Existential Therapists in California
My work is influenced by my training in Humanistic- Existential, Jungian, and Buddhist psychologies.
Even happily anticipated life events can challenge your coping skills, resulting in feelings of overwhelm or confusion. An objective ear and a kind heart may be the support you need to help you regain your footing. I work with both men and women who have endured a difficult pregnancy or childbirth, or whose past may be affecting how they are experiencing pregnancy or parenting. Other areas of focus: Children experiencing grief and loss; Adolescents exploring gender, sexuality, autonomy, and next steps after high school; Helping professionals struggling with self-care; Graduate students balancing academic and personal life.
My work is influenced by my training in Humanistic- Existential, Jungian, and Buddhist psychologies.
Even happily anticipated life events can challenge your coping skills, resulting in feelings of overwhelm or confusion. An objective ear and a kind heart may be the support you need to help you regain your footing. I work with both men and women who have endured a difficult pregnancy or childbirth, or whose past may be affecting how they are experiencing pregnancy or parenting. Other areas of focus: Children experiencing grief and loss; Adolescents exploring gender, sexuality, autonomy, and next steps after high school; Helping professionals struggling with self-care; Graduate students balancing academic and personal life.
I specialize in anxiety and depression due to challenges related to relationship difficulties, life transition, existential crises, and/or identity issues.
Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.
I specialize in anxiety and depression due to challenges related to relationship difficulties, life transition, existential crises, and/or identity issues.
Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.
Jessica L Davis
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94114 (Online Only)
I work with couples and individuals that feel ready to examine their inner world and outer relationships, often feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Clients who wish to explore issues around sense of self, relationships, identity, sexuality, spirituality, psychedelics, or existential questions often resonate with my style. I offer couples and individuals a warm environment that is supportive, collaborative, and direct - offering tools & insights. I am continually expanding my offerings and have additional certifications in the research-based Gottman Method for Couples and a Certified Integrative Sex Therapy for Couples.
I work with couples and individuals that feel ready to examine their inner world and outer relationships, often feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Clients who wish to explore issues around sense of self, relationships, identity, sexuality, spirituality, psychedelics, or existential questions often resonate with my style. I offer couples and individuals a warm environment that is supportive, collaborative, and direct - offering tools & insights. I am continually expanding my offerings and have additional certifications in the research-based Gottman Method for Couples and a Certified Integrative Sex Therapy for Couples.
Cynthia Cerrato
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Los Angeles, CA 90032
I have extensive experience in psychodynamic therapy, trauma informed care, gestalt therapy, mindfulness based therapy, and existential therapy.
As a Woman of Color, I'm very passionate and dedicated towards promoting wellness, healing and recovery. Living in our fast paced world, we often find ourselves feeling empty, depleted, irritable and disconnected. We begin to question life, our existence, and our purpose. My approach is holistic and mindfulness based. I have extensive experience working with diverse communities of color. This has allowed me to understand the mind body connection and how our environments contribute to our dysfunction. I am a bilingual, bi-cultural licensed therapist and graduated from Mt. St. Mary's University.
I have extensive experience in psychodynamic therapy, trauma informed care, gestalt therapy, mindfulness based therapy, and existential therapy.
As a Woman of Color, I'm very passionate and dedicated towards promoting wellness, healing and recovery. Living in our fast paced world, we often find ourselves feeling empty, depleted, irritable and disconnected. We begin to question life, our existence, and our purpose. My approach is holistic and mindfulness based. I have extensive experience working with diverse communities of color. This has allowed me to understand the mind body connection and how our environments contribute to our dysfunction. I am a bilingual, bi-cultural licensed therapist and graduated from Mt. St. Mary's University.
My style of therapy draws from CBT, existential, depth, and person-entered therapy.
I provided therapy for people experiencing depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, difficult life circumstance, challenges with relationships, parent-teen issues, and family challenges. People seeking therapy often need support when learning to tolerate uncertainty in the face of difficult situations. Client's often benefit from emotional support paired with insight to increase mental health. Finally, Clients benefit from effective strategies that help improve or change the relationship with the problem facing them.
