Therapists in Santa Ynez, CA

Feeling stuck, lonely, depressed, anxious, fearful, unfulfilled, or going through a life transition? You're not alone...we all have to face life's challenges! I believe true change & growth require a willingness to take risks. Resiliency & self-trust are strengthened by facing & moving through adversity. Together, we can explore & map out a plan so you can take that leap of faith, try something new, face your fear, or learn to accept the things outside your control. Life can be hard at times...with insight, the right tools, supportive relationships, & a little courage you can get through almost anything & live a fulfilled life!

While SYV Therapy specializes in child therapy, my practice was created with the whole family in mind. Supporting children, and adults, who want to achieve overall wellbeing by actively participating in a fun and low-stress therapeutic environment is my ultimate goal. For children, I work from a child-led play and developmental-based model, for adults I follow a client-centered solution focused philosophy, and for parent-child dyads I approach interventions by taking into consideration attachment and utilize a Child Parent Psychotherapy, FirstPlay, TheraPlay eclectic framework.

I believe that therapy can be a great environment to help you grow as an individual, to mend broken relationships, and to let go of the past that may be holding you back. I believe in creating a strong support system in order to help with the healing process and move forward with your life. In working with children, families and individuals I utilize an eclectic approach with an emphasis in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as I believe thinking, questioning and doing leads to changes needed for growth and recovery.

"This is your life, be the change..." Weathering pain, change and hardship without support can take its toll on our lives. My approach involves supporting people through challenging adjustments and difficult life transitions and guiding them in the pursuit of balance and life satisfaction. I see my role as helping clients with skill building to navigate unexpected life events. I am inspired by the compassion and courage of my clients to share in making lasting changes to ingrained patterns in their lives. My practice has involved working with children, adults and couples, seeing a wide range of clients.

My areas of expertise are in substance use, chemical dependency, co-dependency, addictive behavior and compulsive personalities. For over 20 years I’ve worked with addicts, alcoholics and affected families. I specialize in Trauma resolution, Couple’s therapy and Anxiety reduction.

I am trained in Family Therapy and although not always the case, therapy often moves faster when you are willing to include other family members as a part of therapy at some point. It helps me understand you in the broader context of the people that are important to you or have influence in your life. I have been married for 34 years and have three adult children so my personal experience often informs me, along with my training and the expertise I have gathered being a part of The Family Therapy Institute.

I understand that the first step in seeking help can be overwhelming or even scary. I have a great respect for those who seek to improve their quality of life. My life's work is dedicated to help facilitate that process and help collaborate to create clarity. I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples. I work and have experience with a wide variety of situations and life issues; depression, anxiety, transitions, burnout, relationship dynamics, adoption, and more. Specialties of mine include premarital counseling, young adult/college age concerns & transitions, EMDR, grief & polyam couples.

I have been trained in a unique approach called Process Work, developed by Dr. Arnold Mindell. Process work is a dynamic and transformative approach which uses Jungian psychology, Taoism and physics. It offers new ways of working with problematic or painful experiences. Relationship challenges, physical symptoms, career conflicts and social tensions are approached with curiosity, respect and creativity. In using process work, I believe that the solution to a problem is contained within the disturbance itself; and I provide practical ways through which individuals, couples and groups can connect with a greater awareness.

Are you and/or your partner feeling anxious, frustrated, or angry in your relationship? Do you need help figuring out the problem and how best to resolve it? Do you have a teen experiencing anger, anxiety, or depression? Do you notice differences in his/her mood and that effective communication has decreased? Do you have a child or pre-teen experiencing trouble in school or home? Is ADHD or a social situation causing concern? I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you and/or your family members can express your feelings and concerns and get the help you need.

Whenever people come to see me, I am always impressed by their courage. No matter what the problems are, most everyone enters therapy from a confused and vulnerable space. To do so takes courage. In knowing this, I work to honor their vulnerability and courage. I know that by providing a grounded, attentive, and focused presence to those I work with, trust will occur between us, and we can all be more free to address whatever the pain may be. Without this foundation of trust, I will not be able to effectively help at all.

I work with clients on tools and strategies to help with symptom reduction while we uncover what you need for a deeper level of healing. In a safe, non-judgmental space I can help you identify the thoughts, narratives and distorted core beliefs that cause you suffering, keep you repeating the same patterns and block you from a higher quality of life. With gentleness and compassion we can explore the places you may get triggered and the old wounds that continue to cause fear and pain.

I have been a psychotherapist in Santa Barbara, CA since 1974. My style is varied, incorporating Gestalt therapy, active listening, inner child work, assertiveness training, and guided imagery. Licensed since 1980 as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with couples, regarding issues of healthy sexuality, intimacy, and communication. Individual women and men,working on their sexual self esteem, are some of my favorite clients. For over fifteen years, I have also been leading groups for Adults Molested as Children, as well as their partners. Focus on breath and body is integral to my way of working in session.

Would you like more joy in living, to feel calm, centered and connected to others? Allow me to support you in taking that first step. I specialize in overcoming complex trauma: phobias, PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and reactivity. I have expertise working with survivors of crimes and abuse. I can help you cope with stress, burdens, grief & loss and life transitions in individual, couples or family therapy. I am compassionate and believe that you have all the resources within to achieve a brighter future.

By combining Nutrition/Neurotransmitter balancing with Psychotherapy my approach is a perfect combination for those struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, weight loss, substance abuse and ADD. Supporting brain chemistry while doing therapy makes therapy a solution rather than a band-aid. I use an integrative approach with clients rather than a tunnel-vision approach. If our body and brain are not healthy, our relationships cannot be either.

Are you in a challenging or painful situation? Are you not sure how to resolve your dilemma? Have you turned to your usual sources of information, support, love, and guidance only to discover they are not always available when you need them-or they are no longer working for you? In our work together, we will listen closely to discover the source of your pain, the desires of your heart, and the choices that are in your best interest. I welcome you to contact me to find out if the therapeutic services I offer can meet your particular needs.

Now accepting California couples, families, adults, teens and children (10+) for in-person and telehealth sessions! Have you tried therapy before and felt you kept walking away without tangible tools for change? Are you new to therapy and unsure where to start? Whether your problems feel small or insurmountable, therapy is an excellent way to learn new ways to face any obstacle. Sometimes we're not sure what exactly is wrong but that we just want things to change. In my practice, I provide an honest, compassionate approach that empowers you to become your best self.

I believe that my role as a therapist is to provide safe and effective tools in a supportive environment to help each individual activate their own intuitive healing process. I utilize a variety of evidenced-based approaches in order to support and honor the mind, body and spirit of each individual I work with. As a woman of color who has worked extensively with individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, I pay careful attention to providing culturally responsive care.

Please let me introduce myself to you. I have been a Family Therapist on the Central Coast for nearly three decades, have recently sold my Treatment Centers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo and have moved to Walpole NH I am now focusing my practice in New Hampshire; primarily Individual, Couples Therapy/ relationship enhancement, escalating interpersonal interaction and positive well being. Strategic parenting support for adolescence, young adults and the increasing numbers facing the dilemma and challenge of Senior Citizen care.

Often times in life we are faced with difficulties and personal struggles. I believe counseling is the best place for new found hope and to receive the support and guidance you need to move past your difficulties. I like to think of therapy as a process of self-discovery and personal growth through learning of coping skills and self-reflection. I see my role as a therapist as that of a guide and source of support and knowledge, joining with you to help facilitate the process of developing a deeper sense of self-awareness, personal growth and healing.