Lesbian Therapists in Santa Monica, CA
At Counseling Services/LA Peace of Mind.com, we guide people to the light and empower themselves to heal. We help people who seek trust and freedom to be expressive, address life challenges, and barriers that interfere with growth and achieving life's goals.
At Counseling Services/LA Peace of Mind.com, we guide people to the light and empower themselves to heal. We help people who seek trust and freedom to be expressive, address life challenges, and barriers that interfere with growth and achieving life's goals.
You’re thoughtful, sensitive, and often highly creative. From the outside, you may look steady or successful, yet inside you’re carrying a lot - relationship strain, identity shifts, major transitions, or a quiet sense that something isn’t fully aligned. You may be navigating life within the LGBTQIA+ community, exploring nontraditional relationship structures, or simply wanting a space where your full identity is understood. You’re not looking for surface-level coping. You want depth, insight, and room to be fully yourself.
You’re thoughtful, sensitive, and often highly creative. From the outside, you may look steady or successful, yet inside you’re carrying a lot - relationship strain, identity shifts, major transitions, or a quiet sense that something isn’t fully aligned. You may be navigating life within the LGBTQIA+ community, exploring nontraditional relationship structures, or simply wanting a space where your full identity is understood. You’re not looking for surface-level coping. You want depth, insight, and room to be fully yourself.
High-achieving professionals—lawyers, executives, and entrepreneurs—often feel overwhelmed despite their success. You're all-in at work, but everything else is suffering: strained relationships, health problems, sleep disruption. To make things worse, old coping strategies no longer work. You want to feel more in control, build stronger connections, recover from burnout, and find sustainability in your busy life. I help ambitious individuals process trauma, manage anxiety, and create fulfilling relationships. Together, we’ll find clarity, peace, and a way forward that aligns with the life you want.
High-achieving professionals—lawyers, executives, and entrepreneurs—often feel overwhelmed despite their success. You're all-in at work, but everything else is suffering: strained relationships, health problems, sleep disruption. To make things worse, old coping strategies no longer work. You want to feel more in control, build stronger connections, recover from burnout, and find sustainability in your busy life. I help ambitious individuals process trauma, manage anxiety, and create fulfilling relationships. Together, we’ll find clarity, peace, and a way forward that aligns with the life you want.
Illuminate Child & Adolescent Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, RPT™
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
Your child is a source of light. But perhaps you've noticed their light has dimmed recently and you feel concerned. Perhaps your teen is falling behind in school, having difficulty connecting with their friends, or experiencing confusion as they explore their gender identity. Your young child may be having anger outbursts or challenges with their behavior at home. Adjusting to the post-COVID lifestyle might be causing ongoing worries and changes in mood or personality. Or your child might have experienced a major stressor like divorce, a death in the family, or even a traumatic event like a car accident or an act of violence.
Your child is a source of light. But perhaps you've noticed their light has dimmed recently and you feel concerned. Perhaps your teen is falling behind in school, having difficulty connecting with their friends, or experiencing confusion as they explore their gender identity. Your young child may be having anger outbursts or challenges with their behavior at home. Adjusting to the post-COVID lifestyle might be causing ongoing worries and changes in mood or personality. Or your child might have experienced a major stressor like divorce, a death in the family, or even a traumatic event like a car accident or an act of violence.
My approach is based on my belief that we have the power to create healthy emotions & dismantle unwanted emotions. When meeting with you, I'll want to understand how your ongoing circumstances, emotions, behaviors, or thoughts impact the short term as well as the overall outcomes in your life. I base my treatment on evidenced-based inventions, eastern & wellness perspectives, and a conscious awareness approach. Compared to many other psychologists, my therapy style may be more goal oriented, assertive, and with a stronger focus on observing and measuring therapeutic progress over longer term emotional processing.
