Marriage Counseling Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA
See all therapists in Santa Cruz
Jolene Odile Jensen
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
Hi. My name is Jolene Jensen. I am a Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession, serving a diverse range of clients.

Eben Rogers
Marriage & Family Therapist, BA, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed
marriage
and family therapist with a masters in counseling and a commitment to helping my clients reach their full potential. I provide engaged and compassionate therapy to families, adults, children, teens, and couples in a safe, nurturing environment. Whether you are dealing with a specific challenge, such as grief or a rough spot in your relationship, or you simply want to find more balance in your life, therapy can provide new tools and a fresh perspective.

Mary A Schindler
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Do you want to stop repeating unhealthy patterns and live a life that brings you an increased sense of joy, calm and health? We can work together to address past traumas, decrease your feelings of anxiety and/or sadness, change addictive habits and improve your relationships. My approach is collaborative, experiential, emotionally focused, person-centered and sometimes even fun. I have been a
marriage
and family therapist for over20 years and have success in providing compassionate and supportive therapy. The basis of my therapeutic approach is to create a safe environment based on trust and respect.
Waitlist for new clients

Debra Sloss
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I'm a Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapist with 26 years experience in the counseling and education fields.
Is your family life chaotic and stressful? Are you worried about your teenager's moods, or behaviors? Or maybe you're seeking support to overcome barriers and grow into the person you want to be? While these problems and challenges are part of everyday normal life, many of us could use some help navigating our way through them. My work is anchored in a strength-based philosophy. I will partner with you to create a personalized approach that accesses your strengths, honors your unique needs and works towards change in a focused, yet compassionate manner.
Waitlist for new clients

Caren Sage Smiley and Associates
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified
Verified
These are strange times. Finding the right therapist can be challenging. Finding some one you can feel comfortable with and who has the skills and experience you need. In my 15+ years in this field, I have worked with many common issues: life transitions, anxiety, depression, addiction, parenting,
marriage
and relationship difficulties and more. Years of study of a variety of therapeutic methods form my background and my thinking. In addition to my training, I bring creativity, honesty and humor to this hard and rewarding work.
Not accepting new clients

Lee Ann Sullivan-Eurs
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Throughout our lives, we encounter a variety of natural transitions, some of which challenge our ability to cope. Death, divorce, life threatening illness, career change,
marriage
, becoming a parent, spiritual or existential crisis...to name a few. In an attempt to adjust, many of us experience emotional distress. I would be honored to work with you to provide support. I enjoy working with people of all ages including young children and teens. Through talk therapy, expressive arts, sand tray, and engaged play, my goal is to make each client feel prioritized, heard, cared about, valued, and nurtured throughout their process.

Richard Linzer
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
career I have taught many classes, such as Adult Children of Alcoholics, Codependency,
Marriage
Enhancement and Parenting classes.
I have been providing counseling and psychotherapy to individual adults, couples, children, teen and families in the Santa Cruz area since 1970. I love helping people discover their inner strengths and figure out how to utilize those strengths to create a better life and relationships. I see my role as a combination of coach, mentor, cheerleader and midwife. I utilize a versatile, directive approach to therapy which is informed by several theories and modalities including Family Systems, CBT, Short-term behavioral therapy, Gestalt, Strength-based and Humanistic. Much of my practice deals with achieving personal goals, relationship issues and parent/lchild issues.

Jihan Amer Holistic Counseling & Coaching
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
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.

Shine a Light Counseling Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
We are a non-profit counseling agency with locations in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, & Monterey. We provide high quality, affordable psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Our fees are set on a sliding scale, based upon your income. Our services are provided by Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapists and Master's level Interns and Trainees who are under the supervision of a licensed therapist. We would love to answer any questions you may have, or schedule an appointment to meet with you. Simply call or send us an email today!

Zerreniah Tran
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Zerreniah Tran is a Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapist in the state of California and has been working in the mental health field for over 8 years. She has extensive experience in providing individual and group therapy for a diverse population and offers psychotherapy in English and Tagalog languages. Her work has involved counseling survivors of domestic violence, adolescents presented with transitional challenges, adults with relationship issues, seniors experiencing difficulties with aging, and foster youths in need of support with healthy coping and independent living.

Jose Mauricio Zarate Ortega
Counselor, MA, APCC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
My name is, Jose Zarate, and I attained my master’s degree from California State University, Sacramento in Counseling with a specialization in
Marriage
, Couple, and Family Counseling. I embrace, at the heart of my therapy practice, a collaborative, justice-informed approach that embraces the transformative power of narrative therapy. Together, we will work to explore the stories you tell yourself about your life and experiences and how those narratives have shaped your beliefs, behaviors, and emotions
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Mariann C. Tymn, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
Do you need help to make changes in your life? My main areas of interest & experience include parenting issues, LGBTQ issues, sexual abuse, trauma (childhood & recent),
marriage
/relationship problems, depression, ADHD, & career counseling. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and sexual/gender orientation. My work with you begins by providing a safe and non-judging place for you to talk about your needs. We will work together to help you make positive changes in your life. I am happy to answer any questions about how I work and how therapy might work for you.

