Female Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA
See all therapists in Santa Cruz
Alisia Murphy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
You are a
woman
struggling to care for yourself. You may not know how to do this because you weren’t shown how. You’re so good at taking care of others that there’s nothing left for you. Or, perhaps you have learned to put yourself to the side because that’s what feels safest. At the end of the day you may be wondering, “Is it okay to ask for what I need sometimes? Am I allowed? Am I worthy?”
Not accepting new clients
Tonia Heath
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hello! First, let me tell you a bit about myself: I have over 20 years experience in the field of mental health, both in community agencies and privately. I have focused on immigration and families most of my career and currently focus on
women
and trauma. I enjoy meeting you, wherever you are at in your life, with respect and caring. I am authentic and accepting, and provide a safe, confidential space for you to explore your past and what you want for your present and future. In therapy with me, you can turn emotional pain or stress into something lighter, and progress on a path toward greater happiness and health.
Krista L (Durbin) Ehrenfried
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified
Verified
Hi I'm Krista, and I'm so glad you're here. I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress/burnout, relationship issues, or those who come from dysfunctional family systems. I also have a focus in working premarital couples and
women
who are perinatal in the transition from maiden to mother and the issues that can come up around pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. I take a holistic approach to therapy, weaving together eastern philosophy with western psychology in my sessions, bringing awareness to the present moment and the body.
Bethany Kientzel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Updated May 2023. I may have a couple of openings for meeting online in the early morning, midday, or Saturday mornings. I work with individuals experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, social challenges, and issues that go along with these which include but are not limited to family, work, and relationship conflict, self-esteem/self-image, and personal boundaries/healthy communication challenges. I am passionate about social equity and justice, empowering
women
and other targeted populations, parenting, and child development.
Sarah Lou Warren
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I am a certified perinatal mental health specialist and find great joy in supporting
women
on the path of motherhood.
I specialize in guiding
women
to step into their power to create lives of authenticity, joy, and purpose. When we have the right support to integrate experiences of trauma and embody a sense of safety and worthiness, we are better equipped to utilize discernment in our relationships and author the next chapter in our lives in alignment with our core values and desires. I would love to connect to see if I might be that support for you!
Dr. Lindsay Steigner
Psychologist, PsyD, PMH-C
Verified
Verified
I support
women
struggling with anxiety, depression, and the myriad challenges associated with motherhood. The experience is not always what people anticipate - instead of joy there is worry, insecurity, and overwhelm. By providing perinatal and parenting-specific information, research-based techniques for symptom relief, flexible session options, and a compassionate, I help to normalize these common experiences and improve the family's sense of wellness. Our work together provides relief from suffering, harmony in relationships, and joyful attunement with children.
Diana Karpavage LPCC
Counselor, MA, LPCC, EMDR Cr
Verified
Verified
I'm an experienced therapist of over 25 years having spent thousands of counseling hours with individuals, couples and groups.
Women
's issues such as sexual abuse, miscarriage, abortion, traumatic events, marital/relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief and PTSD - are my specialty. I have counseled hundreds of couples to improve communication, intimacy/connection issues, trust; and to heal from infidelity, addictions and wounds that threaten the relationship. Issues of teens and young adults are important to address early in life: school, career, sexuality, relationships, traumas. Better to get help sooner than later!
Laura Kurek
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have seen couples rediscover intimacy and connection,
women
heal from past hurts, adults break free from stress and anxiety, and families grow closer.
Are you tired of facing the same struggle, over and over again? The same marriage problems...the same anxious feeling when you wake up and go to sleep...the same stress that never leaves you in peace...the same sense of hopelessness and loneliness. You've tried to feel better - to improve things - but nothing ever changes and you're right back where you started. I can help. I specialize in helping people to leave behind the struggles, patterns and habits that keep their lives stuck on repeat, opening the door to a life of connection, wholeness and peace.
Amber Martin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I specialize in couples therapy and supporting
women
. In my work with
women
I help create space where you can freely give yourself permission to be where you are and offer love and kindness to yourself. I will support you to step into a place of deeper authenticity and strength. Old patterns of thinking or ways of viewing the world may no longer be serving you but you can choose to hold space for what serves and say no thank you to what does not. In my couples work I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. I also offer Brainspotting for both individuals and couples.
Sharon Vaughn
MPH, RN, Coach
Verified
Verified
I love helping people realize how good they really are rather than staying stuck in their low self-esteem. To be blunt, I’m a smart, deeply experienced, super kind, caregiving Coach. What I really love to do is help
women
and men solve their anxieties and recover their joy. My goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. If you're looking for extra support and help through a challenging situation or you are just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Sage Swiatek
Pre-Licensed Professional, ACSW
Verified
Verified
Healing isn't something we do best in isolation. As a therapist, I work with clients to build greater connection and community to support them on their path. My clients are
women
and LGBTQIA+ folks seeking a therapy space where they can show up and be seen as their authentic selves. Many have a history of trauma, or have experienced interpersonal violence such as domestic abuse or sexual assault. Others are working to manage chronic stress and anxiety at work or at home. Whatever concerns are bringing you to my (online) office today, I'll work with you from a place of respect, curiosity, and collaboration.
