Therapists in Santa Maria, CA

Diana H Peinado
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Life can be full of challenges. With the many demands and uncertainty we face daily, learning how to cope with these stressors is extremely beneficial. Helping clients improve overall functioning and developing their "tool box" of skills will lead their ideal life.

Forrest Hong
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Hi, my name is Forrest Hong, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1993. As you enter into my session, please be aware that my approach is client centered and is focused on what you, the client, wish to target during your time with me. As a therapist, I am here to help you gain and enhance your tools to resolve concerns and issues related to mood disturbances, adjustment to changes in life, and finding options and alternative choices not considered. I work with and have experience with a broad-range of diverse clients.

Leslie R Anderson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA LMFT, RPT
Verified
Verified
Therapy is a process of healing, growth and change. The aim is to achieve lasting growth by helping you find ways of seeing, thinking and feeling that leave you more capable and prosperous. My passion is to help children, teens, couples and adults build on their strengths to reach their full potential. My style is compassionate, nonjudgmental and interactive.

Cari Pillo
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Sometimes life feels like too much. Maybe you’ve had a stressful event happen recently, or maybe it feels like your whole life is stressful. When life’s challenges pile up, we can often feel alone, lost, and unsure of how to get ourselves back to peace. You’re not alone. Cari provides a therapeutic space that is warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental - you can be your whole self here. She will walk with you along your path of self-discovery, celebrating your triumphs and supporting you when you stumble. She is not afraid of going “deep” with you and really wrestling with life’s big questions.

Leslie Barton
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
"I believe that each person has unlimited potential within themself! It is my role to assist a person in finding the answers to the dilemnas' they may be facing. Often someone is experiencing a high level of stress through a current life circumstance that brings up feelings or grief from the past. When this happens, part of the therapy process is to deal with the "unfinished business" to access more energy to bring to the present. As a Marriage and Family therapist, I focus on relationship issues including patterns of communication that can improve to develop more satisfying relationships too.
Not accepting new clients

Deborah Bayles
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CMC
Verified
Verified
It's another day, and you're filled with worry, anxiety and dread. Thoughts keep cycling in your mind, and you find yourself feeling sad, hopeless and helpless. You don't have to continue feeling this way. You can get the tools and skills you need in to live in a calm, joyful, fulfilling way by giving yourself the gift of therapy. Allow me to safely companion you and help you gain some effective, evidence-based techniques to release the traumas of the past and the worries of the future. When you learn to fully inhabit the present moment you'll be able to truly take control and responsibility for your life. Therein lies true healing.
Waitlist for new clients

Thomas Steffora
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
12 Endorsed
Verified
12 Endorsed
Rather than feel like the future is known and already laid out with predictable patterns of suffering, I'd like to suggest that perhaps this thought/feeling is an understandable predicament but one that is inherently false. The future is uncertain. It is a road not yet traveled. Working with someone who approaches life and relationships with this perspective may be an important piece of seeing what possibilities are present.

Donna Gonzalez
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Life can be challenging to navigate alone, I provide a safe space in order to explore, connect, educate, and support. As a therapist, I provide a culturally sensitive, safe space and holistic approaches during sessions. I believe that you are the expert on your own unique experiences and I want to be a vessel to support your growth. I enjoy working with mothers from everyday life stressors to baby blues and postpartum depression/anxiety. I have a strong background in working with Autistic and Down Syndrome individuals. Moreover, I am interested in working with first-generation individuals and breaking transgenerational trauma
Not accepting new clients

Ken Hutchinson
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Thanks for visiting. I'm an experienced psychologist building a small part time practice in Albuquerque. I will just have relocated here about (6-10-23) after living in CA and before that Silver City, NM. I conduct psychotherapy with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I work with older adolescents and adults. I approach therapy from a gestalt perspective which means a level of depth and connection in therapy. I also train therapists in gestalt therapy and specialize in doing therapy with other therapists. My goal is to help others live richly, meaningfully, and deeply. I welcome those who find this information resonant.

Muneerah N Uqdah
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Taking the first step to seek professional help can be difficult and daunting but that first step is all you need to start your healing journey. I am passionate about helping others get through life's toughest challenges and stressors whether it be how to resolve that conflict at work or school to struggles with trauma, depression and anxiety or to gain more self awareness and insight. Through a client centered and collaborative approach, I will work with you to accomplish your goals, gain insight, and help you become the best version of yourself.

Sandra Garcia
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am a Bilingual-Bicultural therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. Although I am experienced in working with a myriad of treatment modalities and populations, my passion is working with trauma clients. I am passionate about what I do and my goal as a therapist is to provide my client's with compassionate quality care that will aide them through their healing journey.
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Micah A Gamez
Associate Clinical Social Worker, MSW, ASW
Verified
Verified
It can be difficult to reach out and ask for help, especially when life gets tough. Perhaps you have been dealing with something heavy and feeling alone for some time. Finding it difficult to express how you truly feel, in a safe, non-judgmental space. It can be overwhelming, confusing, and leave you feeling angry or empty. I want to tell you that you do not have to do it alone.
Not accepting new clients

Nancy Perez-Lopez
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life? Stress getting unbearable? Relationship troubles? Losing hope? Kids being uncooperative or acting out? Or would you simply want to gain self-awareness and grow emotionally? I am here to provide you with a safe therapeutic environment in which you will be able to grow as an individual by overcoming life challenges, underlying problems, relationship issues, and other concerns that can be contributing to your presenting symptoms and behaviors.

