Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA
Melanie Stern
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
My passion and skill set is in creating environments for you to gain greater insight into your strengths, gifts, and those places that contribute to blocking the ability to find joy and healing in your life. Whatever the life challenge that brings you to therapy, you'll find that I create a supportive and accepting space. I am curious, compassionate, appreciate laughter, tears and understand that we all suffer from time to time and believe that these moments are opportunities for deeper insight and growth.
Holistic Psychotherapy with Rasa
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified
Would you like to feel empowered and at ease with life and yourself? Whether you're going through life transition, having relationship problems, dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma or looking for a deeper purpose in life, I would be honored to support you in your process of growth and healing. When the deepest parts of you get to be seen, held and accepted, it transforms into your light and strength. In this process you'll learn how to listen and trust your innate wisdom and guidance, you'll become resourceful, empowered and free to consciously create the life you want.
Brianne Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
I am a holistic therapist helping you to heal your mind, body and spirit. You deserve to feel whole and to experience deep meaning and purpose in your life. I provide a peaceful space and create an authentic relationship with you to support your personal journey in therapy. I meet with teens and adults struggling with a wide variety of issues including addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship conflicts and work/school stress. My personal and professional growth have taught me an intimate understanding of struggles specific to adult children of alcoholics/addicts, emotional sobriety and substance abuse recovery.
Janet Borello Wellersdick
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
I work with children, families and individuals. I specialize in pediatric mental health services, relationship stress/issues, trauma, parenting support, depression and anxiety and substance abuse issues. I use play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, art activities, mindfulness and other supports to help you manage stressors in life. More of the same will not elicit different results. I can help you identify your strengths, build upon them and use them to address your concerns. Acknowledge your strengths, they are the tools for life. Personal strength leads to balance in life. When we achieve balance, we are less likely to fall over.
Erin Agenjo Hohengarten
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
I believe we all need a little extra support from time to time. We get stuck. Overwhelmed. Fearful. And sometimes even when it feels like the walls are closing in, it can still be so hard to ask for help. It is my privilege to be there when people are ready to make that leap and ask for what they need.
Sarah McKnight
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Welcome! May I walk beside you as you continue to uncover, untangle, embody and enliven your life's purpose? I seek to be witness and ally to your own personal life's journey. C.G. Jung states, "Every advance; even the smallest, along the path of conscious realization adds that much to the world".
Lorenia Parada Ampudia
MA
It is not easy to look for help. Especially when we feel overwhelmed with pain, suffering, and confusion. We all deserve to enjoy life, healthy sexuality and nurturing relationships. You are not alone in this journey of finding the best way to be a human being and be free of unnecessary suffering. I believe you have the answers you are looking for and I can support you in accessing your own wisdom to re-design your path and life in the way you need and want now.
Donna Certo Ilstrup
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT, LPCC
Verified
Native American cultures believe a decision today will impact the next seven generations. I work to keep past traumas and unwanted patterns from impacting your life now and in the future. I specialize in trauma resolution (using EMDR), managing anxiety/stress, personalizing interventions to improve school experiences, and improving family dynamics. When working with families, I give them a framework and age appropriate tools for use in the home, classroom, and/or social settings. (Currently, I am working with children ages 9 and older)
Stephen Otto
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Therapy is about change, and I am dedicated to helping you make the change you seek. I provide a compassionate, confidential haven for addressing areas of difficulty and disturbance, for healing past hurt and loss, for mending and deepening relationships, and for helping you live a rich, meaningful life.
Bianca Filion
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, BC-DMT, LPCC
Verified
Hello! I’m so glad you found me. My approach to therapy is to engage the whole person in order to integrate the mind and body. Movement in therapy can range from focusing on breath to self-lead movement expression, and can be used with any age and ability. Artistic expression is used to deepen the therapeutic work through the creative process. I view my clients holistically and utilize the knowledge I gain regarding their life history and their social atmosphere to guide them in therapy. I work collaboratively with my clients to make meaningful change, respecting my clients’ individuality and autonomy.
Kate Whittle-Utter
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Therapy can help you find balance, connection, and fulfillment. In order to do so, I believe it's important that we acknowledge the shadow elements of life-the challenges that cause us pain, confusion, and block us from finding a sense of harmony and well-being. I collaborate with you in navigating the shadows and the more buried aspects of your life in order to develop a deeper capacity for balance, personal growth, and healing. To find out more about who I am, how I work, and if I might be the right therapist for you, consider visiting sanluisobispotherapy.org
Teri L. Virostko
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
We all go through difficult times and it takes courage to reach out for support. You may be wondering how therapy can help you. Perhaps you want support with a challenging issue, to relieve anxiety, recover from trauma or to change patterns that no longer work for you. You may want to improve a relationship or get support with parenting or working through loss. You can make changes, break patterns, and heal. Therapy is a place to get support, to explore new strategies for coping better with life, and to view things from an expanded perspective. Our challenges present us with opportunities to heal as well as grow.
