Depression Therapists in San Luis Obispo, CA
See all therapists in San Luis Obispo
Dara Sheik
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Dara's psychotherapy practice is dedicated to helping young adults (aged 18-38) work through challenges related to this phase of life. Young adulthood is a time of great opportunities related to building satisfying relationships, careers and establishing one's own path. Along the way many get stuck in indecision, doubts and fears. For others, stress and unresolved issues can lead to mental health challenges including
depression
, anxiety and addictions. Expectations of parents and culture can contribute to the pressures and sense of isolation. Working collaboratively with his patients, Dara brings empathy and compassion to work.
Not accepting new clients

Kari Whitson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PPS, NCC
Verified
Verified
I work with individuals struggling with
depression
, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, substance abuse, loss, trauma, divorce, peer-relationship issues, and other behavioral concerns.
Being an adolescent/young adult can feel amazing, while also feeling confusing with all of the changes experienced during this time. I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults and their families, through individual, family and group counseling. I primarily utilize therapeutic approaches of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as part of individual and group counseling. Group counseling can enable individuals to form bonds with peers in a structured environment; understand that others can relate to their concerns; and share personal feelings that they have difficulty communicating.

Emily Maddox
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC, CRC, M-RAS
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Her areas of expertise are anxiety,
depression
, women's trauma and addiction related issues.
Challenging experiences often lead us to a feeling of being stuck, confused and frustrated. We can feel lost and unfulfilled trying to find purpose, meaning and happiness. Emily provides, a place to explore these questions and sort through the confusion and conflict, clearing the path to more fulfilling, satisfying experiences. Emily's approach is supportive, down to earth, and always interested in harnessing your strengths and resiliency.
Not accepting new clients

Emma Carr
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Anxious?
Depressed
? Overwhelmed and finding it difficult to achieve daily tasks that used to be so easy? Maybe past traumas have been interrupting your sleep, relationships, career, and you don't know how to manage these traumas? Maybe you want understanding and to break generational toxic behaviors that have worked against you? Maybe you witnessed or experienced an extreme event that is affecting you, but have no idea where to start? I get it, life is not easy, and maybe you are at a point you just need to talk to someone who is non-biased and non judgmental. I am happy to be that person to talk too!

Julie Simpson Jennings
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I provide personalized therapy to adolescents, adults, and couples seeking assistance with anxiety,
depression
, and trauma. I also serve clients ready to focus on healthy communication and relationships. As an adoptee, I'm especially equipped to share adoption-related support. Caring and empathetic, I prioritize your trust and safety. After 20+ years raising a family and working in public relations, I was driven to pursue a role in marriage and family therapy to serve others. Beyond earning a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, I provided therapeutic services to clients in a Southern California community center.

Christine T Tran
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
First, I want to acknowledge how brave you are for being here and seeking help. Whether you are a parent looking to support your child, a young adult anxious about their future, or someone whose navigating the next chapter of your life, I offer empathetic support and tools to manage responses to life's many difficulties. My hope is to create a space for you to feel truly safe and supported while having your experiences in life honored and validated. I work with children, teens, and young adults to address challenges with anxiety,
depression
, trauma, attachment, school stressors, behavioral issues, and family conflict.

Marian J Richetta
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
You many be going through a particularly stressful time or feeling very
depressed
or detached.
Sadness, grief and worry are normal human experiences. However, when they endure for long periods of time or when you are overwhelmed by the effects of stress or trauma, if you have difficulty sleeping or concentrating or you feel hopeless or helpless, then it may be time to visit a skilled therapist.

Cassie Ueberrhein Psychotherapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
My focus is young adults 18+, college students and LGBTQ+ folx. I have extensive experience working with college students. I aim to support and guide those who may be struggling with adjusting to college, coping with
depression
and/or anxiety, forming their identity, exploring their sexuality, working on relational patterns, etc. Decreasing stigma of mental illness as well as suicide prevention and LGBTQ+ rights are important causes to me as an individual, LGBTQ+ ally and professional. I am also a sex-positive therapist, who is not here to judge you. :)

Melissa Campe
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
New beginnings, anxiety,
depression
, loss – whatever it may be, I want to support you in not only finding meaning in these experiences, but to one day thrive from them.
I am offering online sessions to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact me for more information.

