Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Hannah Schaler
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Being a human these days is hard, and even more so when you get into complicated dynamics with your relationships, job, or family. Perhaps it's all feeling like too much? Or maybe you have a hunch that you can live a fuller life? Reaching out to a therapist does not mean that you are broken; it means that you are ready to evolve. With my background in art and extensive therapeutic training, I offer a dynamic healing experience that addresses old patterns in both mind and body. I can provide a supportive and creative space for you to explore yourself, practice relational skills, and grow into a life that you truly want to be living.

Vula Baliotis
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
The most important thing in working together is building the foundation of a trusting relationship, where you can feel safe to talk openly. You know your life better than anyone else does. Therefore, we will hold great respect for your self-wisdom. Together with my professional knowledge and experience, we can work to help you discover how to live life in a way that is most fitting for you. NOTE: a professional relationship will not be formed until we both agree to do so, and only during/after an initial meeting. Any prior contact is for informational purposes only.

Lena Dicken
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
The process of therapy is one of self exploration and self discovery. Many of my clients seek therapy during life transitions or when experiencing relationship challenges. Some suffer from lack of self confidence, or are plagued by anxiety without an understanding of its cause. Through our work together I help people gain insight and understanding about the problems they’re encountering and become aware of unhelpful patterns they may be repeating. As a result of gaining new perspectives and understanding their emotional landscape on a deeper level, my clients often experience life in a more rich and meaningful way.

Donna S Baltas
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
I have designed a private psychotherapy office especially for the creative client. This type of personality is more visually sensitive to their environment. The unique eclectic furniture styles, colors, fabrics, lighting, varied types of art work, and musical instruments, help create an uplifting and soothing atmosphere for therapy.

Dhanya Murali
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, APCC
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
Life can be tricky, but also a beautiful journey of learning, growing, and experiencing change. You may wish to cope with conflict better, have a hard time resisting temptation, or frequently feel overwhelmed. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be your true self. Through learning and practicing the art of self-compassion, we will work together to help navigate the challenges you're facing. As your emotional tour guide, I can bring awareness to perspectives you may be missing and provide tools that will be forever useful. Clients say that I make sessions fun without sacrificing the hard work that can change your life.

Phil Sayegh
Psychologist, PhD, MPH
Verified
Verified
Welcome to Sayegh Psychology (https://sayeghpsychology.com/), a small psychological assessment private practice in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Phil Sayegh offers psychoeducational, neuropsychological, psychological, and personality assessments for adolescents (ages 16+), adults, and older adults. Assessments can help you understand yourself or your child better, identify strengths and weaknesses, and support access to appropriate accommodations at school and on standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, DAT, and State Bar). All assessments include outside consultation (e.g., speaking to schools and doctors) and completion of paperwork for academic and testing accommodations. Services available on weekends. Superbill can be provided upon request.

Slobodan Nesovic
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Experiencing anxiety, or depression, tends to overwhelm our mind with intrusive thoughts and the inability to make good decisions. Certain life events increase the intensity of difficult emotions, such as job transitions or ending a relationship. It is at those times that we need useful tools and support to manage the difficulties we face. Avoiding anxiety or depression is not the answer. Learning how to manage it and work with it is the key. Living a healthy life is within your reach and the energy psychology approaches could help you to make it happen.

Denise Maratos
Pre-Licensed Professional, PhD, EdM
Verified
Verified
Do you need support finding your life’s purpose? Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you find it difficult to feel pain and face your shadows? While considering the whole person- heart, soul, mind and body, I trust that you enter therapy having the insight you need to navigate your distress. I use the term "depth emergence" to explain my orientation and approach. It stems from depth psychology, which emphasizes gaining access to the unconscious and bringing it into consciousness. While increasing awareness we derive meaning, evolve, and transform.

Sam Miller
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
The relationship between client and therapist is essential for meaningful work to take place. To honor your process, I will approach our discussions with warmth, empathy, realness, with the intent to challenge you as we create the space to truly face your experience of the world. My therapeutic approach is integrative and relational, and rooted in the idea that our past experiences influence our reflexive responses the world around us as we continue to grow. In our work we will focus on the present and past to discover and adapt what hasn’t historically worked for you, as you navigate relationships, life stressors, and change.

Kayna Cassard
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Life throws us obstacles every day. Sometimes we are able to overcome them on our own. Other times however, it is harder to move through them without support. When life becomes overwhelming & there seems like nowhere else to turn, therapy can be a helpful option. To some, therapy seems scary, uncomfortable, strange, or even stigmatizing. But overall, it takes courage to seek help or to make a change. I have training, education, & experience working with a range of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, & addiction.