My style of therapy draws from CBT, existential, depth, and person-entered therapy.
I provided therapy for people experiencing depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, difficult life circumstance, challenges with relationships, parent-teen issues, and family challenges. People seeking therapy often need support when learning to tolerate uncertainty in the face of difficult situations. Client's often benefit from emotional support paired with insight to increase mental health. Finally, Clients benefit from effective strategies that help improve or change the relationship with the problem facing them.
Jessica Provenza
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, Somatic
Verified Verified
11 Endorsed
Napa, CA 94559
We will talk too! My approach is direct, relational, existential and warm.
I am here to remind you, you are not broken, even if your mind may be suggesting that you are. It is probable that these thoughts are connected to trauma—a way to make sense out of how uncomfortable you feel in your own body. Trauma can impact our health, body, emotions, relationships, perception of self and reality. Somatic Therapy may support you finding some relief in being you. Let's begin to explore and integrate what's causing this pain and psychological suffering without bypassing or minimizing your experiences. Your body has the wisdom to provide the answers. We may need to listen, honor and acknowledge its truth.
We will talk too! My approach is direct, relational, existential and warm.
I am here to remind you, you are not broken, even if your mind may be suggesting that you are. It is probable that these thoughts are connected to trauma—a way to make sense out of how uncomfortable you feel in your own body. Trauma can impact our health, body, emotions, relationships, perception of self and reality. Somatic Therapy may support you finding some relief in being you. Let's begin to explore and integrate what's causing this pain and psychological suffering without bypassing or minimizing your experiences. Your body has the wisdom to provide the answers. We may need to listen, honor and acknowledge its truth.
Bri Spencer
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Online Only)
My specialties include anxiety, addiction, perfectionism, spiritual and religious trauma, and creative industry careers. I'm a psychodynamic, existential, and trauma-aware therapist, trained in EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy. I also do work with IFS (Internal family systems) and dreams.
My specialties include anxiety, addiction, perfectionism, spiritual and religious trauma, and creative industry careers. I'm a psychodynamic, existential, and trauma-aware therapist, trained in EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy. I also do work with IFS (Internal family systems) and dreams.
I specialize in eating disorders, and I have roots in psychodynamic, existential, and mindfulness modalities, paired with CBT techniques.
Whether you have worked with a therapist before, or are seeking services for the first time, the search for therapy can be daunting to say the least. The therapeutic relationship is unlike any other, and requires a specific type of trust and connection. It is my honor to have an opportunity to connect with you, and ultimately aid you in your healing, and I do not take that opportunity lightly. I am enthusiastic about working with folks in all walks of life, and I do no hesitate to practice humility, vulnerability, transparency, and humor in my work to meet you where you are now.
I specialize in eating disorders, and I have roots in psychodynamic, existential, and mindfulness modalities, paired with CBT techniques.
Whether you have worked with a therapist before, or are seeking services for the first time, the search for therapy can be daunting to say the least. The therapeutic relationship is unlike any other, and requires a specific type of trust and connection. It is my honor to have an opportunity to connect with you, and ultimately aid you in your healing, and I do not take that opportunity lightly. I am enthusiastic about working with folks in all walks of life, and I do no hesitate to practice humility, vulnerability, transparency, and humor in my work to meet you where you are now.
I love seeing folks at a turning point in their lives, who want to heal painful beliefs or repeating relational patterns, to find direction and self-love. With modalities of Gestalt awareness, Jungian imaginal discovery, Existential inquiry, psychoeducation and caring exploration, we dive into what wants to be seen. I see clients recover from dysfunctional family systems, addiction, and codependency. We heal past wounds and build self-support for increased choicefulness. I reference 12-step models, having over 20 years experience with them. I respect recovering individuals who often have readiness to do deep therapeutic work.
I love seeing folks at a turning point in their lives, who want to heal painful beliefs or repeating relational patterns, to find direction and self-love. With modalities of Gestalt awareness, Jungian imaginal discovery, Existential inquiry, psychoeducation and caring exploration, we dive into what wants to be seen. I see clients recover from dysfunctional family systems, addiction, and codependency. We heal past wounds and build self-support for increased choicefulness. I reference 12-step models, having over 20 years experience with them. I respect recovering individuals who often have readiness to do deep therapeutic work.
