Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA

The experience of psychotherapy can be transformative for individuals and families of all ages and stages of life. I hope to provide a safe space for you to learn, heal, and grow while processing issues or challenges that are significant to you. I will support you in embracing compassion and acceptance for yourself in the midst of your life journey, so you can lead a joyful, productive, and meaningful life. In addition to working with adults, I am passionate about working with children, teens, young adults, and families. I believe a collaborative, systemic approach is essential for change.

You’re looking for an approachable therapist who can help you build a better life for yourself. Someone who you can feel deeply seen by, who will celebrate your wins, walk beside you in your pain, and can help you find relief. Whether you have been struggling with low self esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or finding your path in life, I can help. Maybe you are pregnant or a new mom and are struggling with that transition or a difficult birth experience. Life can be painful and sometimes things happen to us that make it hard to find our center, to let our guard down, or to know that we are good enough.

I invite anyone who is struggling or looking for betterment to join me in a healing journey to reconnect and get back to the best version of themselves. Regardless of the issues at hand, all are welcome to seek out and be supported in a safe space. My foundational therapeutic principles are based upon vulnerability, warmth, kindness, and authenticity, which focuses on support, validation, and empathy. From there I work collaboratively with clients to explore the issues at hand and create goals and new skill sets to work towards successful healing and fulfillment.

The gift of therapy is priceless and highly transformative. I am walking proof of the impact and have lived through tremendous challenges related to grief & loss, high conflict relationships, health related battles, career challenges and changes, intergenerational trauma, raising young adults and lived experiences in different parts of the country. My therapeutic journey was led by a skilled therapist and through that learning an inherent calling to help others arose. Today, I work with clients in California and am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR,) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR,) and Reiki.

It is ...."The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are" C.G. Jung. Life is about relationship and they can sometimes be complicated to navigate. If you are experiencing personal conflict, trauma, or have experienced significant changes in your life; I am available to help you through challenges. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and currently finishing my Doctorate in Depth-Psychology at PGI. My emphasis is Psychoanalysis/Jungian Psychology, and I am a practitioner of EMDR. In addition I hold a board certification as a PTSD-Clinician and certified in Psychological First-Aid (PFA).

You are insightful and self aware, you know all of the “right” things to do and think, and yet you still struggle to truly feel good enough. Have you spent your life trying to achieve and move up the ladder and still feel anxious, panicky, or like something is missing? You might be a people pleaser and struggle to say no or to set healthy boundaries. Maybe you have a hard time showing all of yourself to loved ones and instead present only the parts of yourself that seem likable - leaving you feeling unknown and alone. You may give and give to others and yet neglect to care for yourself or to ask for your own needs to be met.

I work with adolescents, young adults, couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, maladaptive coping strategies, and relationship challenges. As humans, we can feel motivated to take those first steps toward healing and struggle to maintain progress. I believe that trauma and challenging life events can leave our inner resources and authenticity untouched, discouraging our growth. Together, we'll build a treatment plan that matches your unique vision for change.

Whether you're struggling with work, relationships or life changes our time together can alleviate confusion and suffering. You may be struggling with trauma triggers, family of origin patterns, or social and cultural pressures. Sometimes life is simply uncertain and overwhelming. You can create a life of intention and authenticity moving beyond unconscious reactions to insight and meaning. You will be in a safe place to honestly tend to your feelings and needs. I work holistically and respect you as a whole person who is uniquely coping with what has happened to you.

A strong therapeutic alliance can help a client cultivate the changes they need and want. Whether you are currently in hard times and/or needing to process your past, working together we can explore ways to help you live the life you want. My top priority is for clients to feel heard and validated. I meet clients where they are in their journey to healing.

Imagine a life where anxiety no longer dictates your choices, where you confidently recognize your self-worth, and where the weight of past traumas fades. Building a better life and feeling more at ease are possible. Your life is too precious to stay stuck in suffering. I can help you find a new way of feeling and being in the world. In therapy, we'll tackle the barriers that hold you back and I'll help you learn to treat yourself with the care you need to thrive. My specialty in EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to address trauma and anxiety directly, allowing for deep and lasting change.

My ideal client is someone who acknowledges their approach towards challenges is no longer working for them, and wants to change. This could be a couple, struggling with communication and wondering why the same fight happens over and over. This could also be an individual who can't seem to get out of their own way and struggling to understand themself. This may also be a parent having issues with overwhelm and frustration. People behave in ways that keep them disconnected from themselves and others, and I am here to assist you in clearing the debris of your past, so you can face the present and future fearlessly.

I work with individuals and families that are feeling stuck, frustrated, and tired of living in the same negative behavioral patterns. I believe that we are all capable of achieving mental wellness.

My practice serves those who want to change negative life patterns and relationships. Also, those who want to reduce anxiety, depression and addictive self-destructive behaviors. My clients and I work to find solutions to create a peaceful satisfying life experience.

At Canyon Creek Counseling, we have extensive experience in working with individuals that are struggling with depression, anxiety, attachment trauma, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, physical and emotional abuse, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, body dysmorphia, self-esteem and body image issues, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

My approach to psychotherapy/psychoanalysis is to provide a safe, non-judge mental and trusting environment where you can freely express your feelings. I believe each of us is striving to develop our own unique sense of self. We can do this together by identifying beliefs and behaviors that do not serve you and cultivating ones that do. This becomes a partnership. I am committed to helping you out of the darkness and into the light again. My training offers a wide variety of ways to achieve this task. Together we will follow closely your needs, desires and emotions.

I am an Internal Family Systems Institute (IFS) trained therapist. My therapeutic approach is based on the core principles of the therapies that make up my eclectic background. The core principles are (1) the assertion that each person possesses a healthy inner core, a deeper connection to the Self, and (2) that sharing one's inner qualities with others allows one to discover the benefits of this connection to the Self. And (3) that while fulfillment and happiness are not guaranteed in life, meaning and a sense of purpose are available regardless of circumstances.

Hi, I’m Amanda! I provide person-centered, trauma-informed, LGBTQ-affirmative, and feminist therapy to clients of all genders and ages. I have a particular passion for working with youth who are experiencing difficulties related to trauma, mood issues, sexual orientation, gender identity, and life transitions. My experience includes work in school-based therapy as well as residential treatment for unhoused clients with co-occurring substance use and severe mental health disorders. In my current practice, my approach is informed by my background in organizing for anti-racism, disability rights and the LGBTQ community.

Madeleine Mauk works with adolescents, adults and couples. She specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and relationship issues. Her approach is client centered; tailored to her clients' individualized goals and values. Her priority is creating a safe and supportive environment. Her methods integrate a wide range of therapies: mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Madeleine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

Your relationship is really important, but, because of communication breakdowns and tension you have started to question whether staying is right. You want to get clarity on what is going on so that you find a way back to feeling trust, safety, empathy, and passion. You have the sense that you could work through it together if only there was the chance of really being heard and understood by your partner. Through therapy you gain clarity and insight on your own (and your partners) needs, boundaries, and values. Therapy is effective for couples, families, business partners, and teams.