My approach is based on my belief that we have the power to create healthy emotions & dismantle unwanted emotions. When meeting with you, I'll want to understand how your ongoing circumstances, emotions, behaviors, or thoughts impact the short term as well as the overall outcomes in your life. I base my treatment on evidenced-based inventions, eastern & wellness perspectives, and a conscious awareness approach. Compared to many other psychologists, my therapy style may be more goal oriented, assertive, and with a stronger focus on observing and measuring therapeutic progress over longer term emotional processing.
Hello! You may not know me, but I am very much looking forward to getting to know you. I approach my work through a strengths-based and trauma-informed lens. I tend to work with issues of identity; relational, family, and intergenerational complexity; LGBTIQ, gender and sexual diversity; kink; trauma, abuse, and C-PTSD; grief, spirituality, existential questions, meaning-making; men’s issues, and the many ways people experience and relate to their bodies. As a side note, I’m also a hospice chaplain and ordained clergyperson with an MDiv. If you wanted to bring faith or spirituality into our conversations, that's entirely up to you.
Hello! You may not know me, but I am very much looking forward to getting to know you. I approach my work through a strengths-based and trauma-informed lens. I tend to work with issues of identity; relational, family, and intergenerational complexity; LGBTIQ, gender and sexual diversity; kink; trauma, abuse, and C-PTSD; grief, spirituality, existential questions, meaning-making; men’s issues, and the many ways people experience and relate to their bodies. As a side note, I’m also a hospice chaplain and ordained clergyperson with an MDiv. If you wanted to bring faith or spirituality into our conversations, that's entirely up to you.
Concierge Therapy • EMDR • Somatic • Aha Moments • Clarity & Relief •
Sessions with me don’t feel like traditional therapy sessions. They're honest conversations about real life. We focus on what actually matters, cut through the noise, and work toward outcomes you can see, feel, and measure.
You’ll leave sessions more confident and better equipped to handle what brought you here. The work is purposeful, the expectations are real, and progress is celebrated. And while we take your goals seriously, life is far too short to take ourselves too seriously. Laughter is part of the process. So is momentum. Expect both.
Concierge Therapy • EMDR • Somatic • Aha Moments • Clarity & Relief •
Sessions with me don’t feel like traditional therapy sessions. They're honest conversations about real life. We focus on what actually matters, cut through the noise, and work toward outcomes you can see, feel, and measure.
You’ll leave sessions more confident and better equipped to handle what brought you here. The work is purposeful, the expectations are real, and progress is celebrated. And while we take your goals seriously, life is far too short to take ourselves too seriously. Laughter is part of the process. So is momentum. Expect both.
Navigating the twists and turns of life can be slow and taxing. We find ourselves adrift in a sea of should's and should-nots, unsure of how to act, feel, love, or simply be. Society often imposes its expectations upon us, creating a disconnection from our true selves and from others. These pressures can lead to a relentless pursuit of perfection that leaves us feeling inadequate and exhausted. Together, we can foster a strong sense of self-compassion, appreciate the genuine beauty of your personal growth, and letting it unfold naturally.
Navigating the twists and turns of life can be slow and taxing. We find ourselves adrift in a sea of should's and should-nots, unsure of how to act, feel, love, or simply be. Society often imposes its expectations upon us, creating a disconnection from our true selves and from others. These pressures can lead to a relentless pursuit of perfection that leaves us feeling inadequate and exhausted. Together, we can foster a strong sense of self-compassion, appreciate the genuine beauty of your personal growth, and letting it unfold naturally.
I help high-performers overcome the complex stressors of their professional and personal lives using cognitive behavioral therapies, sport psychology, and holistic mind-body interventions. I collaborate with clients to help them anxiety, life transitions, family or relationship conflict, grief, and trauma, all of which shows up for them at work or in life in unexpected ways. They are seeking insight on thinking, beliefs, or feelings that keep them stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, and want to develop new tools for managing emotions, healthy communication and boundaries, and for moving forward on self-identified goals.
I help high-performers overcome the complex stressors of their professional and personal lives using cognitive behavioral therapies, sport psychology, and holistic mind-body interventions. I collaborate with clients to help them anxiety, life transitions, family or relationship conflict, grief, and trauma, all of which shows up for them at work or in life in unexpected ways. They are seeking insight on thinking, beliefs, or feelings that keep them stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, and want to develop new tools for managing emotions, healthy communication and boundaries, and for moving forward on self-identified goals.