Marisol Mariscal
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Licensed Bilingual/Bicultural Marriage &Family Therapist with 15 years of experience working for the Latinx community.
Not accepting new clients

Annamarie Darnell
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I believe in working together to build supports and a positive experience for the clients I work with. I believe in working on changing thoughts that then can hopefully change behaviors and eventually create a more positive experience/life for the client that I work with. Therapy is a team effort and not just one person is responsible for the outcome. If you have anxiety, depression or have overall negative thoughts that seem to impact you more and more, we can work together to over come that.

Yeji Lee
Associate Clinical Social Worker, MA, MSW, ACSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Feeling overwhelmed, confused, stuck/struggling, or wanting to understand yourself better are all things we can face throughout our lives. We can often ask “what’s wrong with me?” when everything is seemingly as it’s supposed to be, but that doesn’t mean you don’t face challenges. It can be difficult and scary to ask for help, especially from a therapist, which is why I am passionate about providing you with a safe, nonjudgmental, and warm space to express your needs. I’m a strong believer in you being the expert on you and therapy being a partnership where I can support, guide, and challenge you where you need it.

Elements Counseling Group
Counselor, LPCC, MCA, CSC, CCDS, CATIV
Verified
Verified
The mission of Elements Counseling Group is to offer therapy, psycho-education and support to individuals, families and youth. Elements will foster healthy behaviors and choices for those referred by the judicial system, our community partners and through self referrals. Elements offers youth, families, and individuals best practices and evidence based treatments for those struggling with relationships, substance abuse, mental health and personal crisis. Elements Counseling Group offers numerous groups, for individuals, youth, couples, families. See our website for a comprehensive list.

Brooks Cook
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
As a psychotherapist in New York City for 25 years, I met a lot of people with issues that seemed beyond their ability to manage alone. We all have challenges as we move forward in life and sometimes we need help. Therapy works. Try it! After relocating to California, I was asked what "city life" was like. I explained that it may seem chaotic and noisy at first but as you get to know your way around, city life becomes familiar and can even be fun. Similarly, when you call, we can begin a collaboration to affect needed changes allowing you to move forward with more confidence. I look forward meeting with you.

Megan Love
Pre-Licensed Professional, ACSW
Verified
Verified
Want to take the next step in healing but don’t know where to start? Have concerns about wanting to feel happier but feeling alone and wanting insight and support? Megan would love to help you through that process . She is passionate about supporting others in navigating the challenges, transitions, and stressors our lives demand. She wants to empower and support you in taking back control of your life as you work through trauma, anxiety, depression, or day-to-day conflicts. Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Megan is honored and excited to help with your journey to healing.

Dr Holli Stewart & Associates in Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS , MA, LMFT, PhD
Verified
Verified
Dr. Holli Stewart has multiple specialties in Psychology with two Masters, PHD & 30 years of experience. w/children as young as 2 years, teens, adults & couples. Her specialties include: Play Therapy, PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety w/ Panic, Family conflict (such as past or current abuse, domestic violence, & reunification), Depression, Chronic Pain, & OCD. In general self esteem, life transition skills & identifying patterns that contribute to current stressors are incorporated into care. Dr Stewart also treats anger substance & co-dependency. She’s written a psychological advice column for 24 years,taught classes and many news & radio shows.
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How can I find a therapist in Santa Maria?
Search for nearby therapists or counselors by inputting your city, town, or suburb; or zip code; or a provider’s name into the search bar. From there, you can filter providers by the issues they treat, cost, insurance, gender, and other factors to find providers who are well-suited to your needs. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or zip code into the search bar.
Learn more about how to find a therapist.
Learn more about how to find a therapist.
Is online therapy a good option?
Therapy conducted online can be just as effective as in-person therapy, as long as there is a strong alliance between the client and the therapist. To find a therapist who provides telehealth services to clients in your area, click “Online Therapy” on the directory homepage and search by your city or town or your zip code.
What’s the difference between a psychologist, a therapist, and a counselor?
Therapists, psychologists, and counselors are all licensed mental health professionals. In the US, psychologists have earned a doctoral degree. The terms “therapist” and “counselor” are used somewhat interchangeably, but generally therapists offer longer-term, mental health care, while counselors offer shorter-term care that may focus on one domain, such as marriage, career, or academic challenges.
What type of therapist is right for me?
Clients should consider factors such as insurance coverage and their primary reason(s) for seeking therapy to determine the type of professional best suited to their needs. Someone struggling with mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety, for example, may wish to seek out a clinical psychologist or therapist, while someone navigating career obstacles or marital upheaval may benefit from seeing a counselor who can offer short-term, targeted support.
Is everyone in the Psychology Today Therapy Directory a licensed therapist?
The Psychology Today directory lists providers who offer legitimate mental health services to the public, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors. Many have been licensed by the country or state where they practice; providers whose license or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Some clinicians or organizations provide services for which their state or country does not offer licenses, such as pastoral counseling. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.
What type of therapy is right for me?
The type of therapy best suited to a particular individual depends on several factors, including their primary reason for seeking therapy, their preferred timeline (some therapy types last for a set number of sessions, while others are open-ended), and their personality and preferences—some may prefer a more structured approach. For many individuals, multiple types of therapy could provide a good fit.
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?
Many therapists charge the same amount for online therapy as they do for in-person therapy—though clients may still find this cost-effective if it cuts down on their transportation costs. Health insurance plans often offer equivalent coverage for online and in-person therapy; indeed, in many places, they are legally required to do so. Text-based or on-demand therapy apps may be cheaper than traditional one-on-one psychotherapy; however, the practice may be less effective and is not likely to be covered by insurance.