Divorce Therapists in Los Olivos, CA

Each of us has a story. Stories shape our behaviors, thoughts and emotions, and influence how we form relationships, feel about life and ourselves. Sometimes, we hide parts of our stories to feel safe and lessen hurt. Over time, these missing parts can take root and cause suffering, leaving us drained, anxious, angry, depressed or just empty. I believe therapy is an opportunity to discover and make use of the healing power of our stories. Unearthing and reclaiming lost parts dissolves them of their power over us, alleviates our suffering and allows us to live a happier, more authentic life.

"This is your life, be the change..." Weathering pain, change and hardship without support can take its toll on our lives. My approach involves supporting people through challenging adjustments and difficult life transitions and guiding them in the pursuit of balance and life satisfaction. I see my role as helping clients with skill building to navigate unexpected life events. I am inspired by the compassion and courage of my clients to share in making lasting changes to ingrained patterns in their lives. My practice has involved working with teens and individual adults seeing a wide range of clients.

Are you feeling defeated in your life? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, family and relationship issues? With over 22 years of experience, I offer a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mind-body modalities to help you feel more empowered in your life. Together, we unwind the beliefs you hold onto that keep you stuck and limited. This allows you to make new choices in all areas of your life, enabling a state of peace, calm, and fulfillment. When you are no longer held back by a limited point of view, you are more flexible, open, and able to make positive changes.

Feeling stuck, lonely, depressed, anxious, fearful, unfulfilled, or going through a life transition? You're not alone...we all have to face life's challenges! I believe true change & growth require a willingness to take risks. Resiliency & self-trust are strengthened by facing & moving through adversity. Together, we can explore & map out a plan so you can take that leap of faith, try something new, face your fear, or learn to accept the things outside your control. Life can be hard at times...with insight, the right tools, supportive relationships, & a little courage you can get through almost anything & live a fulfilled life!

I specialize in Couples Counseling and Individual Counseling in service of relationship issues. The goal of counseling is to help you maintain the relationship you are in, to enhance relational awareness by building trust and emotional safety in the bond. Or to provide a safe place to decide if it is time to have a healthy goodbye. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is the therapeutic protocol I utilize to repair the ruptured bond. EFT provides relational skills to deescalate the unprocessed emotional pain and fear that arises when your needs for comfort, care, and closeness are not met and instead left with feelings of abandoned .

Life is truly uncertain, with the rapidly changing environment of modern life feeling overwhelmed seems to be commonplace. Whether you are encountering anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues and/or other possibly debilitating physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual obstacles they can be worked with during this time of uncertainty. Additionally, with over 15 years of experience in various healthcare settings I work with burnout, compassion fatigue, moral distress and other stressors.

Navigating mental health can be a daunting journey for many individuals. A significant hurdle encountered when seeking support is the stigma associated with mental health. Personally, I understand the feelings of fear that can hold you back from seeking help. The hopelessness, one can experience is relatable, yet I also recognize the transformative power that seeking therapy can bring. While delving into the complexities of the past may be painful, I provide a safe space where healing can commence. Let's collectively break the stigma surrounding mental health by igniting a spark of hope today. Let's spread hope like fire!

I'm glad you're here! My work is firmly rooted in existential humanism, meaning the search for meaning and self-realization is central to our work together. I believe you are the expert on you and your experience and it is my great honor to walk with you on your path. The relationship we will build collaboratively in session will aid you on your healing journey. I am skilled at creating a non-judgmental environment and accepting you where you are, no matter where that is, as we work to shine a light on what once seemed too dark to face.

I understand that the first step in seeking help can be overwhelming or even scary. I have a great respect for those who seek to improve their quality of life. My life's work is dedicated to help facilitate that process and help collaborate to create clarity. I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I work and have experience with a wide variety of situations and life issues; depression, anxiety, transitions, burnout, relationship dynamics, adoption, and more. Specialties of mine include premarital counseling, young adult/college age concerns & transitions, EMDR, grief & polyam couples.

I have been trained in a unique approach called Process Work, developed by Dr. Arnold Mindell. Process work is a dynamic and transformative approach which uses Jungian psychology, Taoism and physics. It offers new ways of working with problematic or painful experiences. Relationship challenges, physical symptoms, career conflicts and social tensions are approached with curiosity, respect and creativity. In using process work, I believe that the solution to a problem is contained within the disturbance itself; and I provide practical ways through which individuals, couples and groups can connect with a greater awareness.

Everyone can use a little help at times. Children and adults often experience difficult emotions, such as anxiety, depression and anger that are hard to handle and interfere with relationships and quality of life. I will help you alleviate these unwanted symptoms, improve functioning and improve your relationships. I work with adults and couples who are having struggles in their personal lives. I also specialize in working with those who have experienced sexual trauma.

I have been a psychotherapist in Santa Barbara, CA since 1974. My style is varied, incorporating Gestalt therapy, active listening, inner child work, assertiveness training, and guided imagery. Licensed since 1980 as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with couples, regarding issues of healthy sexuality, intimacy, and communication. Individual women and men,working on their sexual self esteem, are some of my favorite clients. For over fifteen years, I have also been leading groups for Adults Molested as Children, as well as their partners. Focus on breath and body is integral to my way of working in session.

I believe that therapy can be a great environment to help you grow as an individual, to mend broken relationships, and to let go of the past that may be holding you back. I believe in creating a strong support system in order to help with the healing process and move forward with your life. In working with children, families and individuals I utilize an eclectic approach with an emphasis in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as I believe thinking, questioning and doing leads to changes needed for growth and recovery.

Would you like more joy in living, to feel calm, centered and connected to others? Allow me to support you in taking that first step. I specialize in overcoming complex trauma: phobias, PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and reactivity. I have expertise working with survivors of crimes and abuse. I can help you cope with stress, burdens, grief & loss and life transitions in individual, couples or family therapy. I am compassionate and believe that you have all the resources within to achieve a brighter future.