Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Hi, and welcome! I’m glad you’re here. If you’re reading this, it probably means you are looking for a change. While I don’t know what that means for you yet, I would love to find out as we get to know each other over the course of therapy. It can be different for everyone- for you, maybe it means looking inward and finding out more about yourself. Maybe you are looking to learn some new skills and ways of dealing with your problems. Maybe you just want somebody to talk to or are having trouble in your relationship. Maybe, you are dealing with a specific issue such as anxiety, addiction, depression, grief, loss, or low self-esteem.

As I see it, the primary role of a counselor is to serve as a mirror to help reveal what the client hasn't yet been able to see-especially those patterns of relating to self, others, and the environment that might be causing suffering. At the same time, the counselor is there to reflect, affirm, and strengthen the client's unique gifts and talents.One of the biggest impediments to healing, growth, and creativity is shame. To help clients move through this debilitating emotion, I use a combination of mindfulness, body awareness, and other healing modalities.

I help adults who struggle with complex trauma (personal or intergenerational), anxiety, or depression, to heal emotional wounds, transform self-defeating patterns into positive actions, and attain a sense of control, connection, and harmony. We will go beyond quick fixes and explore parts of you that carry burdens from the past, get to know them, and learn to understand how they developed and why, so they can be healed.

Blending conventional and alternative approaches I empower children, adolescents, and adults to reach their therapeutic goals. It is my belief that all children, regardless of age or race, speak their own unique language based on their unique life experiences. This language expresses who they are and what they need in order to live a more functional and productive life. My mission is to interpret that language and offer innovative strategies that foster positive growth and maturity. It is not only a challenge to change, grow, and learn. As a member of the human race, I feel it is an obligation!

I trust your capacity for moving toward healing, change and growth, and my holistic approach welcomes all of you: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, sexual, and cultural. My experience and training in working with mindfulness and trauma can allow you to experience a new relationship with yourself and with others so you can feel more at ease. As a holistic psychotherapist, I use a mind-body approach to help you compassionately discover unconscious patterns that keep you from living your life as you would like. Somatic-based therapy can access and support places in you that talk therapy does not reach.

My life and career experiences have exposed me to diverse stories, challenges, and complex situations that inform my practice. My approach uses storytelling, is trauma informed, and uses an asset-based psychotherapy orientation. The therapy I provide is client centered, direct, solutions oriented, and grounded in a deep sense of care. Together, we’ll co-create a safe therapeutic experience to explore how internal narratives and patterns are shaped by systemic, historical, political, or familial stories. I am particularly interested in interpersonal and structural based trauma, and how it manifests in our bodies.

I have been working in the mental health field for over 16 years. I want to help you figure out what is getting in the way of you and the life you want to live. Painful experiences you go through can cause you to feel stuck, and this can become frustrating and at times paralyzing. Everyone experiences a range of challenges throughout their life. Addressing these challenges alone can make it difficult to move forward. I want to join you as you begin this process.

My current work focuses on Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups, Active and Retired First Responders and Military facing Crisis Situations, Relationship Issues, Trauma and Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Growth and Self Exploration, Severe Mental Illness, Dual Diagnosis, Addiction & Recovery. I utilize approaches including but not limited to CBT, Systems, Somatic and other models. While I will use pieces from the above mentioned models and theories each individual client will require a different mix of psychotherapy approaches. Individual treatment plans and various interventions will be used to assist each specific client.

"Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is." - There is great benefit to be found from tuning into your heart and mind. What are these voices saying to you? Do you sense a disconnect between your desires in life and the person you present to others? Are you a spiritual person but you don't find this impacts your daily life? It is my aim to create a safe and welcoming space where one feels known and accepted just as they are. When one feels accepted, one is able to share more and more of their journey, including the painful parts. Feeling deeply heard & understood is a starting point toward transformation.

You are uncomfortable - Something is bothering you. You need resolution about an issue, event, experience or relationship. I work in a collaborative/relational model with people who have had experiences that they have not fully integrated yet. I use talk therapy, imagery, metaphor, hypnosis, EMDR, Positive Psychology, and Sensorimotor. Often clients report being disinterested in a formerly distressing topic after treatment. I'm comfortable working many types of issues including trauma, PTSD, ACA, sexual abuse, panic attacks or phobias, anxiety or depression, losses or relationship breakups, people with mysterious physical ailments.

I believe that compassion and collaboration are key to a therapuetic relationship. Through the identification of each persons strengths and resources we are all capable of navigating life's challenges and it is my role to assist in the identification and effective utilization of these strengths and resources. If you are suffering from with ADHD, Depression, Conduct Disorder, Parenting issues, Criminal Behavior, adult and adolescent Bi-polar Disorder, addiction, or the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse please contact me by text, phone or email at 831-588-7063. I have helped many individuals, couples, and families and perhaps I can help you.

Congratulations for taking a step towards creating change. Finding a therapist can be challenging and it is important to find one who is right for you. I offer a free introductory session which we use to get to know each other. Clients often come into my office feeling hopeless or nervous, but usually leave feeling more hopeful and relaxed. I love to see people grow and thrive with the support of therapy. My style is warm, empathic, and collaborative. In our work together we draw on your strengths and wisdom and my goal is to empower you to create a more joyful and fulfilling life.

I have seven years of experience working with Teens and Adults. I have supported Teens and Adults through a diverse of emotional and psychological challenges, such as; substance youth, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, body image, friendships, and family difficulties. I provide a trauma informed approach with a mindfulness, strength-based, and CBT emphasis. Please feel free to reach out for a free fifteen minute consultation.

Since 1992, I have counseled families, adults and children. I am an EMDR Institute consultant and facilitator, and use EMDR therapy's adaptive information processing to help clients master the challenges encountered in their lives. I received my PhD in international psychology with trauma focus. My specialties include Trauma, Acculturation and Attachment Disorders in clients of all ages. My immigration experience from Germany has prompted the exploration of the crucial part played by our cultural roots in our decision making process and in our lifestyle choices. I speak English, Spanish and German.

I offer a safe space for children, adolescents and adults to be understood and held as we learn together what helps increase calm. With specialty training in childhood psychiatric disorders, I use a warm, attachment focused approach. I coordinate with doctors, schools and family members to ensure safety for clients.

Anxiety, depression, trauma, drug and alcohol abuse - we all have our challenges. I can partner with you to support you in exploring, addressing, and overcoming these challenges. I provide accountability and structure with a sense of humor and enthusiasm. I empower you to draw from your own inherent strength and support you in overcoming the barriers stopping you from living your most fulfilling dynamic life.