Self Esteem Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

**PLEASE READ: PRIVATE PAY only and no insurances or superbills. Sliding scale waitlist for gender diverse folx** Hi there, I'm Lisa - my pronouns are they/them. I believe you have everything you need inside of you; I support you seeing this. I'm a coach and therapist. I've been a mental health worker for over six years in adult residential center, school-based, and community-based, as a behavior coach, and individual/family therapist. My approach is warm, direct, strengths- and mindfulness-based. I work primarily with teens and young adults, which may also include family. My work is neurodiversity affirming and LGTBQIA+ affirming.

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.

Are everyday struggles blocking you from being your ideal self? I am a therapist who will work in partnership with you to help find the balance, contentedness, and the fulfillment in life you deserve. I utilize a collaborative, empathetic approach while not shying away from occasionally challenging you in a way that respects you as an individual.

Hi. I am Joe Sousa, a licensed psychotherapist in the State of CA. I've been providing counseling services in the Santa Cruz area in one form or another since 1993. Here's the issues I work with in therapy: Relationship enhancement, improve communication, sexual intimacy; handling difficulties, such as breakups and divorce; discovering life purpose and build self-esteem; issues relating to school, careers, money, a child or an elderly parent; dealing with powerful emotions, like anger, anxiety, depression, fear, grief, loss, and panic; addictive or compulsive behavior, with regard to alcohol, drugs, food, sex and/or porn.

I believe therapy is the development of a safe and trusting relationship between the facilitator and the participant. Therapy can be hard work and getting started can be scary, however making art, using play or being in nature can ease this process. As your therapist I will encourage you to use your creative imagination as a vehicle to understanding your inner turmoil, psychic pain or stagnancy. Along the way we will be implementing these effective tools in cultivating a more fulfilling life experience.

I am currently accepting new clients. You deserve the opportunity to reach your full potential. You may feel held back by tough times, or life's wounds. My goal is to provide unconditional acceptance and support, so you can go to your most vulnerable places and transform them into powerful strengths. YOU have the capacity to heal emotional pain. I will work with you in a way that feels emotionally safe and at your own pace. My style is warm and relational, and I enjoy approaching the therapeutic process using creative methods such as expressive arts.

Human beings are complex. Part of us wants to make a change in our life, while another part holds on tightly to the way things are. We have parts that are harsh and critical, parts that are kind and gentle. Mature parts that show up like a boss, and childlike parts that just want someone else to take care of things for once. If you’re feeling pulled in multiple directions by different parts of yourself, and having trouble figuring out how to fit all the pieces together, I’d love to be the therapist to support you on that journey.

Do you struggle with feeling that you aren't the person you want to be? You want to find purpose, passion, and serenity in your day-to-day life. And you want to feel comfortable and unconditionally supported and accepted in therapy. I strongly believe in a collaborative approach, tailoring our work to fit your individual qualities, needs, and desires to develop a safe environment for your growth and healing. I have worked extensively with depression, anxiety, trauma, couples issues, ADD/ADHD, addiction, self-esteem issues, family of origin issues, and relationship challenges.

Maybe NOW is the right time. Maybe I am the person. Do you need support and strategies to help you through a difficult time or address a particular problem? Let me help. It is an honor to connect with you and work together to help you overcome obstacles, adjust to transitions, and help you become the person, couple, or family that you want to become. Benefit from my 18+ years of experience, as well as my lifelong active and vital pursuit of knowledge and well-being. Compassionate, effective, intelligent and holistic. Let me help and support you in moving forward.

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.

I help people with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, lack of purpose or meaning, addiction &/or alcoholism and many other challenges. I use my knowledge and experience combined with empathy and compassion to support your therapeutic journey. I want to help you better understand yourself, develop coping skills for improved daily living and healthier relationships, and achieve a greater sense of inner peace. I use holistic techniques and client-centered therapy to support you in finding self-awareness, self-compassion, and balance, all of which are keys to the growth and healing process.

Life can feel hard sometimes. You may be feeling stuck; struggling in your relationships or work, drowning in hopelessness, exhausted by the relentlessness of your thoughts or behaviors, overwhelmed by your worries, consumed by sadness or plagued by low self-esteem or poor body image. You know you can’t keep living this way. You want to have thriving relationships, confidence, joy and an ease to your days. You have the innate wisdom and knowing that will guide you towards healing, as I walk alongside you on this journey of self-exploration and empowerment. You have the potential to be whole, healthy and happy.

In our work together, I will be your biggest advocate and strongest cheerleader. I offer a safe, collaborative approach to supporting adults, teens & children with such issues as grief & loss, trauma, challenges with relationships, self esteem , and exploring gender and sexual identity. Through the process of child-led, experiential play therapy, I support children in their healing process & work closely with parents along the way. With teens and adults I integrate creative expression, talking, skill-building, and strength-based, client-led approaches to ensure each person's therapeutic needs and goals are met.

I'm passionate about creating a warm, non-judgmental and safe environment for children, adults, and families to make positive changes in their lives. I approach therapy in an integrative way based on one’s needs. I work with many topics surrounding mental health and especially love working with anxiety, shame, depression, self-esteem, and trauma. I enjoy using techniques and ideas from a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as: CBT, Person-centered, Humanistic, Strength-based, and Solution-focused. I'm passionate about bringing healing into people's lives so they are able to lead a happier life for themselves.