For those holding trauma, grief, or the complexities of relationship, and for those longing to return to themselves outside of their patterns shaped by survival, there is steadiness and hope here. Together, we deeply listen, soften, and foster connections to self and others that feel grounded, authentic, and sustaining.
For those holding trauma, grief, or the complexities of relationship, and for those longing to return to themselves outside of their patterns shaped by survival, there is steadiness and hope here. Together, we deeply listen, soften, and foster connections to self and others that feel grounded, authentic, and sustaining.
You might’ve considered therapy for a while, or are seeking a new therapist for a new life chapter. You may be feeling overwhelmed, unable to relax, or even buried underneath your life and are wondering how you ended up here. Maybe it started at a certain workplace, a school, a move, a relationship change, a loss, or when you developed a condition. Or maybe it started earlier in life. This may sound especially familiar to those who are: LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, have chronic conditions, disability, first-gen, working in/retiring from tech, entertainment, or finance.
You might’ve considered therapy for a while, or are seeking a new therapist for a new life chapter. You may be feeling overwhelmed, unable to relax, or even buried underneath your life and are wondering how you ended up here. Maybe it started at a certain workplace, a school, a move, a relationship change, a loss, or when you developed a condition. Or maybe it started earlier in life. This may sound especially familiar to those who are: LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, have chronic conditions, disability, first-gen, working in/retiring from tech, entertainment, or finance.
Hedwig Aerts: LGBTQ+, ADHD,
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, MS
7 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
I believe that healing happens in relationship and growth begins with simple curiosity. We grow in the direction that we inquire about, and I strive to create a space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Whether you're healing from trauma, managing anxiety or depression, navigating the complexities of ADHD, or transitioning into a new chapter of life, or simply seeking deeper connection in your relationships, the journey starts with fostering radical acceptance of where we are. Together, we will identify constraints and build on your strengths to allow your unique vitality and purpose to unfold.
I believe that healing happens in relationship and growth begins with simple curiosity. We grow in the direction that we inquire about, and I strive to create a space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Whether you're healing from trauma, managing anxiety or depression, navigating the complexities of ADHD, or transitioning into a new chapter of life, or simply seeking deeper connection in your relationships, the journey starts with fostering radical acceptance of where we are. Together, we will identify constraints and build on your strengths to allow your unique vitality and purpose to unfold.
I believe healing requires a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of the human experience. I am interested in understanding the many layers that shape one’s beliefs and personal stories, striving to understand the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Developing inner trust and self-acceptance is a vital part of the therapeutic process. I hope to encourage and guide clients to listen to their innate wisdom and collaborate with them in their journey to reconnect with the most authentic version of themselves.
I believe healing requires a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of the human experience. I am interested in understanding the many layers that shape one’s beliefs and personal stories, striving to understand the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Developing inner trust and self-acceptance is a vital part of the therapeutic process. I hope to encourage and guide clients to listen to their innate wisdom and collaborate with them in their journey to reconnect with the most authentic version of themselves.
Therapy offers far more than a ‘way to cope’ with anxiety, fear, or constant overthinking. It provides a space to recognize patterns, challenge what's no longer serving you, and start moving forward on your own terms. In our sessions, we'll develop short and long-term goals, realign actions with your core values, and help you reconnect with the version of yourself that feels most grounded and true. Meaningful therapy is founded upon genuine trust and connection. You bring your lived experience, I bring tools and perspective.
Therapy offers far more than a ‘way to cope’ with anxiety, fear, or constant overthinking. It provides a space to recognize patterns, challenge what's no longer serving you, and start moving forward on your own terms. In our sessions, we'll develop short and long-term goals, realign actions with your core values, and help you reconnect with the version of yourself that feels most grounded and true. Meaningful therapy is founded upon genuine trust and connection. You bring your lived experience, I bring tools and perspective.
