Female Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Often times, feelings of anxiety, depression, and fear can leave us paralyzed and unable to achieve our goals and find real fulfillment. I believe that through therapy and the relationship created in the therapeutic process, people can confront and overcome the feelings that may be keeping them from fully realizing their potential. As a therapist my goal is to create a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental environment in which you can explore feelings, resolve painful issues from the past and present, improve relationships and achieve fulfillment.

Many survivors of trauma feel isolated from their supportive relationships & community, feeling intense and persistent fear, anxiety, agitation, & at times disconnection. Trauma dramatically shifts our experiences of the world & how we relate to others, leaving many feeling alone & stuck simply surviving. Trauma is a psychological injury, & is reparable & treatable. With a multimodal approach, I help clients restore a sense of safety in their environment & within themselves, deeply heal traumatic injuries, and reconnect within relationships & engage in meaningful lives.

You are mad at yourself because once again you're in a relationship with a narcissist. Your partner was fun and charming, but now you realize that he/she; is only interested in himself, is incapable of recognizing their responsibility when things go wrong, angry most of the time, and often has terrifying rage episodes; tell you that you are the crazy one. You feel isolated and confused and longer able to trust your own reality. You mask the pain with alcohol, drugs, sex, over-spending, over-working, over-pleasing, and over-doing, but eventually, these ways of getting through bad days stop working. You want your life back.

Are you stuck in a rut? Do you feel like you can get more out of life? Mamas, have you recently had a baby-- and your life has been turned upside down? You are not alone and I am here to help. My strength lies in understanding your unique struggles and formulating a plan of action to overcome these obstacles. I generally use CBT, which examines the problematic patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that impact your mood. I work predominantly with professional women who are challenged by life's major milestones and transitions.

I am passionate about joining clients on their journeys to increase their overall well-being. I enjoy working with pre-teens, teens, college students, and emerging adults. During these phases of life, transition is constant. Many clients I see begin therapy due to lasting effects of trauma, overwhelming feelings, or disruptive behaviors that interrupt their daily lives. I help clients identify practical solutions to address daily challenges, build positive communication skills, set boundaries, build strong family relationships/friendships and heal from traumatic experiences.

I encourage you to get help when you need it despite how difficult it feels. As an experienced, professional psychotherapist, I can work with you in an individual or group setting to help you get through your issues and make changes in your life. You may come see me in my Santa Monica, California office or in my New York City office where I see clients once a month. I can also work with you online using Skype. I have clients as far away as London and Hong Kong. Call me if you would like a consultation.

I help women to better manage parenting, while maintaining her work/life balance. Is this you? Marriage and parenting are difficult. Often it is hard to find the energy to be patient, creative or loving. Do you struggle with solo parenting and feeling unseen? Do you want to feel more connected with your spouse? Do you want to feel like "you" again? Do you struggle with anxiety, depression and / or have experienced trauma but haven't "faced" it because "there is not enough time" or because you've "dealt with it this long", I get it and I can help you find the joy in your life again.

Dealing with various types of trauma and the ways in which it can impact our daily lives can be challenging. I am here to help you understand that your trauma does not define you. Your trauma reactions are valid and I’d like to support you in the development of healthy coping skills. This will allow you the freedom to transcend beyond traumatic experiences, forging a new path toward growth, healing, recovery and wellness. I can help you navigate and cope with addiction/substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety, life transitions, identity related issues, and family/interpersonal relationships.

I specialize in working with women who've survived trauma- whether it resulted from childhood, an abusive or toxic relationship or an event, we'll work to process what happened to you and work toward healing. We may also focus on tackling depression, anxiety and attachment issues that may be impacting your current relationships. We may discuss how to navigate dating, relationship issues, and breakups. My goal is to help you connect with your emotions, navigate overwhelming feelings, and increase your coping skills in order to improve your relationship with yourself and others.

I work collaboratively with clients to alleviate symptoms, change behavioral patterns and negative thinking, transform family-of-origin dynamics, and improve relationships. For the past 20 years, I have helped clients with anxiety, depression, relationships, grief/loss, eating disorders/body image, racial identity, chronic illness, postpartum, infertility, and life/career transitions. I specialize in working with new mothers, women at mid-life, and women in transition. I provide a supportive environment where clients learn to be present with their experience and explore emotions and thoughts with acceptance and non-judgment.

Adjusting to parenthood is one of the most profound transitions you will have in your lifetime. It is a time when support is truly needed. Not only is motherhood physically exhausting at times; it can be emotionally draining as well. The highs and pure love are often coupled with lows and uncertainty. Unfortunately, moms often do not share experiences that are outside the happiness ideal. If you are experiencing both highs and lows or feelings of ambivalence, you are not alone. These feelings are not a reflection of who you are as a person or mother.

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.

I love working with children, adolescents and young women who have "behavioral problems," "worry too much," have "big emotions," or struggle socially. My clients typically experience more of the world and feel the world more deeply than others. While this can be scary and lead to challenging behaviors, over time, a big heart is a super-power. Parents who come to my office often wonder: a) "will this help?" b) "will you understand my child?" and "c) if you understand my kid, will you then judge me?" My answers are a) "yes. It can even be fun" b) "that's my main goal" c) "not a chance."

Feeling overwhelmed and stuck are challenges that can leave you feeling lost and alone. As a therapist, I understand that the pressure for women to conform to societal expectations can make you feel unhappy and dissatisfied with your current situation. My goal is to help you gain the confidence to take purposeful steps towards your goals while staying true to your values. I can help you to navigate work-life balance, improve communication skills, and set boundaries that promote healthy relationships. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you feel comfortable to explore areas that may be causing distress or difficulty.

As an Asian woman who has straddled two cultures for many years, I have a deep understanding of the struggles Asian women and men face in relationships, family life, and the workplace. I also know that our unique cultural history and cultural norms can present so many obstacles to healing emotional injuries and finding emotional health. If you are feeling lonely and isolated, anxious and guilty, inadequate, overwhelmed, conflicted, or depressed, I understand. And I have the experience to help you find concrete, practical solutions to these emotional challenges, yielding timely results. I am fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

My therapeutic intention is to cultivate a collaborative space to foster personal growth, healing and self-awareness. You will feel supported each step of the way as we navigate emotional distress, negative beliefs, trauma, relationship problems, work stress or any other issues keeping you feeling lost, stuck or disconnected. We’ll explore tools to promote emotional resilience, process unresolved traumas and experience a more grounded and empowered sense of self. Because therapy is not a one size fits all experience, sessions and treatment goals are tailored to meet your specific needs and desires for positive growth and change.

I am a specialist in grief, loss and trauma encompassing the entire spectrum of women 's maternal mental health. I help women (and their partners) with healthy pregnancies, postpartum depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss, terminations and infertility - whether through stillbirth, miscarriage, late term loss, IVF/IUI failures, selective termination or pregnancy releases (aka abortion). Sadly, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage and 1 in 8 will have trouble with conception. I blend psychology, ritual, spirituality, reiki, energy healing, guided meditations and more to help facilitate and support women , couples and families.

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.