Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I offer a soft place to land in what can be a confusing world. I'll invite you to slow down, tune in, and explore your quieter and wiser self. It is human to struggle because, let's face it--life is tough. Feeling overwhelmed, trapped, fearful, angry, and sad is par for the course and the result of living in a fast-paced, stressful environment. This reality coupled with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loss, trauma, and/or addiction can sap our resources. We can end up loosing sight of what is important to us and feel a dampening of our spirit.

Feeling stuck? I am so glad you landed on my page. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you shift to feeling more empowered and on a positive path of growth and authenticity! As a person-centered therapist, my goal is to understand your life struggles and be a guide to help you in your path to self discovery. I am dedicated to being an empathetic witness to your healing and provide you a safe space for that to take place. My belief is that therapy can help the healing process, whether you are dealing with transition of life issues, trauma, depression, family issues, or just having a bad day.

I use a natural sense of curiosity to learn more about a client and to guide them through their personal journeys and desires for therapy. I aim to see a client in the full sense and hope to address some of what they might perceive as obstacles in striving to live a more fulfilling life. Please contact me at yonat@yonatswimmer.com to initiate conversation.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I will collaborate with you in developing problem-solving skills to enhance the coping strategies that will help you deal with depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and other anxiety-producing experiences. I focus on understanding your symptoms within the context of your interpersonal relationships.

Are you struggling with difficult family dynamics, anxiety, or codependent relationships? I am passionate about creating a safe, warm, and culturally humble environment for individuals and couples to explore their unique life shaping experiences and be their authentic selves. As a first-generation Mexican-American, I understand the need to develop effective communication skills to work through intergenerational conflicts and acculturation differences in order to build healthy relationships and improve family dynamics. I have had success working within the queer BIPOC community as well as with children of immigrants.

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.

My work centers around depth psychology and mindfulness, which means I look beneath the surface and at the deeper patterns in one's life. I believe psychotherapy is about integrating and bringing to consciousness parts of ourselves that have been left behind or ignored. I see psychotherapy as a journey to move forward in life. I help clients gain an understanding of who they are, how life experiences shape patterns that govern their lives, and provide them with practical tools to change those patterns.

The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed -C.G. Jung. As a psychotherapist, I aim to be a compassionate guide to help my clients make meaning of these conflicts, struggles, and life experiences, to create a healthier and more balanced mind, body and soul.

I work with clients struggling with severe trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety and a variety of life challenges. I have seen many learn to sleep deeply, break free of repetitive worrying thoughts, get excited about life and increase their health and energy. I feel honored that people share their stories with me and have found that no situation is ever without hope. Life can be so much better. If you choose to share with me, we will find a way together.

My goal is to help people find successful solutions to difficulties they are encountering. I believe that quality of life and relationships can be improved with intention, attention, and action.

We seek therapy when we feel stuck. When bumps in the road have caused us to become trapped in ways of thinking, feeling, or being that keep us from reaching our goals in life. Worries and negative thoughts fill our heads and cause us to feel that we are incapable of succeeding. We lose sight of experiencing any other way of being – of living without the anxiety, sadness, grief, loneliness, or stress.

So many of us come to therapy because we are hurting. Whether this hurt manifests as relationship issues, addiction, anxiety, depression, or stress about world events, I love helping people discover their inner strengths by healing the parts inside that hurt. Wounds from the past, coupled with internal conflict and judgements about self and others stifle one's ability to grow and change. By compassionately healing these wounds and releasing judgments we quite naturally feel more whole, connected, and joyful! In this space we are free to create the life we want.

Marlu Harris offers loving support, kindness, guidance and education. Licensed for 28 years, Marlu provides mindful psychotherapy to help people move through pain to self-love by assisting them in healing their emotional wounds while providing tools for self-help. She specializes in working with young adults who are carving out their identities as they separate from their family of origin, concentrating on creativity and identity, both spiritual and career development through bibliotherapy (reading) and journaling (writing) for those interested in expanding into the best version of themselves.

Therapy is a process and a relationship which is deeply personal and holistic. I create a safe, confidential, trusted, collaborative and creative space to move toward your personal and relational goals and potential. I offer EMDR to address trauma, resiliency and attachment, and the latest neuroscience knowledge, coupled with body and mindfulness practices. In session, we focus on your unique history, relationships, beliefs, strengths, goals, trauma, dreams and values. We uncover blocks to freedom, expression, and relationships to move toward the goals and vision you wish for yourself, to enable your fullest aliveness.

The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud. What is your personal mud? My goal is to help you with deep self-exploration while developing ways to navigate and bloom through the mud in your life. My diverse, expansive training allows me the opportunity to authentically meet my clients and support them in their therapeutic journey using an integrative, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach. Whether it be related to difficult emotions like anxiety and depression, nuances of grief and trauma, debilitating existential crises and illness, or personal and professional relationship challenges.

"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.

Change is possible and I believe therapy is a place where you can explore the challenges and achievements that make our lives feel more fulfilled. My approach to therapy is one of empathy, collaboration and practicality. I like to make therapy fun, engaging, and a safe place for you to comfortably explore your emotions and learn new healthy coping skills to support your growth. I have a passion for helping others achieve more fulfillment and balance in their lives. My goal is to provide a safe space to explore feelings that may contribute to ongoing difficulties, re-process experiences, and ultimately co-create your next chapter.

I help clients learn how to manage chronic pain without daily pain medications and to help clients with sleep disorders (all types) learn to sleep deeply and wake rested without sleeping pills. I also help clients with complex medical diagnoses to develop wellness programs. I have been the Director of four chronic pain program. I have been providing Behavioral Sleep Medicine therapy or the UCLA Sleep Medicine Programs for 16 years. My approach to correcting sleep disorders encompasses neurocognitive self-regulation, mindfulness, breathing training, mind control to stop mind racing,sleep education and classic CBT for insomnia.

Are you struggling to find the motivation or focus to get through daily tasks? Do you feel like you are going through life alone or unsure about who you are? Or do you simply just need someone to listen and talk to? If so, I am here to help you. I specialize in working with young adults, and adults with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, as well as couples trying to improve their overall relationship and communication with one another. I also provide therapy for grief/loss, relationship issues, and self-acceptance.