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Maribel Madrigal
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Supporting,
women
and young adults to develop and restore reconnection with self. Life stages can take us through uncertainty, panic, fear of the unknown, questioning safety, disconnection of self, and feeling out control. Together, we will process how to connect with vulnerable, unseen parts of self to discover feelings of self worth, value, cultural safety, acceptance, freedom, and healing. My specialties are; relational challenges, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, boundaries, and life transitions, with 10 years of experience.
Not accepting new clients
Micah Hammond
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a queer cisgender
woman
that continuously educates myself and pursues training in order to provide gender affirming therapy to the trans, nonbinary and queer communities.
Welcome! As a wilderness therapist, I integrate body-centered and strength-based psychotherapy with wilderness interventions to offer a holistic and creative approach to working with you. I focus on supporting clients addressing eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression and gender/sexual identity exploration. I am passionate about supporting gender diverse, non-binary and transgender clients from a gender-affirmative approach. I work with you to understand patterns and help you create a new relationship with yourself. I am calm and grounded, creating a safe and non-judgmental space for exploring thoughts, feelings & behaviors
Diana Elwyn
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have spent the past 25 years of my career learning about and treating men,
women
and adolescents with disordered eating. Research shows that early and aggressive treatment of eating disorders provides the best chance for a full recovery. I am therefore very passionate about early intervention. I have done extensive training in evidence based therapies, such as Family Based "Maudsley" Therapy , Therapeutic Meal Support Groups, Enhanced CBT, DBT, and Intuitive Eating/Health at Every Size. I am a member of CAMFT, APTED, and IAEDP and am committed to ongoing training, completing twice the required licensing CEU's annually.
Jayla Klein
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Compassion and curiosity are the starting place for our exploration. Life is inherently challenging and difficult, and we all suffer from hurts large and small, past and present. And most of us are plagued by a strong inner critic who thinks they are helping but often shames and limits us. In spite of our best efforts, cycles of expectation and disappointment can leave us feeling confused, isolated, frustrated, and trapped in our habitual patterns. As Ta-Nehisi Coates put it, "I am marked by old codes, which shielded me in one world and then chained me in the next."
Yvonne D Vermillion
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA, PsyD
Verified
Verified
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!
Malinda Thompson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
The most important person in the therapy session is you. The most mysterious person in the therapy session is you. And the most powerful insight will eventually come from you. You may feel stuck, angry, lonely, confused, hopeless or numb. Maybe you feel too much? Perhaps you're losing hours on tik tok or porn sites? you dissociate, sleep too much; can't sleep. It's okay to reach out. Everyone wants connection, everyone needs connection. Therapy can help you find ways to connect.
Waitlist for new clients
Dr. Elaine Kates
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PsyD, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I try to individually tailor treatment to each patient by providing a balance of symptom relief to alleviate current discomfort and analysis of primary causal factors for long-term resolution.
Lisa Black
Psychologist, PsyD, BCN, BCB
Verified
Verified
Dr. Black specializes in trauma, TBI/concussion, insomnia/sleep issues, anxiety, depression, and coping with chronic illness. The therapies Dr. Black specializes in are biofeedback, ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), existential therapy, motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
Ann Marie Speno
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
Are you feeling consumed by self-consciousness, body hatred, and thoughts of food and weight? Do you find yourself trapped in a cycle of undereating and/or overeating, trying to live by rigid dietary rules? I want you to know that you are not alone.
I specialize in treating eating and body image issues. I can help you to explore the emotions that underly your relationship to food and your body, enhance your awareness of the many ways our culture creates eating problems, and help you to locate healthier ways to cope with the stress of life.
See more therapy options for
Female Therapists
Does it matter what gender my therapist is?
In general, this is not an important factor, as there is no relationship between a therapist’s gender and their efficacy. Some clients, however, prefer to see therapists of a particular gender, whether due to their own past experiences with men and women, or ingrained beliefs about how people of different genders think and behave. Exploring the roots of such preferences and considering what one wants to address in therapy can help someone determine whether their therapist’s gender truly matters to them.
Should I see a female therapist?
Many people—not just women—prefer to see a female therapist, either because they believe that a woman will be able to relate to their specific challenges (for example, sexism in the workplace) or because they imagine feeling more comfortable disclosing sensitive information to a woman. Such beliefs may not turn out to be accurate, however, and adhering too rigidly to a gender preference can at times hinder a client from finding the best therapeutic match.
Do therapists get specific training to help with women’s concerns?
Therapists are trained to provide care to clients of any gender. However, some therapists—both men and women—may pursue additional training in feminist therapy, gender-specific issues, or women’s mental health. Female clients may wish to ask prospective therapists whether they have received specific training in the client’s primary area(s) of concern, or whether they have worked extensively with women on issues similar to their own.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience in treating women?
It’s OK—even encouraged!—to ask a therapist directly whether and how often they have treated women in the past, or whether they have treated women dealing with the client’s most prominent concern(s). Competent therapists will be happy to share their educational background, preferred treatment modalities, and prior client experience to help an individual find the therapist best suited to their needs.