Ann Edwards
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Areas of specialization include ADHD,
Depression
, Anxiety, ODD, OCD, Trauma/Abuse.
Ann is a therapist for San Diego based mental healthcare provider Fusion Care Group. Fusion Care Group is changing the way people think about and receive mental health service and support. We offer a welcoming and accepting environment where you can feel calm and comfortable while in our care. Our relaxed, modern atmosphere and our amazing, highly trained Psychologists, Psychiatrists and therapists are here for you. Our hope is to provide a place to help our clients achieve their life goals, explore life-circumstances, move through difficult life transitions.

Amy Liston
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hello and thank you for visiting my profile. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 32 years of practice. I currently provide individual psychotherapy to college students and adults who are struggling with anxiety,
depression
, trauma, grief/bereavement, family issues, peer issues, relationship issues and/or life transitions. I offer a personalized therapy experience in a safe and inclusive space that honors your uniqueness as an individual. My approach is strength-based and client-centered with a humanistic/existential orientation.
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Maribel Alaniz Mendez
Pre-Licensed Professional, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
I help individuals and couples who are currently finding themselves through transitional phases that life brings. Some of those issues may include but are not limited to: family conflict, generational trauma, grief,
depression
, anxiety, communication issues and mood disturbances. I help clients gain insight into their thoughts & behaviors to help improve their outcomes. My approach is to provide a safe and open space to talk and explore thoughts and conversations to help create change in their life.

Jennifer Shepard
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC, MA
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Anxiety,
depression
and relationship issues are common problems many are experiencing today. My primary motive as a psychotherapist is to help individuals live more meaningful and productive lives in harmony with their families and community. Through effective talk therapy individuals become more courageous, truthful and engaged in the pursuit of individual, family and social harmony.

Benny R Martin
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Do you experience
depression
, anxiety, or have trouble with powerful emotions, that seem to interfere with your life goals? You will benefit from my approach to therapy. Perhaps, you feel overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do. Together, we could explore your problems and issues and find effective solutions. I believe change begins with acceptance. You are truly unique. Lets bring harmony to your thoughts, feelings and behaviors to help "You" be your very best "You"!
Please feel free to call or email me, so we can talk.
Waitlist for new clients

Cortney Wagner
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I work with adults and youth who have experienced trauma (physical/sexual/emotional abuse, attachment disruption, domestic violence, divorce), grief/loss,
depression
, anxiety and women's issues (infertility, body image , life transitions).
We all have challenges and experiences throughout our life span that can cause pain, frustration, feeling stuck and other difficult emotions. These experiences can result in us becoming disconnected with our true selves and unable to live life to the fullest. I am here to help you connect with your true self so that you can not only heal from difficult experiences but grow from them and create a sense of empowerment. I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment offering a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual's needs.

Marissa E Wilson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MS
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Everyone can benefit from additional support and guidance, and my goal is to partner with others to assist them in reaching their optimal health and potential. I have experience working with adults and couples managing anxiety,
depression
, trauma, grief, relationship issues and stress. I work to understand each individual's unique needs and identify strengths to assist in overcoming obstacles and challenges. I work to assist clients in alleviating the impact of various stressors and symptoms, by incorporating practical tools that can be used everyday.

Hallelujah Adams
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with children, adolescents, individuals and couples who are facing self-esteem/ self-worth concerns, relational issues, parenting struggles and those who seek to buffer the stressors of life. I also have experience with anxiety,
depression
, PTSD and relational distress and I have completed Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy - a well researched and highly effective approach to couples therapy. It is my passion to help you discover the strengths you already carry inside of you and to help you develop stronger, more deeply connected relationships.

