Couples Counseling Therapists in Santa Barbara, CA
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Kathryn LePage
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
If you are facing a difficult transition in your
relationship
, depression, addiction, trauma, or simply wanting to increase your life's potential, contact me with questions concerning psychotherapy. Addressing the presenting problem, we will identify past memories, present behavior and emotions, and their impact on living a creative life. By engaging your imagination, we gain access to your hidden potential, hindered by negative belief patterns. Together we will transform your life's most difficult challenges and develop the courage to create opportunities to live more passionately.
Miriam Commisso
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, 88035
Verified
Verified
My areas of expertise are in dual diagnosis (mental health/substance use), addiction and recovery,
relationship
issues,
couples
struggling with
relationship
/communication/intimacy issues and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and BiPolar.
Have you ever felt too overwhelmed to deal with your problems? Are you stuck in the past or thinking too much about the “what if’s” of the future? Do you want to improve your relationships?
Maria Stave
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
If you are facing difficulty in life (as we all have) I believe in getting the support and care you deserve. I have extensive knowledge in anxiety/depression,
relationship
issues, addiction/recovery,
couples
work and Alzheimer's disease / dementia. I also love working with children and teens (and even have two of my own)! I look at the issues we face in a whole-person approach and believe in exploring all aspects of a client's health including mindfulness, nutrition, and exercise.
Jack May
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CAMF
Verified
16 Endorsed
Verified
16 Endorsed
**100% ONLINE TELE-HEALTH** My primary focus includes treatment for men experiencing Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Addiction, Anger Management and
Relationship
issues. I teach men, fathers and
couples
how to cope with difficult times. My treatment plan(s) are based on eclectic therapeutic modalities that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Solution Focused Therapy and Emotional Focused Therapy. I am a Supervisor for PreLicensed therapists gaining their hours toward licensure and also serve as a board member in our local chapter of California Assoc. Marriage & Family Therapists.
Natasha Hause
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work with individuals and
couples
.
Hello, I am an authentic practitioner that joins with my clients to help them realize their full potential. My approach is integrated- drawing from Cognitive Behavioral techniques and Schema Therapy, with the goal of helping my clients live in the present and achieve psychological and behavioral change. In addition to these approaches, I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).
Eric Nelson
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Whether you are seeking support for yourself, a family member, or your
relationship
, I highly recommend shopping around to make sure you find the right fit.
Life can be incredibly painful, and at times we can find ourselves confused, lost, anxious, and seemingly alone. We cannot have a pain-free life, but there are ways of managing the issues in our lives that help us be more present, connected to our values, and fulfilled in that which we do. Whether it is anxiety, depression,
relationship
issues, or trauma, there are ways to respond to these so that we can move back toward the lives that we want to lead.
Katrina Johnson
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when we are trying to navigate stress, transition, trauma, loss, or conflict. Through compassionate inquiry into our hearts, minds, and souls we can better understand the path forward to the life we want and the person we want to be. I am a warm, collaborative, and person-centered therapist who believes in the innate capacity of humans to heal, grow, and thrive. I will join you and help guide you to connect to your authentic self, inner wisdom, strengths, and compassion. I work with adults, teens, children,
couples
and families to find balance and a greater sense of well-being.
Danielle Amara Norlinger, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, #96158
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
Many people believe that your
relationship
with your therapist (if you vibe with them as a person) can be more important than their training, specialties, or orientation.
I help people who are struggling in relationships. My personal experience with trauma led me to this work, and I strive to be a collaborative guide in helping people reclaim the truth of themselves and live in greater alignment with that truth. I specialize in working with clients who are recovering from familial or romantic relationships with people with narcissistic or borderline personalities. I am also interested in attachment styles, intergenerational trauma, and your everyday existential crises.
Jose Rojo
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
My approach to therapy is relational. I believe the problems that lead people to therapy are often interpersonal in nature and I see the therapeutic
relationship
as the primary agent of change. I endeavor to create with my clients a
relationship
that does not repeat the problematic relational patterns that led them to therapy.
Michael H Kreitsek
MA
1 Endorsed
1 Endorsed
Clients often come to me during a deep life transition of some kind. They are looking for clarity and deeper meaning. They are motivated, and sometimes afraid to change. Issues of grief and death,
relationship
, career change, loss or aging often show up; a sense of "Who am I? What next? Where am I going? Where have I been?" Many times clients are looking for deeper spiritual awareness, either wanting to renew abandoned practices, or looking for something beyond their past experience. In each case they are looking to connect more directly with life and find methods to do so. They are looking for greater balance, peace and stability.
Not accepting new clients
Dr. Amber Dawn Stickerod
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Gaining greater understanding of motivations/intentions and awareness of one's
relationship
with self and others can provide a more fulfilling life experience.
