Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Have you experienced a traumatic event that has left you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move forward? Or maybe grew up in a home that left you struggling to feel safe or worthy of love? If so, I want you to know that you are not alone. Trauma can really shake up our lives, affecting our identity, relationships, work-life balance, and the ability to just feel comfortable in our own skin. Whether you have experienced a one-time traumatic event or a pattern of ongoing trauma, I am here to help. Together, we will explore your experiences and develop practical tools to help you overcome trauma and reclaim your life.

As a licensed therapist with over fourteen years of experience I have worked extensively with individuals and families seeking support navigating life challenges. I bring a unique perspective to my practice and provide a nonjudgmental and supportive environment. I work well with clients who are motivated to make improvements in their lives and need help getting started. With my partnership we can develop tools to make the necessary changes in areas that need to be addressed while strengthening the areas that are going well.

My therapeutic methodologies are evidence-based practices such as EMDR, Mindfulness, and CBT. Deep Brain Orienting (DBR) is not yet celebrated as evidence-based, but present research and results are directing it. I am a certified EMDR therapist. I help adult individuals who have experienced PTSD, childhood and adult traumas, rape, depression, anxiety, dissociative episodes, sexual addictions, eating disorders, pain management. The treatment is structured to help you heal and integrate your past experiences, returning you to wholeness and healing. Please note: I am out of TriCare's network but can provide a superbill.

My therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in holistic and collaborative relationships in order to promote overall wellbeing. I celebrate diversity, and my goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, and non-judgmental space to explore experiences, and process emotions. I am passionate about supporting clients as they cultivate skills to achieve meaningful progress.

As the global pandemic has shown us, sometimes life becomes overwhelming and uncontrollable. During these times it may be best to talk with someone outside of your community of family, friends or co-workers. A warm hearted professional to lend a moment of support and guidance. I share with clients in deciding how best to approach the issues, with the intent of addressing both the current distressing symptoms and long-standing patterns of behavior that are getting in the way of a thriving life. My practice is telehealth-based, and I accept direct pay (some prefer for privacy) as well as most PPO plans as an Out of Network provider.

Are you feeling stuck, lost, frustrated or helpless? Did no amount of affirmations or self-talk change the mind? We can't access our full Self from just cognitive. The body reflects the mind & stores trauma unconsciously which disrupts the nervous system & natural ability to regulate, causing symptoms like anxiety, depression, etc. Symptoms can seem like “traits" when they aren’t contextualized in survival defenses, ancestral, interpersonal & social layers. So we will co-create a nourishing space to hear somatic stories, identify triggers, patterns & skills to realign with innate wisdom so you can move helplessness to empowerment.

The brain has a negative bias, it scans for threat. Scanning for the "negative" is not all bad. Being stuck in this "negative" state of scanning for danger can hinder movement forward. I can help you shift from fear state to different states of being with interest and curiosity. This shift from state to state is what helps grow your resiliency and ability to tolerate.

I look forward to witnessing when my clients reach their goals. I have partnered with clients sharing what I've learned for over 17 years. We all have our unique histories and strengths. I am inspired by your journey and your readiness to makes changes. To work with you ethically (Social Work Code of Ethics), I have education, training and supervision (AASECT and EMDRIA) as well as my own personal self-growth practices.

I founded Embark Therapy with a mission to empower you to achieve profound self-awareness, navigate through previous traumas, and embark on your personal journey of discovery. In our fast-paced world, the decision to pause and engage in introspection is a transformative act of defiance against the mainstream rush. At Embark, we collaborate closely with you to enhance your reflective capabilities and illuminate aspects of your past that may have been neglected or unseen. Our goal is to unearth unresolved emotions, facilitating their expression and processing, thereby enabling you to release the burdens of your past.

Welcome! As a therapist, I strive to reflect upon and understand the needs of my clients. Navigating life and all its challenges can be tough - we can all use a bit of support from time to time. Managing our moods, our needs, and learning to express them effectively is no easy task. I believe we all seek understanding, kindness, and compassion in our lives. Increasing our sense of confidence in living a life aligned with our goals and desires is the key to improved well-being.

Hi there lovers. You want to feel understood and connected socially and personally. It's important for you to explore your raw self without guilt or shame, yet most of us don't have that luxury. The goal of therapy is self exploration and awareness, recognizing conditionings, traumas, and learned patterns keeping you looping. People feel most benefit from therapy when they are ready to put in work outside the session as much as in the session. I use humor, empathy and directness to give you a stable yet direct support system to help navigate your life towards satisfaction and feeling fulfilled.