Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

What would it look like to live your life optimally? What would be the character of your relationships, your career, your daily life? Within a caring and shame-free environment I will provide you with a safe place to share not only your troubles, but more importantly, your hopes dreams and wishes. I am well versed in issues surrounding open relationships and polyamory.

A Warm Welcome & Hello! Finding the right therapist involves that certain combo of chemistry & expertise. If you’re looking to expand your consciousness, you’re in the right place. What I do is more than talk therapy. It’s more holistic & innovative and blends elements from all the things that helped me personally - EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Eastern Philosophy, Spirituality.

My intention is to create a powerful container where you feel safe, seen, heard, and understood. Through a trauma-informed, compassion-focused approach, we will comprehensively examine your life, symptoms, behaviors, and ways of thinking in order to develop an understanding of why things are the way they are, and how to ultimately evoke change. I believe that difficult life experiences can cause us to fragment and disconnect from our true selves. Together we will work on restoring wholeness and reestablishing that connection.

The clients that feel best served by my care are clients who are either motivated for, or contemplating, change in their life. These clients are curious about their personal patterns of behavior, exploring their past and present experiences, and are striving for a deeply fulfilling life. I serve clients who are experiencing the impact of trauma, depression and/or anxiety, identity changes (marriage, divorce, sobriety, parenthood, graduation, etc.), grief and loss, and perinatal mood disorders (perinatal anxiety and/or depression).

Everyone's lives have been deeply impacted by the current Covid-19 outbreak. The sudden loss of income and the mandatory quarantine have left many people feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Although times of crisis are extremely challenging, they also provide us with opportunities to witness the profound resiliency of the human spirit and the extraordinary power of simple, genuine human kindness. If you are experiencing overwhelming anxiety or feelings of hopelessness, please remember that you are not alone. We have all been impacted by this crisis, and together we will find ways to help each other through this difficult time.

I work with individuals and couples on a variety of relationship and interpersonal issues. I believe that each of has the innate desire and ability to lead satisfying and fulfilling lives. We are often stuck in old patterns of behavior and relating. Working together we can explore those patterns and how to move beyond them. There are times in our lives when feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness pervade. It is helpful to have a trained professional to discuss these feelings with.

I work with people from all walks of life. Everyone is unique and so each client has a treatment plan that is tailored to their individual needs. People who see me for psychological treatment are often experiencing low mood, anxiety, difficulty relaxing, excessive criticism and low self esteem. Many have experienced a significant loss or a traumatic life event.​ I will help you to better understand how your present responses (emotional, behavioral, emotional and physical) are influenced by your past experiences. Working collaboratively with you, I will facilitate a safe space for you to reflect, process and grow.

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.

At times may experience challenging emotional situations. When these situations arise we can benefit from the support of a person outside of our inner circle of family and friends. Whether you are struggling or you are watching your child struggle, it can take a toll on all aspects of your lives. Everyone can benefit from working with a therapist and feeling heard. No problem is too minor, common, severe, or unusual to be explored and healed.

Life can be tricky, but also a beautiful journey of learning, growing, and experiencing change. You may wish to cope with conflict better, have a hard time resisting temptation, or frequently feel overwhelmed. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be your true self. Through learning and practicing the art of self-compassion, we will work together to help navigate the challenges you're facing. As your emotional tour guide, I can bring awareness to perspectives you may be missing and provide tools that will be forever useful. Clients say that I make sessions fun without sacrificing the hard work that can change your life.

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.

Living with intense and debilitating feelings may leave you with a sense of overwhelm, hopelessness, and anger. You may have conflicts in your relationships, hold resentments, or try your best to manage with unsuccessful ways of coping. Do you have a hard time feeling safe or heard in your relationships, or trusting your intuition? You deserve a safe and supportive relationship to heal the impact of life. I help highly emotional and high conflict persons manage their intense emotional experiences, understand the causes, and learn alternative ways to cope so they can navigate life and relationships with greater satisfaction.

We are a group of pediatric specialists here to support and strengthen your child's mental health. Not only do we love children, we care deeply about providing them with the highest quality mental health care available.

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.

Like water, every individual is unique, whole, and complete. Sometimes we have a hard time acknowledging this and embracing who we are. It is in this place we are asked to go inward and begin to understand the patterns that inhibit our growth. I utilize a blend of therapeutic approaches, meeting clients where they are, by integrating psychodynamic, mindfulness, and experiential therapy to recognize problems relating to grief, bereavement, anxiety, and multiculturalism.

Virtual sessions available at this time via Zoom or phone - currently accepting new patients. My work is trauma-informed and holistic, treating the mind, body, and spirit. With my understanding of the unconscious mind, I am uniquely positioned to help you heal and thrive.

Does it feel like something is off in your life? Maybe you have reached major milestones, or find yourself overachieving, but still question your sense of self and self-worth. Sometimes our past experiences are influencing the way that we relate to ourselves, and others. If you are curious to make those connections, and create new ones, I can help.

You can walk on the beach while you talk with your therapist! I specialize in anxiety and related conditions, including panic attacks, worry, depression, social anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. Feelings of loneliness are often associated with anxiety and depression. As we walk side-by-side on the beach, you may feel that you are, in fact, not alone. Walking in nature can enhance your feelings of joy and connectedness, and together with effective coping skills, can help you develop more resilience toward life’s challenges. Imagine doing all of this work while breathing in fresh air, listening to crashing waves, and walking in the sand!

As a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I embrace success in working with clients by utilizing integrative forms of psychotherapy that harmonize well to their specific needs, motivation, and treatment goals. My active engagement encompasses Emotion Regulation Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness and meditation interventions.