Allison Nurse-Hofer
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MBA
Verified
Verified
You've been feeling like your life just wasn’t supposed to go this way… like you were once on solid ground, but now you’re swimming through quicksand. Maybe the pain of infertility or miscarriage has left you feeling completely hopeless...or you're a new mom wondering why no one ever told you how tough it would be. Maybe difficult memories you thought you'd buried long ago are beginning to sabotage your life…or the promising future you were headed for as an athlete, dancer or performing artist seems to have vanished. You feel lost in an overwhelming sea of emotion..things just aren’t working out…something has got to change.
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Jonathan Boland
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, BCD, MPH, USN-Vet
Verified
Verified
Are you struggling to reach your full potential? Do you feel like a prisoner of your past? Have traumatic events taken over your life? You're not alone. Life doesn’t have to be this way. I can guide you through the transformation of becoming who you were meant to be. I'll give you the courage you need to be your true authentic self, always. I’m passionate about assisting others reach their full potential. I’ve helped thousands of people just like you radically transform their lives. I’m a trauma specialist, but you are the expert on your own life. Therapy is a collaborative process in assisting you to find greater peace and balance.

(Shayna) Jean Lester
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are your relationships in trouble? Suffering from abuse, poor communication or just not feeling cherished? Or is it your relationship with yourself? Now is the time to seek help. Don't let it go to the place where it is beyond repair! I am able to serve you with SOLUTION BASED couseling. I listen with deep intention as I work with individuals, couples and families using techniques that are tailored for you and your situation. We will work toward NEW SOLUTIONS for resolution and healing. Please call and let's see if we fit!

Eveline Smilack
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFA, MA, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Do problems feel unmanageable? Are relationships growing more stressful? Sometimes life can be challenging. It can be difficult to know how to move forward. My practice is dedicated to listening carefully and offering insight with compassion and care. I offer a trusting supportive space to understand and heal emotional experiences, develop nurturing relationships, and move towards fulfilling your personal goals. Whatever your reasons for wanting to talk to someone, therapy can help you better understand your experiences. Let psychotherapy help you discover your own potential. Starting the conversation is easier than you think. Reach out to explore the possibilities.

Shelby Stone
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
Life can be tough, especially recently, but how you handle challenge shows strength and courage. How are you coping and managing relationships during these times? Maybe you are feeling stuck or hopeless, worried or isolated. Are you or a loved one struggling to deal with these changes? Therapy can help you address these issues and strengthen yourself and your relationships in the process. I believe in human resiliency and welcome you to see how this process can help you work towards more fulfillment, joy, and hope for you, your child, or loved one.

Adriana Garcia
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Change is possible and I believe therapy is a place where you can explore the challenges and achievements that make our lives feel more fulfilled. My approach to therapy is one of empathy, collaboration and practicality. I like to make therapy fun, engaging, and a safe place for you to comfortably explore your emotions and learn new healthy coping skills to support your growth. I have a passion for helping others achieve more fulfillment and balance in their lives. My goal is to provide a safe space to explore feelings that may contribute to ongoing difficulties, re-process experiences, and ultimately co-create your next chapter.

Phaizon R Wood
Marriage & Family Therapist, EdD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
As a psychotherapist, I know that initiating change can be exciting and extremely challenging. I am dedicated to supporting you through the challenges that come along with the excitement of growing and changing. My commitment is to help you understand and accept all aspects of yourself, and to feel more connected to those around you.

Susan A Herbert
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have current availability for couples and individuals. My goal is to assist individuals struggling with trauma history, addiction, and mental illness in order to develop tools for healing yourself and the negative impact on relationships. The challenges you face are not as important as the tools you need to navigate them. I honor the differences and diversities in us all, and do not believe in using a 'cookie-cutter' approach with my clients. I am a certified Gestalt Experiential Therapist, with additional experience in multiple modalities, including Choice Theory, EFT, and Psychodynamic.
Waitlist for new clients

Chris Sanchez Lascurain
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I enjoy helping youth, college students, adults, and older adults learn to manage emotional stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues. Collaborating with clients on goals helps them tap into their authentic selves, helping them identify personalized self-care skills to restructure negative thinking patterns. I think it is important to meet people where they are focusing on their strengths to inspire and motivate them to meet their particular needs or goals. I help my clients find inner happiness through a positive mindset.

Alex Frank
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
During these challenging times, much that we’ve taken for granted - health, finances, career, life dreams - may suddenly feel elusive, even precarious. I dedicate my work to helping you identify and challenge your obstacles so that you can move beyond any part of your thinking that may be contributing to holding you back. Trained in Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapies (IPT) therapies, I also draw from traditional psychodynamic theory (i.e. attachment and early family dynamics) and mindfulness to guide you toward your desired change.
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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.