Chris Davidson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
My therapeutic style is personal, respectful and practical. I can help you create and notice positive changes in your life and relationships and adapt to changing conditions as necessary.
I'll work with you to achieve tangible results towards your goals in therapy. We'll focus on what works to notice positive change as it happens.
Although I treat people with a wide range of issues, some areas of particular focus in my practice are: helping individuals and relationships that are affected by Chronic Physical Illness and/or Pain, Depression and Anxiety.
Rebecca Zulim
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Feeling anxious or worried? Too busy for therapy during the work week? I'm available for Friday afternoon and Sunday appointments. I provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges, reduce stress levels, and lead richer, fuller lives. I am an interactive, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapist. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.
Ceila Aguilar
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
I am a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist that specialize in depression, managing self-injurious behaviors, anxiety, self-esteem, divorce, sexual abuse, interpersonal violence/domestic violence, educational issues and coping skills to manage stress. The theoretical approaches I use in my practice include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Trauma Focused Behavioral Therapy. I have over 7 years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families. In my clinical practice I place importance in empowering clients to find their own strength
Christel M. Reid
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified
Therapy is an investment in yourself and it can impact the trajectory of your life. We all experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief and overwhelm from time-to-time but you don't have to navigate those dark times alone. We don't heal in isolation; struggles become more bearable when they are companioned by someone who helps you clear a path toward the life you want to live. During sessions we will identify and challenge dysfunctional patterns, investigate the impact of family history, build resilience, and identify your strengths while expanding your repertoire of healthy coping skills.
Gloria Saldana
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Gloria believes therapy works best when client and therapist work together to achieve a common goal. Gloria’s warmth and humor helps to create a trusting relationship where clients can feel comfortable to explore themselves and achieve meaningful change. Her approach to therapy is collaborative, nonjudgmental and client centered.
Karen Luxon
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Life can be challenging and it may be difficult trying to manage it alone. Not everyone has someone safe to talk to without judgement or experiencing shame and/or guilt. Do you have a specific issue you want to tackle? Are you experiencing patterns you just want to break free from? Having someone to explore the origins of your struggles/challenges can be liberating. Do you need life skills, communication skills, strategies to manage your mind, mood management techniques to make life more manageable? Being human isn't easy and having someone to process with you w/unconditional regard and acceptance can be freeing and life changing.
Amber Thuston
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MS, APCC
Verified
As a part of your journey, my focus is to partner with you from a person-centered and holistic approach, integrating mind, body, and spirit. I strongly believe that you have all the answers hidden within yourself and with some guidance, skills, and support you will be able to achieve the goals you have set.
Alison Brooks
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
We learn how to regard ourselves from the earliest relationships we have. From the nurturing of our nature or lack thereof, a template of how to treat ourselves and relate to others is set. The good news... this template is not set in permanence and is subject to change with focused intent! I am dedicated to helping you achieve these changes. Therapy is an art form which involves attending to a Client's specific emotional pains. The art of my practice is in knowing when to provide silence or words, when to challenge or encourage, when to include techniques, when to just be.
See more therapy options for Santa Cruz
What type of mental health professional is right for me?
Some of the most common types of mental health providers in Santa Cruz are psychologists, licensed counselors, therapists, psychotherapists, and licensed clinical social workers, all of whom diagnose mental health conditions and provide individualized treatment.
Services offered, education and credentials vary by type of mental health professional. Each professional in Santa Cruz then may specialize in certain areas, such as depression, marriage counseling, or anxiety. Although many mental health providers are not licensed to prescribe medication, they may coordinate with a provider who can.
Both in-person and online therapy sessions are available from most psychologists.
Services offered, education and credentials vary by type of mental health professional. Each professional in Santa Cruz then may specialize in certain areas, such as depression, marriage counseling, or anxiety. Although many mental health providers are not licensed to prescribe medication, they may coordinate with a provider who can.
Both in-person and online therapy sessions are available from most psychologists.
How to find a specialist?
You can refine your search using the filters on this page. There are several categories you can filter by to find mental health professionals with the experience you are looking for. You may want to filter for CBT Psychologists in Santa Cruz, or Child Psychologists in Santa Cruz.
Many find it useful to use filters to view only psychologists that have experience working with certain issues, like Santa Cruz psychologists specializing in EMDR.
Many find it useful to use filters to view only psychologists that have experience working with certain issues, like Santa Cruz psychologists specializing in EMDR.
What method of therapy is right for me?
When it comes to treatment methods, there's no 'right way.’ Each method of therapy can be beneficial for a variety of issues. Psychologists in Santa Cruz specialize in therapeutic approaches such as CBT, EMDR, and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), among others. Finding a psychologist or therapist who is a good fit for you is the most important step to discovering what type of therapy, or combination of therapeutic approaches, will meet your individual needs. Learn what to expect from different types of therapy and how they work.
How to use my insurance?
Many therapists accept health insurance. Check to see if your insurance is covered. Feel free to discuss this when you contact the therapist.