Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Elizabeth Corpstein
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Life can be challenging and overwhelming. You are not alone if you are longing to feel deeper satisfaction with yourself and your relationships. Life feels very different when you feel confident, empowered, and fulfilled. I will illuminate paths to attain or reconnect you with these parts of yourself. I have helped many women and men transform their feelings of shame, disappointment, and desperation into self-confidence, happiness and hope. After working with me you will be able to make better choices in all areas of your life, including love, work and family relationships.

Payton Somers
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
Verified
The clients that feel best served by my care are clients who are either motivated for, or contemplating, change in their life. These clients are curious about their personal patterns of behavior, exploring their past and present experiences, and are striving for a deeply fulfilling life. I serve clients who are experiencing the impact of trauma, depression and/or anxiety, identity changes (marriage, divorce, sobriety, parenthood, graduation, etc.), grief and loss, and perinatal mood disorders (perinatal anxiety and/or depression).

Jackson Varady
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Building Emotional Resilience is key towards achieving a balanced life. You may be a parent dealing with the challenge of a defiant child, or a spouse suffering with a critical or distant partner. Perhaps you're a high-powered professional grappling with the demands of career and family, or a sensitive teenager navigating the precarious path towards young adulthood. In either case, whether it's relationship issues, difficult feelings, worrying thoughts, unwanted behaviors, or even just searching for answers to some of life's biggest questions, I can provide guidance, support, and wisdom towards realizing obtainable solutions.

Matthew Shapiro
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
Are you having the dawning realization that you aren’t living life as fully as you could be? Are you experiencing troubled relationships, a narrowing sense of possibility, or wounded self-esteem? Or maybe you simply have the gnawing sense that it’s time for a change, but no idea how to make it happen. If so, this is a great time to step into therapy. I use a collaborative, depth-oriented approach to help individuals and couples overcome obstacles, build on their strengths, and move through a variety of challenges.

Shireen G Rafat
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I work with adults and the elderly in individual and couples therapy. My areas of interest include cross cultural issues, women's issues, marital / relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief and loss and adjustment issues.

Emily Caroline Pernoll
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My deepest intention is to grow compassion and human connection. My greatest hope through our work together is for you to know you are whole and worthy of love and belonging. With over 10 years as a therapist, educator and mindfulness facilitator, I offer integrative psychotherapy, spiritual coaching and group programs. My work is informed by mindfulness and compassion practices, the neuroscience of trauma and attachment and the mind-body connection.

Paige E. Roberts
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, CBP, CLT
Verified
Verified
I assist athletes and high performers with cutting edge neuroscience, quantum and meta physics based techniques aimed at resetting the nervous system to maintain optimal energy performance. I use my altered conciouness state technique called Alpha Imprinting. This technique allows you to fully reprocess past hurts, pains, traumas, stressors and failuires to fully release from your nervous system. Alpha Imprinting allows you to desensitize your nervous system on the sensory or unconcious level from any potential of worst case scenarios so you can maintain flow "alpha" brain wave state while performing.

Sherry Alamdari
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
You are there for everyone. Whenever. Wherever. You spend so much time being there for others that there’s no room for yourself. And let’s be honest, you’d rather not think about that. Giving the outside world what it needs is easy. Giving that to yourself is hard. It’s painful. You feel so awkward and uncertain of who you are in the world. You’re drowning in the muck inside you with no way of knowing how to get out.

A and J Behavioral Health
PhDBCBA
Verified
Verified
Often parents do not know who to turn to when behavioral issues occur. Behaviors of concern could include not eating properly, having friendship issues, not doing well in school, sleeping issues, hyperactivity, aggressiveness towards others. We can help when your pediatrician or psychiatrist cannot help. Our expertise is in behavioral health with engaging in a playful positive reinforcement strategy through use of the science of behavior analysis. The parents become partners in our process to help their children. It i our pleasure to do so

Sara Barthol
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CST
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Are you having concerns related to anxiety, depression or sexuality, either individually or as a couple? Are you a parent or teen who is having challenges at home/school? Are you an intern looking for supervision for Licensure? If any of this applies to you, I would be happy to discuss if I could be of any help to you. Please feel free to email or call me with questions.