Therapy can be the catalyst that allows you to evolve past overwhelming feelings of discouragement, distraction, frustration, boredom, heartbreak, burnout, and uncertainty. Exploring possible resistances and defenses like limiting beliefs/self-sabotaging relationships, perfectionism/fear of failure, procrastination/avoidance, imposter syndrome/inferiority complex, unresolved anger/grief, and ancestral trauma are often themes people attend to in session. Identifying strengths, cultivating confidence/authentic expression and unlocking dormant gifts/talents/"the unlived life" are also addressed.
Waitlist for new clients
Taryn Lawrence
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified
Verified
I believe the therapeutic
relationship
is a collaborative process.
Feeling lost because your vitality has somehow disappeared?
Maybe your low energy is affecting your work or tension is making important relationships less satisfying. It can be confusing when the past starts to collide with the present.
What I know is that there is hope. What has wounded you in the past can be healed, so you can live life with joy.
I work with adults who have been wounded in important relationships. I treat individuals who want to understand themselves better and feel more connected with the people around them. Together, in therapy, we create a space where you discover the vitality to become bigger than what wounded you.
Find Your Center, A Therapy Collective
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified
Verified
We are here to help you heal and grow. We are genuine, real people who believe that actual, loving feedback is more useful than simply listening and repeating. That is why we
partner
concrete take-home skills with open, active listening. Our style incorporates humor and play. We tailor every single session to your unique needs. We want to be by your side, to listen, support, and challenge you every step of the way. You do not have do this alone. Together, we will discover untapped purpose, passion, clarity, and courage. Through the chaos of life, we will find your true center.
Melissa Beach
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I meet my clients where they are at, and begin by building on the
relationship
where we can focus on the parts that seem to be holding one back from living their most authentic life. Every one has their own unique journey, and I believe that in a strong therapeutic
relationship
, healing, growth, and transformation is possible. Therapy allows for one to gain insight and awareness around one's patterns of behavior. Let us meet together to see if we are a good fit.
Faith Freed
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My work with
couples
includes some individual work with each
partner
.
Everyone encounters some psychological stress. It doesn't have to be dramatic or pathological to have a major impact on the quality of your life. Sometimes, a difficult
relationship
can throw you off center. The far reaching effects of interpersonal conflict cannot be underestimated. To break unhealthy patterns, it's often necessary to seek help. At other times, you may face an existential crisis, searching for meaning and inner truth. Many high functioning clients suffer from Imposter Syndrome and want to understand why having it all doesn't add up to happiness. A stint of therapy can shed healing light on the mystery of life.
Shannon D Murray
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA , LMFT
Verified
Verified
Accepting new clients. I treat clients who struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, depression,
relationship
conflicts, and life transitions. I find that so many of my clients feel overwhelmed by their anxiety and panic attacks and don't know what to do to help themselves truly feel better. The good news is there are so many strategies to overcome anxiety that you can learn! My clients have made enormous strides in conquering anxiety and other emotions that hold them back.
Susan Farber, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your life? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, family and
relationship
issues? With over 20 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.
Nancy R Belknap
Drug & Alcohol Counselor, CAS-CAD, CCAPP, ACRPS
Verified
Verified
Nancy's counseling work focuses on adults, seniors, families and
couples
who struggle with addictive disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief or depression. Nancy's 24 years of practice and experience provide you the opportunity to develop and bring into focus your very best self. Her proficiency and specialties are in providing tools and skills to support recovery from addictions, grief & loss, trauma, and the relational challenges that so often accompany these life challenges, with the intent and hope to facilitate the recognition of your own strengths and your ability to participate, fully, in your own life and those of your loved ones.
Debbie McHann
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
I most often work with clients 18-30 struggling with managing mood disorders such as anxiety/depression, coping with academic and work stress, trying to develop and deepen relationships, and often with those needing treatment for eating disorder behaviors.
I also work with
couples
, married or unmarried, desiring to resolve conflict and deepen emotional intimacy.
Elizabeth Wolfson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD
Verified
Verified
In years of private practice I have worked with individuals,
couples
, and families seeking help for a range of issues including depression, anxiety, interpersonal, career, and life transitions.
When choosing a therapist, you want to look for someone with experience, training, and presence attuned to your particular circumstance. As a seasoned psychotherapist, scholar, and consultant with substantial training, I understand there is no set formula for finding solutions distinct to you and your situation. My holistic approach includes attention to your emotional, spiritual, and psychological health from a mind, body, spirit, perspective with attention to your unique goals. There is no substitute for working with someone with experience and whom you can trust when it comes to enhancing the quality of your life experience.
See more therapy options for Santa Barbara
Couples Counseling Therapists
Does couples counseling work?
Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.
When should a couple seek counseling?
Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.
How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?
The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.
How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?
The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.