Pacific Islander Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

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.

I am happy you are here! Lotus flowers bloom after traversing through thick layers of mud. My goal is to help you understand blockages in your life holding you back from living an authentic and full life, help you make sense and create meaning from your experiences that propel you forward with purpose! My clients face anxiety/depression, life/career transitions, complex family/relationship dynamics, trauma related to dysfunctional dynamics present across family/professional/social/intimate relationships, families navigating divorce, individuals healing from narcissistic abuse, and parents looking to improve their parenting skills.

Ready to prioritize your mental health and well-being? Let's do this! As a therapist (and a human being), I get that life can be overwhelming. Whether it's battling anxiety, depression, surviving tough times, or just trying to figure out what the heck you're doing in life—I'm here to support you. I work with clients who have a desire to be their authentic self, navigating life transitions, struggle with setting healthy boundaries, or may be feeling like something is “missing” in their life. My clients share that I have been a positive support in helping them work through their challenges, in addition to creating a life they desire.

Dr. Anna Selena Cho, was born in Los Angeles and has personal experience living bi-culturally. Dr. Cho was traditionally trained in visual arts in her early developmental years and eventually obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy at Phillips Graduate University, and her Doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Cho has developed programs with organizations wanting to further expand their learning standards towards socio-emotional integration.

Are you a child, adolescent or adult having difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships? Sometimes a history of trauma, self defeating and limiting belief systems interfere with our ability to love, work and play. I can help when old ways of adapting to stressors no longer work. Change is necessary at the mind, body and spiritual level for adaptation to occur. We will work together through your transformation. You can learn new ways to tolerate what has been overwhelming and you can develop new, healthier coping skills to help you manage what was formerly intolerable about daily living.

Our sexuality is at the core of who we are as humans, and where we came from – it is our life force. It’s also at the core of our own identity. So many of us are searching for who we truly are. We’re so encapsulated in who we should be being for others, that we end up losing ourselves. This shows up most frequently in intimate relationships. Our desire for unconditional love from another supersedes our need for physical connection. Emotion trumps sexuality. And what goes on within our mind shuts down the abilities of our body. Are you feeling lost in your relationship? Do you desire more sexually?

Do you find yourself shut down or suppress your feelings? Do you struggle in relationships due to your trauma? Are you unsure of where you belong? I work with people of all identities to process unresolved feelings due to trauma. I strive to provide you a safe and non-judgmental space, in order for you to develop coping mechanisms for trauma symptoms (anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.) and to explore aspects of yourself. I can help you let go of past HURTS and develop tools to find RELIEF.

My approach is active and conversational. I offer feedback and collaborate with my clients on setting goals. I want to help empower people to navigate change. I am passionate about using innovative techniques to treat anxiety and trauma including EMDR. I have received specialized training in sex and couples therapy in order to offer people a specific approach to communicating. I enjoy working with individuals and couples helping them to overcome relationship issues as well as sexual issues that may be affecting their quality of life. I have over 10 years experience as a therapist and love the work that I do.

Individuals in conflict with a family member or relationship partner (intimate, work, social) may feel stuck in a no-win situation. If communicating about the problem is THE PROBLEM, neutral and collaborative, Effective mediation can help. By involving all participants in a positive process, acknowledging and equalizing communication of needs and concerns, and building the solutions from and for every person involved, listening with determined curiosity helps clients find mutually-acceptable peaceful solutions.

I’m a psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My approach is modern holistic psychotherapy. I have sought out and learned the latest neuroscience informed therapies. And have been trained by the world’s top holistic practitioners, life coaches, and mindfulness experts. Though I can’t claim to have invented any of these techniques, I have combined them in my own unique way and am sharing it with people so they can win. When people win, it’s helping the community win. To me that is what it is all about.

Are you a driven person yet having difficulties managing your relationships, work stress, and family life? Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Do you need help getting through a traumatic event? Are you feeling like you’ve exhausted all your coping skills and nothing seems to work? From a trauma informed and attachment-based lens we will explore your core issues and help you improve your mental health and emotional well-being. You can heal from past trauma, learn to regulate your emotions, lift your mood, and communicate effectively. Together we'll work through unresolved feelings and patterns to live a more authentic life now.

Sometimes it can be really challenging to make time for ourselves and for our mental health. For some of us, it's even more difficult when our identities and culture held no space for our feelings or emotions. We may have had to put up with crossed boundaries, invalidated feelings, unrealistic expectations, and conditional love that depended on how much we have accomplished. Those difficult and maybe even traumatic experiences that we, and our families, have lived through may have been written off as "this is just how things are." Although we may want to rest and pause, we instead might begin to feel shame or guilt for doing so.

Dr. Robert Frashure is a licensed clinical psychologist with a particular specialty in working with creative professionals, writers, and artists. With a BA from Harvard College and an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts, he has deep experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals, trauma, and parenting. His therapy sessions are a warm, engaging, and creative experience.

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.

Imagine the freedom of living without constant worry and anxiety. As an Asian American therapist, I offer culturally responsive care addressing intergenerational trauma, stress and depression. Together we'll work towards unlocking your unmet needs, discover purpose and restore balance back into your life. Do you find yourself lost in responsibilities for others; whether its your partner, work, family, church or even your child? This can lead to a loss of self and identity, overwhelm, low self-esteem, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. Hardship and pain can often feel lonely, but you don't have to face these challenges alone.