Veterans Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Whatever your struggle, the first step of reaching out can be daunting. Each of us is unique. Our stories are our own. Our challenges are deep and personal and are like ice burgs, mostly hidden from view. Sometimes we need someone to help navigate these depths, to help process the present, and the past and to renegotiate the future. This is the path to authenticity, contentment and freedom. This is true for us individually and in our relationships.

My current work focuses on Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups, Active and Retired First Responders and Military facing Crisis Situations, Relationship Issues, Trauma and Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Growth and Self Exploration, Severe Mental Illness, Dual Diagnosis, Addiction & Recovery. I utilize approaches including but not limited to CBT, Systems, Somatic and other models. While I will use pieces from the above mentioned models and theories each individual client will require a different mix of psychotherapy approaches. Individual treatment plans and various interventions will be used to assist each specific client.

With more than 30 years of experience and a degree in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Schwartz specializes in working with 1) couples, marriage, and intimacy disorders; 2) bipolar and unipolar depression 3) eating disorders, 4) PTSD, addiction, and 5) sexual difficulties, sexual dysfunction, sexual addiction. His national recognition afforded him the experience of lecturing to over 100,000 therapists nationally, as well as editing three books. He is extremely compassionate and forms exceptional connections with his clients. He also Directs a Partial Hospitalization Program /Harmonyplacemonterey.See websight

Welcome! I’m Lesa Pascali and I am committed to connecting with individuals, couples and families through individualized therapy and to helping them to discover/rediscover the harmony, meaning and wellness within their lives. After 23 years in law enforcement and 18 years doing therapy, there aren’t many situations I haven’t seen or dealt with. I’ve worked with a variety of individuals, couples and families including, veterans , ex-offenders, victims of trauma, single adults and parents, teens and neurologically imbalanced individuals using a variety of therapies including relational life therapy, CBT & solution focused therapy.

Life and all of its stages are filled with change. At times those changes are welcomed, and other times they are unexpected, feel burdensome, and create worry. I will listen and will focus on understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to empower you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, set and attain goals, and feel relief. As a clinical social worker, I focus on the whole person in their environment. I have developed a nurturing, inclusive, person-centered approach that values each individual’s unique situation and decision making process, and look forward to connecting with you.

Feeling misunderstood and not quite right? Experiences with trauma, depressions, anxiety can be variables influencing how we feel. I understand trauma and struggles with mental health issues. I am here for those who want to do their best for themselves and in their relationships. I welcome clients who want to be better caregivers to themselves. This includes anyone dealing with depression, anxiety, addictive behavior, unprocessed childhood experiences, or failure to create healthy connections with others. My offer of also extends to new parents.

I help adults who struggle with complex trauma (personal or intergenerational), anxiety, or depression, to heal emotional wounds, transform self-defeating patterns into positive actions, and attain a sense of control, connection, and harmony. We will go beyond quick fixes and explore parts of you that carry burdens from the past, get to know them, and learn to understand how they developed and why, so they can be healed.

Most men will experience some form of impotence in their lifetime, and the likelihood of developing symptoms increases with age and declining health. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and clogged arteries due to heart problems, or old age. In normal, healthy men, erections are activated by arousal, which activates pleasure centers in the brain. The brain sends messages down the spinal column, ending in the penile arteries. Pressure/shockwave treatments supports athletic sports injuries that can also contribute to inflammation restricting blood flow in the body.

Steps away from the beach, Lighthouse Counseling is located on the campus of Janus of Santa Cruz where compassionate licensed and pre-licensed therapists are available to provide client-focused therapy to you and your family. We provide therapy to people who are looking to heal from a variety of challenges including but not limited to addiction, mental health, life transitions, relationship issues as well as circumstances linked to poverty, trauma and marginalization. We serve clients with diverse backgrounds and across the life-span (children, youth, adolescents, young adult , adults and older adults) couples and families.

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".

VIDEO SESSIONS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CLIENTS . . . . . Initiating therapy can be a daunting and challenging process, and that begins with selecting a therapist around whom you will feel comfortable, safe and respected. To help you with that process, I'll start by sharing a few things about myself. I became a therapist because I discovered that it was a large part of who I am. Even at an early age, I found that I was often the person others felt safe to let their guard down with - to share what was happening below the surface, and to seek out my advice.

Welcome! My approach to therapy is an eclectic and collaborative approach that will meet your individual needs. I enjoy working with adults, children, couples, and families. I will value your perspective and work collaboratively with you while providing support and guidance in achieving your goals. Together we can create a therapeutic relationship that offers self-awareness, acceptance, insight, resources, and the integration of past and present experiences. Such integration can provide you with a sense of mastery and confidence that will help you regulate your emotional and cognitive responses in your everyday life.

“Why?”, you ask, “does my life seem so hard?” Anxiety and depression, constant companions, you wonder why you aren’t feeling better after all the hard work you have done on yourself. The voices in your head - “You’re not good enough” or “No one cares” are getting louder - again. You are certain others will see through you and your “imposter syndrome”, get annoyed, and eventually leave. Most of the time you're taking care of others' needs. Often a welcome distraction, you're tired of feeling invisible to those closest to you.

When a couple comes to see me, there is most often a feeling of safety. Because they know that the model I use for the healing of couples' relationships brings such a high percentage of satisfaction. The model is EFT ( Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples). Even though EFT does not need the teaching of communication skills, I am also, a communication teacher. For the couple and myself, it is always thrilling to see workable interventions that give them more freedom and safety because life is so much easier living within a secure relationship.

From authenticity, compassion, and loving-kindness, I offer you a safe place to be heard and understood. Then together we can create strategies to manage your emotions, have meaningful relationships, and enjoy more your life. As a bilingual/bi-cultural psychotherapist, I can relate to ethnic and racial discrimination.

I want you to have a better life. Maybe you're lonely or sad. Maybe you're struggling in your relationships. Together, we'll get to the root of your pain. We'll uncover the patterns and wounds that get in the way of having the life you want. My caring presence provides a place where you can revitalize your life and fill it with new meaning.

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!