Many of the people I work with are ambitious, productive, and used to handling things on their own. At some point, substance use, compulsions, or anxiety begin to interfere with their health, relationships, or ability to keep things on track. If you're looking for something more private, individualized and focused than support groups, but aren't suited for inpatient care, you're in the right place. I intentionally limit the size of my practice, staying directly involved and responsive to your needs. I work with individuals, couples and families, to focus on what is practical, discreet, and workable in real life.
Many of the people I work with are ambitious, productive, and used to handling things on their own. At some point, substance use, compulsions, or anxiety begin to interfere with their health, relationships, or ability to keep things on track. If you're looking for something more private, individualized and focused than support groups, but aren't suited for inpatient care, you're in the right place. I intentionally limit the size of my practice, staying directly involved and responsive to your needs. I work with individuals, couples and families, to focus on what is practical, discreet, and workable in real life.
My approach is integrative, relational, and humanistic, with collaboration at its core. I am intentional in aligning with the unique needs, goals, and interests of each client. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and work to cultivate trust and safety so that healing can unfold.
My approach is integrative, relational, and humanistic, with collaboration at its core. I am intentional in aligning with the unique needs, goals, and interests of each client. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and work to cultivate trust and safety so that healing can unfold.
My approach is integrative, relational, and humanistic, with collaboration at its core. I am intentional in aligning with the unique needs, goals, and interests of each client. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and work to cultivate trust and safety so that healing can unfold.
My approach is integrative, relational, and humanistic, with collaboration at its core. I am intentional in aligning with the unique needs, goals, and interests of each client. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and work to cultivate trust and safety so that healing can unfold.
Are you looking to make a change in your life? Are you wanting more but don’t know how to get there? Are you struggling with substances, trying to build a life of recovery? Are you a student or former athlete struggling with performance anxiety, burnout, returning after an injury or identity issues? Together we will work to navigate these issues and create a life that is not just manageable but a life that you are excited to get up to live every day!
Are you looking to make a change in your life? Are you wanting more but don’t know how to get there? Are you struggling with substances, trying to build a life of recovery? Are you a student or former athlete struggling with performance anxiety, burnout, returning after an injury or identity issues? Together we will work to navigate these issues and create a life that is not just manageable but a life that you are excited to get up to live every day!
If you’re struggling with OCD, panic, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or related concerns, you don’t have to face it alone. Anxiety and OCD have a way of latching onto the things we value most, often leading us to avoid the people, places, activities, and experiences that make life meaningful. Over time, this can leave you feeling stuck, isolated, and disconnected from the life you want to live. My goal is to help you break that cycle so you can move toward what’s important to you—not away from it.
If you’re struggling with OCD, panic, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or related concerns, you don’t have to face it alone. Anxiety and OCD have a way of latching onto the things we value most, often leading us to avoid the people, places, activities, and experiences that make life meaningful. Over time, this can leave you feeling stuck, isolated, and disconnected from the life you want to live. My goal is to help you break that cycle so you can move toward what’s important to you—not away from it.
Teens, college students, and young adults who often appear high-functioning externally but feel overwhelmed internally. Many struggle with anxiety, overthinking, identity confusion, or intense emotions in relationships. They may feel pressure to hold everything together while privately feeling uncertain about who they are or how to navigate what they’re experiencing. I also support parents seeking clarity around emotional or behavioral shifts in their adolescent or young adult child.
Teens, college students, and young adults who often appear high-functioning externally but feel overwhelmed internally. Many struggle with anxiety, overthinking, identity confusion, or intense emotions in relationships. They may feel pressure to hold everything together while privately feeling uncertain about who they are or how to navigate what they’re experiencing. I also support parents seeking clarity around emotional or behavioral shifts in their adolescent or young adult child.
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Nearby Lesbian Therapists Searches for Santa Monica
- Baldwin Hills
- Beverly Hills
- Century City
- Culver City
- El Segundo
- Marina Del Rey
- Pacific Palisades
- Playa Del Rey
- Venice
- West Hollywood
- West Los Angeles
- Westchester