves again. What you have been through matters and healing is possible. You don't need it all figured out - just bring yourself and we'll take it from there.
Saturday & Sunday Teletherapy - heal from home. Do you look "fine" on the outside but feel tired, numb, or stuck on the inside? Do you stay busy just to avoid feeling? If you're a trauma survivor, a woman healing from a hard childhood or relationship, or someone worn out from overthinking, anxiety, or family stress, you're not alone. Many people come to us after talk therapy didn't quite get to the root of things. They're tired of just surviving and ready to feel like themselves again. What you have been through matters and healing is possible. You don't need it all figured out - just bring yourself and we'll take it from there.
See more therapy options for Cardiff By The Sea
Nearby Neurodivergence Therapists Searches for Cardiff By The Sea
- Bonsall
- Cardiff
- Del Mar
- Encinitas
- Escondido
- La Jolla
- Oceanside
- Poway
- Rancho Santa Fe
- San Marcos
- Solana Beach
- Vista
FAQ - Neurodivergent Counselling
What does neurodivergent mean?
Neurodivergent is a broad term used to describe people whose brains process, learn, or respond to information in ways that differ from what is considered “typical.” Neurodivergence can include autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and other forms of neurological difference. The term comes from the idea of neurodiversity, which recognizes that differences in brain function are a natural part of human variation. Rather than viewing neurodivergence only through the lens of neurological disorders, this perspective acknowledges that neurodivergent people may experience both strengths and challenges. For example, a person may be very creative and intelligent, while also needing support with sensory sensitivity or learning differences.
What issues do neurodivergent people commonly bring to therapy?
Neurodivergent people often seek therapy for many of the same reasons as anyone else, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, or major life transitions. They may also want support with challenges specifically related to neurodivergence; for example, therapy may help with executive functioning, social communication, sensory sensitivity, school/learning stress, or the experience of feeling misunderstood in society. Therapists can also help individuals and families diagnose conditions, as well as distinguish regular challenges associated with childhood and/or adolescence from more enduring conditions. When needed, a therapist may also provide referrals to additional specialists, such as occupational therapists or psychiatrists who can prescribe psychiatric medication.
What therapeutic approaches work well for neurodivergent clients?
Therapy for neurodivergent clients is often most helpful when it is flexible and affirming. Rather than expecting every client to fit one standard model of therapy, neurodivergent-affirming therapists may adapt sessions to each person’s needs and therapy goals. Often, this includes visual aids, movement breaks, or other therapy supports. Common structured therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be useful for some neurodivergent clients, but the approach may need to be modified to avoid feeling overly rigid or focused on changing traits that are part of a person’s natural neurodivergence. Other approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, may also be helpful depending on the client’s needs.
Who is included in Psychology Today's directory of neurodivergent therapists?
Psychology Today’s directory of neurodivergent therapists includes professionals who self-identify as neurodivergent, as well as therapists who describe their work as neurodivergent-affirming or who specialize in areas such as ADHD, autism, learning differences, or sensory processing concerns. When reviewing a therapist’s profile, look at their bio, listed specialties, treatment approach, and experience working with neurodivergent clients. You may also want to consider whether they offer supports that matter to you, such as online therapy, accessible office space, or familiarity with specific concerns like anxiety, depression, or trauma.