Jannell Greene Banchik
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Being human is exciting and beautiful... and challenging! My work is grounded in respect and empathy for how individuals, couples, and families pave a path in life. Together we make change possible by bringing your unique, personal knowledge and experience into awareness, and then moving through the stuckness of unkind thoughts or feelings of powerlessness before problems. Together we will work to reconnect you to the whole experience of being human: feeling emotions, attuning to thoughts and beliefs, creating healthy relationships, and recognizing you whole life story is one of strength, resilience and moments of joy.
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Ashlee Petersen
Drug & Alcohol Counselor, CADCI
Verified
Verified
My focus is to assist my clients with identifying purpose and passion in their lives. Sobriety can be a challenging road to walk however having a purpose in your life and additional motivation to grow and change can help to become the best version of yourself. After many years of struggling with my own personal addiction and successfully sustaining sobriety I became a believer in reinventing your life. I specialize in drug and alcohol counseling , wrap around Case Management support for the client and if need be the family. I utilize in person and remote support for the client and family.

Gwen Grigsby
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I believe we are born with the resiliency to handle life’s challenges. Early on, we develop coping strategies that don't always serve us in the long run. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, a life transition, a traumatic experience, grief, or relationship difficulties, we all need a supportive and compassionate other to join us as we untangle what's no longer working and discover new ways to access our inner strength and authenticity. I’d love to be this person for you.
Waitlist for new clients

Maxine J Dusig, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
It is a privilege to work with you. I am committed to assist you in discovering any emotional issues that may be troubling. Some of the issues may be relationships, depression, anxiety or any crisis. I am understanding of life's difficulties. I will help you discover how they are affecting you. You will gain more knowledge about yourself as well as others. You may need to learn new tools in managing difficult situations. I will help you to grow, gain more knowledge of yourself, and to set better boundaries In communication. I look forward to meeting with you and establishing a good working relationship.

Marleen D Urbaitis
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I have been working as a Psychologist in private practice for more than 20 years. In addition I am a supervisor at a large medical center working with clients with varying mental health issues. I work best with adults, couples and teens who are experiencing some difficulty in their lives and have not been able to address it on their own. This often manifests as unhappiness, anxiety, relationship problems, anger, depression or even substance abuse. I enjoy working with someone to uncover the obstacles that keep them stuck and to facilitate what they may need to continue moving forward in their life.

Maya Rasak
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, IBP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Feeling stuck in familiar self defeating patterns? I can help uncover unconscious habits or behaviors that keep you anxious and depressed. Through active listening, interactive exercises, my direct approach helps you encounter hidden parts of yourself, enabling you to integrate these into one whole, thriving person with greater capacity to live and love completely. With extensive background in Western Psychology and Eastern practices I treat the whole being which leads to deeper awareness, changes in behavior and more satisfying relationships with others. Nothing changes if you don't take action. The journey begins with you.

Peggy Barrett
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
The best gifts you can give are deeper relationships with yourself and others. When depression, anxiety, trauma or grief interfere with your life, your relationships may suffer both internally and externally. If your life seems chaotic or lacks meaning it can be daunting to deal with these on your own. The courage to ask for help and enter into a therapeutic relationship is a powerful first step. You are empowered to discover your essence and begin to find meaning and purpose in your life. I will work collaboratively with you to establish a trusting therapeutic relationship. This will allow you to trust your intuition and heal.

Brittani Simberg
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
It is my greatest privilege to join someone on their journey; to help them find their way around the boulders, over the stumbling blocks and out of the crevasses that have derailed goals, clouded views or kept them from happiness. To see them make the changes they have dreamed of. Together we can examine patterns, identify sources of hope, build on strengths, challenge fears and create road maps which you can use to take those next powerful, healing steps. I specialize in working with individuals and couples struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma and relational issues.

Lindsay Kerr
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
Verified
Hi there, I’m Lindsay - welcome to my practice. With compassion and efficiency, we will work towards replacing frustrating patterns that are keeping you stuck. I will support you in gaining new skills and insights that build self-worth, create healthier relationships, and promote relief from your current challenges. My goal is to help you identify what's keeping you stuck and build the skills and resiliency to move through it.

Anna Major
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
11 Endorsed
Verified
11 Endorsed
Your past pain is real and it is common for that past pain to hurt in the present. You don't have to "just accept it". I have success working with clients experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, domestic abuse, maternal mental health issues, family discord, and also have extensive experience working with children, adolescents and families. My clients trust that I can help them over come whatever their challenges are. One of my passions is Prenatal Bonding and psychology, enhancing the bond between mother and child to improve birth outcomes and reduce difficulty in delivery.
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How can I find a therapist in Santa Monica?
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.