Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

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.

Feeling overwhelmed, scared, alone, isolated? Unable to express or tolerate your emotions? Therapy can help you take back control of your life, improve your relationships, and manage your moods. It doesn't matter if you're dealing with a new life challenge or a recurrent issue, I believe that therapy can help relieve your symptoms and live a stable and balanced life. I work with adults and adolescents struggling w/ a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, and substance use disorders. I offer a supportive, safe and non-judgmental place to explore, understand and resolve issues.

No-nonsense therapy. Need someone to talk to? I'll give you every ounce of my undivided attention and help you conquer your challenges. I'll provide a haven for you to freely express yourself, process your problems and part with your pain. If I have the opportunity to work with you, I won't see you as a diagnosis, I'll see you as a human being, just like me, on a journey through life. My approach is holistic and humanistic and my presence is warm, engaging and compassionate. My method is collaborative, practical, results-focused and non-judgmental. I'm here to help you realize your goals and help you build the life you want.

Do you want to create practical solutions for solving problems in you or your family's life? Ambivalent about which therapist to choose? I help struggling teens, children, frustrated parents, and individuals, feel comfortable and at ease using innovative methods and a straightforward style of therapy. My interventions are drawn from evidenced based theories like Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Interested in alternatives to talk therapy? I also offer "walk and talk sessions" outside of the office, play/art therapy, and distance counseling via Zoom or phone.

I integrate all my training in helping clients heal and transform their lives in the direction which honors living one's full potential/purpose. I work with individuals, couples and groups. The areas I have worked with include: mild - moderate anxiety, mild - moderate depression, stress reduction, communication skills, codependency, low self- esteem, relational issues, grief, social skill building, marital/divorce/relationship issues, women's issues, racial/ethnic/cultural concerns, meaning of life, life transitions, life purpose, identity questions, spiritual issues, and eco-related issues.

Each of us has a deep, loving intelligence that seeks expression in the world. We also have survival strategies formed early in life that often limit and inhibit our later lives and relationships. In my work with individuals, couples, and families, we unmask these strategies, and access the loving wisdom that is the deepest, essential nature of all human beings. This shift arises naturally and radically re-orients our world view and behavior toward others and toward ourselves. It unleashes our capacity for joy and creativity, and offers the only place from which to have a true relationship with the world and with others.

Have you ever tried to talk yourself out of your pain or experience because “someone else has it worse” or “I don’t deserve to be happy after everything I’ve done”? We often tell ourselves that our feelings, conflicts, or stories must look a certain way for them to deserve attention. The truth is - that we are all human beings who deserve support and understanding in our growth. There is nobody out there who is exactly like you and your healing can be just as unique. When you embrace your full authentic self, exactly as you are, you can access your full potential.

Are you looking for a more creative approach to therapy? Do you want to meet online or outdoors for individual, couples, or group counseling? I specialize in supporting others to have a more integrated, whole and loving experience of themselves and others. Are you interested in joining a therapeutic group to deepen your understanding of yourself, heal from past traumas and practice being in healthy relationship with others? I look forward to meeting you.

Over the course of our journey in life, we are likely to encounter struggles that may lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and perhaps a lack of confidence in one's self. You will find that therapy is a safe space conducive for the healing to begin and for the growth to continue. You can once again feel in control of your life. Drawing from different theories and modalities, together we create a treatment plan that is right for you. I also provide a dog friendly space if you would like him/her to accompany you to session.

Hi there! My name's Sylvie and my pronouns are she/her and they/them. As a therapist, I am tender with people, tough on systems, and committed to our collective liberation. I've been a mental health worker for over six years in schools, at a crisis center, and as a family therapist. I'm particularly experienced in and passionate about working with trauma in its many forms, and partnering with you to transform harm into what serves you, your beloved relationships, and the world you want to see. I offer individual counseling with youth and adults and relationship counseling with loved ones of all kinds.

My commitment as a therapist is to help you obtain a more satisfying and rewarding life. I work with women to assist them to: Create fulfilling, joyful relationships; Overcome anxiety and depresson; Acquire Self-Esteem and Confidence; Reduce limiting thoughts or beliefs; Move beyond loss and grief; Recover from divorce; Successfully move through life transitions. My goal is to empower and support you in identifying and moving beyond the personal obstacles that keep you from creating the relationships and life that you desire.

As a human, you are guaranteed pain and stress in your lifetime. Yet, perhaps one of the most creative invitations of all on offer is what you do with this suffering. You are not your suffering. By using the foundations of mindful awareness, embodiment, and connection, suffering can be transformed into strength, a deeper knowing of oneself, and a greater intimacy with life. Your journey is unique and beautiful with all of its etches, glories, and downfalls. It is not one you must walk on your own. I am here to witness, support, and join your journey.

I work with individuals and couples to untangle from patterns of drama, criticism, and codependency. I teach clients how to turn arguments into proactive conversations with win-win solutions. Our work together can include healing past hurts and trauma, feeling more sexually connected, and creating positive life changes. I am most interested in supporting my clients in finding relief from suffering and being truly happy.

I bring a lifetime of spiritual practice, as well as the experience and privilege of having lived as a working artist in Europe for a number of years. I look forward to accompanying you on your healing journey, offering hope and validation, warm support, reassuring guidance. Whatever brings you to therapy - your relationships, stress, trauma, pain, fears, hurts - I will believe in you until you can believe in yourself - your wisdom, your capacity for healing, your inner strengths. You are entitled to experience your own delightful spirit, moments of wonder and aliveness, curiosity and spontaneity, finding joy and peace in your life.

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.

Hi there. Life is full of challenges that can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and isolated. Sometimes it feels like no one understands. Perhaps you were not sure where to turn, but here you are, and I am so glad you are here. You have taken a brave first step to seek help. I would be honored to join you on your journey to well-being. I believe you are the expert in your life, and together we will reveal the answers already within you. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space to help you clear the fog, revealing clarity, healing, and purpose. EMDR is available to those with trauma and overwhelming life experiences.

People seek therapy for all kinds of reasons, but common to all of them is the fact that their life is not working as well as they want. This can be for a multitude of reasons; anxieties, depression, relationship issues, lack of fulfillment, purpose or meaning. Psychological symptoms are signals that alert us to examine the obstacles that hinder us from moving through life more freely with a sense of aliveness and agency.