Lacey Chamblin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
As a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with nearly a decade of clinical experience, my goal is to provide a safe place where every client can confidentially explore and identify their core beliefs, understand and improve unhealthy thought patterns, and create a skillset to effectively communicate and enhance interpersonal relationships. From
depression
, anxiety, family conflicts, substance abuse and trauma, I will support you on your journey towards self-discovery and healing.

Monica Serrao Kim
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Only Virtual Sessions Available. Monica runs a remote private practice based in San Luis Obispo, CA. With a diverse professional background, she specializes in treating various mental health concerns, such as anxiety,
depression
, grief, and trauma. Additionally, Monica has a particular interest in addressing women's mental health issues, including family planning, baby ambivalence, difficulty conceiving, infertility, involuntary childlessness, and role transitions. She provides a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore their thoughts and emotions concerning these complex topics.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
& Online

Amber Hullibarger & Associates
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Welcome! I’m an existential therapist who wants to help you free the true you. I have a passion for empowering women to feel confident, capable and connected. While exploring your past and present experiences we will learn how they interfere with who you want to be. I offer a safe space and tools to aid you through transformation. I specialize in freeing women from anxiety,
depression
, trauma, loss, body image, unhealthy eating habits and difficult life transitions. My approach creates a safe and open environment to help manage fears, negative self-talk, societal pressures and discover your own wishes, desires and needs.
See more therapy options for
Depression Therapists
What is the goal of therapy for depression?
Therapy for depression has several major goals. One is to relieve the mental pain of depression, which distorts feeling and thinking so that sufferers cannot see beyond their current state of mind or envision feeling better. Another is to give people the mental tools to recognize and correct the kinds of distorted thinking that turn a problem into a catastrophe and lead to despair. Therapy also teaches people how to process negative emotions in constructive ways, so they have more control over their own emotional reactivity. And it helps people regain the ability to see themselves positively, the motivation to do things, and the capacity for pleasure.
What happens in therapy for depression?
Perhaps most important, no matter the type of therapy, patients form an alliance with the therapist; that connection is therapeutic in itself, plus it becomes an instrument of change. Patients learn to identify and to challenge their own erroneous beliefs and thoughts that amplify the effects of negative experiences. They learn to identify situations in which they are especially vulnerable. And they learn new patterns of thinking and behaving. They may be given “homework” assignments in which they practice their developing skills. In addition, good therapists regularly monitor patients to assess whether and how much the condition is improving.
What therapy types help with depression?
Several types of short-term therapy have been found effective, each targeting one or more areas of dysfunction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, learn new behavioral strategies, and curb reactivity to distressing situations. Behavioral activation (BA) is a form of therapy often used in conjunction with CBT; it focuses on engagement in rewarding activity as a pathway to changing negative feelings and disturbed mood. Another widely used approach is interpersonal therapy (IPT), which targets the social difficulties that both give rise to and get exacerbated by depression. Therapists may combine approaches as needed.
Can therapy for depression be done online?
Studies have found that online therapy can be highly effective for treating depression, although it may be more challenging to build a good therapist-patient alliance on screen than in person—at least at first. However, online therapy can offer considerable advantages. Accessibility and convenience are tops among them. Some people actually find it easier to talk about problems online than in person. While online therapy typically limits visibility of facial expression and body gestures that give important nonverbal cues to a patient’s state of mind, it can give therapists a glimpse into a patient’s world and life, providing information that can be highly useful in guiding therapy.
How effective is therapy for depression?
Many studies show that therapy is highly effective provided that patients complete the prescribed course of therapy, commonly 16 to 20 sessions. Over the long term, it is more effective than medication and the effects are more enduring. As a result, psychotherapy has the power not just to relieve current suffering but to prevent future episodes of the disorder. Therapy reverses the dysfunction in neural circuitry that disposes individuals to a negative view of themselves, the world, and their future and they acquire coping techniques, problem-solving skills, and understanding of their own vulnerabilities that are useful over the course of a lifetime.