Keith Britany
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you seeking counseling for you, your teen, or your family? Considering divorce or developing your will or trust & need support? My name is Keith Britany, Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapist. Private practice offices in Los Gatos & Santa Cruz, CA. My goal is assisting you in identifying your strengths, needs & concerns and find ways to use those strengths to build a better outcome for you and those in your life. Keith Britany LMFT, Helping Individuals and Families Live Healthier Lives. Services include: Therapy, Mediation, Collaborative Trusts and Estates, Collaborative Divorce & Communication Coaching. 831-566-3728, www.therapy-and-coaching.com
Not accepting new clients

Bridgett Ballisty
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Life and relationships can be difficult to navigate. I have found it is always easier to know someone is rooting for you to win, to know you have a coach in your corner, a confidant at your side. I see my role as a
Marriage
and Family Therapist in the same way; a source for receiving encouragement, guidance, and growth. We are all in different stages of the growing process and sometimes it becomes difficult to face it alone. Witnessing clients prevail with hope, growth, and healing through talk therapy reinforces my belief in the practice.

Dr. Mitch and Lisa Private Couples Workshops
PsyD, MSW
Relationships in Crisis: We Have Four to Six Private Couples/
Marriage
Workshops & Individual Sessions, in order to Rapidly Accelerate Your Healing & Your Communication Process (Traditional 45 min. session Does Not Work). During these 4 to 6 weeks, we will see both of you Together & Individually, as well as Help each of you Learn the Art of Empathy, Sensitivity & Compassion. These Workshops are Informative & Powerful, in order to Accelerate the Healing Process & Stop any further Damage from Occurring. In Addition, Our Success RATE is 85% of Our Couples that have Successfully Completed Our Couples Workshops or Alcohol Treatment.
Not accepting new clients

Helen A. Harris
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Licensed as a
Marriage
& Family Therapist 1/90.
Our wounds, when healed can become our gifts. My orientation is Eclectic and Holistic. I provide psychotherapy and EMDR to adults and couples. How we see ourselves and feel about ourselves affects every choice we make. We are in relationship to everyone and everything, including ourselves. Inner Healing changes how we relate to ourselves and the world.

Genine Leighton
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a licensed
marriage
and family therapist in private practice in Santa Cruz, CA. I provide psychotherapy for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, women's issues, perinatal/postpartum challenges, infertility, trauma recovery, and career struggles/transitions. I work with couples who may be struggling with communication, intimacy, and overall dissatisfaction with their current relationship dynamics. I also facilitate groups for postpartum challenges, parenting and body image. Please view my website for detailed and current information regarding my practice at www.sunmindtherapy.com

Lori Galperin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW
Verified
Verified
Lori's training includes hypnosis, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Processing Therapies, and psychodramatic techniques, as well as the original Masters & Johnson model of
marital
and sexual co-therapy, as taught by its founders.
Lori Galperin, MSW has been a therapist, program founder, clinical director, teacher and writer for 27+ years. She is highly skilled in multiple types of therapeutic treatment. Her areas of specialization focus in the following areas: 1) Working with individuals and couples around issues of intimacy, relational and attachment problems, sexual dysfunction, trauma and compulsivity, and 2) Eating disorders recovery, including from anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating; and 3) Clinical writing, focused on the "recovery" process from addictive behaviors and mental health problems to a state of vital aliveness, meaningfulness, and relatedness.

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!

Alison Hunter Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified
Verified
I am a California Licensed
Marriage
and Family Therapist.
I believe that therapy is a partnership between the therapist and you, the client. I will work with you to support the process of growth and discovery as well as to work toward the goals which brought you to therapy. In my work with couples, individuals, families, and children, I use a strengths based, collaborative approach. Whether you want to improve your relationships, learn new coping skills, develop your parenting skills, or work toward other personal goals, I encourage you to give me a call so we can develop a plan which will work for you.
See more therapy options for
Marriage Counseling Therapists
How does marriage counseling work?
Marriage counseling works by teaching couples concrete skills to communicate with one another and solve disagreements in healthy ways. A trained mental health professional works with both members of a couple to explore difficulties the couple may be having and helps them develop skills to address these matters. Couples who don’t have any difficulties but want to prepare for marriage may develop skills for the future.
How long does marriage counseling typically last?
Marriage counseling is a short-term form of therapy; the process may last between four and eight sessions. Other forms of relationship guidance from mental health professionals, such as couples therapy, are longer lasting, may focus on the past rather than just the present, and are tailored to the individual couple and their emotions, history, and patterns in the relationship. Couples therapy often lasts for 12 weeks or longer.
Is marriage counseling effective?
Marriage counseling helps many couples develop relationship skills that may not have been acquired or tested in a relationship; partners may be better able to communicate and address conflict following counseling. However, there are many different forms of marriage counseling, and this form of counseling does not have as strong an evidence base as other modalities such as couples therapy.
Is marriage counseling effective if only one partner wants to go?
Yes, marriage counseling can still be effective if one partner convinces the other to engage in the process. Of course, whether counseling is effective depends on the couple’s commitment to work on their relationship; however, the short-term, skills-based nature of marriage counseling makes it a relatively easy “ask” of a partner, and the hesitant individual may see its value once counseling begins.