Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I am passionate about helping others find/improve their wellbeing. My goal is to provide support in a time of difficulty or transition. I have worked in the medical field (UCLA, DaVita) & community non profits, which has given me the opportunity to work with clients of many different backgrounds. My passion is working with older adults.

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.

Feeling Stressed and overwhelmed? Do you desire more balance and peace of mind in your life? I enjoy helping clients recenter & learn emotional regulation tools to help support them in their fast paced lives. I have experience working with: Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Bipolar, life stress, goal setting, marital/relationship challenges, low self-esteem, Trauma/PTSD, codependency, sexual concerns, panic, weight loss & addictions. I have worked with both children and adults specializing in neuropsychology. I am a certified clinical hypnotherapist and specialize in sex and couples therapy. I am also a certified Advanced Tantra Educator.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. My practice focuses on trauma, addiction & recovery, eating disorders, life transitions, and relationships. I work with women and men although primarily with women and mothers. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I have been practicing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for several years with an emphasis on treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. I trained as a KAP therapist at the Ketamine Training Center in San Rafael, California with Phil Wolfson and his team. I also studied under the direction of Jeffrey Beck, MD.

Many people shy away from asking for help when in emotional and psychological pain. It is not easy to ask for help. Perhaps there are feelings of shame underlying the recognition of one's vulnerability. But in essence these are the times that important and life-altering changes can occur. I am invested in establishing a safe, supportive, and truthful interaction with you towards improving your life, your choices, and your relationships, & have over 25 years of experience as proof. The concerns that I have worked with extensively include depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, substance-abuse, adjustment, crisis intervention, & individuation.

I have worked for more than twenty years with individuals and couples. I see patients who are depressed and anxious unable to enjoy their lives. I also work with people who suffer the aftermath of traumatic life events ( e.g., childhood neglect and abuse, and loss of significant others). I work with people who are experiencing major life changes, like women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer who need a safe place to explore options, and the meaning of a life that has changed.

I work with adult individuals, adolescents, couples and families to help you cope with not only life's daily struggles, but also provide support for crisis, traumas, challenging life transitions and relationship issues. I combine narrative and somatic therapies, as well as EMDR (trauma work), to help you decrease anxiety and depression, manage stress, cope with challenges and enhance your creativity and productivity. My approach is very conversational, interactive and solution- based. In contrast to heavy analysis, I strive to uncover and cultivate my client's strengths, abilities and values to help them overcome their problems.

Generally, I treat groups, couples, and individuals--21 years of age or older. I am best suited to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar, alcohol/drug issues, personality disorders, anger, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorders, grief/loss, employment difficulties, military/veterans, spiritual issues, and relationship problems.

With so many different kinds of therapists and therapy styles, finding the right therapist can feel like a daunting task. I believe the most important factor in finding the right therapist is what we call the "fit" - how comfortable and understood you feel when sitting with a therapist. I offer an initial consultation to see what it would be like for us to work together. If you decide to keep looking, there is no charge for this session.

"YOUR VISION WILL BECOME CLEAR WHEN YOU LOOK INTO YOUR HEART. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens." Carl Jung. As a therapist, I am here to support each individual define his or her vision and life's purpose. When one feels stuck, sometimes the idea of change or transition can seem overwhelming. Issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship distress, loneliness and low-self esteem can be an indicator that a shift is imminent. I am here to provide gentle guidance, by providing a safe, warm and compassionate space to explore these issues.

My clients like me because I am a very active therapist. You will not just get a "How does that make you feel?" question. Of course I want to know how something makes you feel, but I want for you to be able to get some answers and treatment that leads to a real change in your life. My website at Crystalnash.com states "Therapy can be intense, but it doesn't have to be drudgery. There is laughter through the tears, when we recognize our human frailty. The "Ah ha! Eureka!" moments give energy and hope for the future."

"The greatest thing you can do in life is to overcome your insecurities and fears" Mahatma Gandhi. It is common for us to feel stuck in areas of our life that are not working. The primary task of psychotherapy, is to offer a different perspective in order to gain a deep level of self awareness. This awareness can challenge existing patterns that are no longer serving us. Together, we will explore areas in your life where you feel stuck/trapped, difficulty in relationships, unresolved early childhood issues and life transitions.

Our experiences shape us and how we look at the world. Often times they give us a sense of strength and direction in our lives, but other times we are confronted with obstacles that keep us from reaching our goals. Together we can explore these obstacles and create a better understanding of how you can work through them, leading to more satisfying experiences and more confidence in your direction in life.

Feeling stuck in familiar self defeating patterns? I can help uncover unconscious habits or behaviors that keep you anxious and depressed. Through active listening, interactive exercises, my direct approach helps you encounter hidden parts of yourself, enabling you to integrate these into one whole, thriving person with greater capacity to live and love completely. With extensive background in Western Psychology and Eastern practices I treat the whole being which leads to deeper awareness, changes in behavior and more satisfying relationships with others. Nothing changes if you don't take action. The journey begins with you.

Do you feel anxious, sad, worried, overwhelmed, or stressed? Do you have difficulty coping with life challenges? Do you find getting through the day to day activities of life more strenuous lately? It can be isolating to not only feel painful emotions, but difficult to relate to those in our lives when we’re not feeling like ourselves, leaving us feeling more alone. That’s where therapy can help. I’m a therapist who listens, seeks to understand your experience, and supports you with tools to help you feel better. I’m a CBT Certified Beck Clinician and EMDR trained; two well-researched modalities with proven results.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself, from life, and from others? Panic, anxiety, depression, confusion, loss, overwhelm, numbness-- these can feel like powerful forces separating you from the vibrant and productive life you imagine is possible. I can help you navigate your path to emotional balance, cognitive clarity, joyful energy, and sense of purpose. Together, we can face the distress and restore your inner life in a way that brings you home to your Self.

If you don't feel satisfied with your life then why not figure what would make you happy. You may not know what's missing or how to feel better, and that is where therapy is an amazing opportunity. I want to help you discover yourself, embrace your uniqueness, and appreciate why and how you do the things you do. In our work together we will explore your past and help make connections that will allow you to feel more autonomy and control in your life. We will uncover passions and embrace your skills and strengths as a person.

Are you or someone you love struggling with substance use? Are you experiencing or witnessing a loved one lose their potential because they have setbacks? Have you been in and out of treatment, and nothing seems to change? I may be able to help if you are feeling disempowered by your drug of choice. I have extensive experience and training in addiction, allowing me to have a realistic approach to addiction treatment when battling such a beast. Addiction is rarely a stand-alone problem. Individuals often struggle w/ co-occurring disorders such as depression & anxiety. If left untreated, the need for immediate relief will prevail.

Therapy is a wonderful opportunity to explore habituated patterns as well as the stories we tell ourselves. We all have a choice in how we make meaning in our lives, and I believe that with a compassionate exploration of one's inner life comes the ability to find more wonder and joy and connection in our daily life.