While I draw heavily from evidence based practices, my underlying approach to therapy is Existential.
I've spent my career as a therapist helping children, adults, and couples deal with difficult emotions, relationships, and trauma. I practice trauma informed care even when trauma isn't the focus. In my office you will find radical acceptance, compassion, and a fellow traveler on your journey. I understand that starting therapy can be difficult, especially the first time, so I take the time to build a caring relationship. Therapy wont be sterile or rushed or cookie cutter. You can expect to reduce suffering, strengthen your authentic self, challenge beliefs, foster resiliency, and create more space for curiosity and compassion.
While I draw heavily from evidence based practices, my underlying approach to therapy is Existential.
I've spent my career as a therapist helping children, adults, and couples deal with difficult emotions, relationships, and trauma. I practice trauma informed care even when trauma isn't the focus. In my office you will find radical acceptance, compassion, and a fellow traveler on your journey. I understand that starting therapy can be difficult, especially the first time, so I take the time to build a caring relationship. Therapy wont be sterile or rushed or cookie cutter. You can expect to reduce suffering, strengthen your authentic self, challenge beliefs, foster resiliency, and create more space for curiosity and compassion.
Cheryl Beck Benjamin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CDP
Verified Verified
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Working from an emotion focused, humanistic, and existential lens, I am a partner for my clients as they face some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
My father always said “aging comes with serious side effects”. While he meant it as a joke, his words were poetic and true. Whether we are navigating our own experience with aging, or caring for others, issues related to this experience can dominate our lives, and cause significant distress.I come to this work, enriched with life experiences that have given me perspective, compassion, and empathy.
Working from an emotion focused, humanistic, and existential lens, I am a partner for my clients as they face some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
My father always said “aging comes with serious side effects”. While he meant it as a joke, his words were poetic and true. Whether we are navigating our own experience with aging, or caring for others, issues related to this experience can dominate our lives, and cause significant distress.I come to this work, enriched with life experiences that have given me perspective, compassion, and empathy.
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Although she primarily orients from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, Desiree often incorporates psychodynamic, family systems, existential, and dialectical behavioral approaches, as well.
Desiree Golbahar is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the field of addiction and recovery. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from UC San Diego and her master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University of Los Angeles. Over the past 10 years, Desiree has gained experience within a wide range of populations and issues impacting children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
Although she primarily orients from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, Desiree often incorporates psychodynamic, family systems, existential, and dialectical behavioral approaches, as well.
Desiree Golbahar is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the field of addiction and recovery. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from UC San Diego and her master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University of Los Angeles. Over the past 10 years, Desiree has gained experience within a wide range of populations and issues impacting children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
Aroosha Sanchez Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Jose, CA 95125 (Online Only)
My work is deeply attuned to family of origin challenges, existential anxieties and minority group struggles, recognizing the profound impact on individuals and families.
Do you feel stuck? with compassion and empathy, I will guide you toward healing and growth to navigate life’s challenges, relationships, underlying traumas when appropriate and unhealthy family dynamics. I provide trauma-informed care to address root causes of anxieties, promote self-awareness and increase attunement in relationships while helping you gain tools to confront daily stressors and life transitions so you can thrive in your journey towards well-being. I am passionate about my work with women’s mental health, immigration-acculturation challenges, and parents struggling with bonding or those coping with a new diagnosis.
My work is deeply attuned to family of origin challenges, existential anxieties and minority group struggles, recognizing the profound impact on individuals and families.
Do you feel stuck? with compassion and empathy, I will guide you toward healing and growth to navigate life’s challenges, relationships, underlying traumas when appropriate and unhealthy family dynamics. I provide trauma-informed care to address root causes of anxieties, promote self-awareness and increase attunement in relationships while helping you gain tools to confront daily stressors and life transitions so you can thrive in your journey towards well-being. I am passionate about my work with women’s mental health, immigration-acculturation challenges, and parents struggling with bonding or those coping with a new diagnosis.
Danielle Torres
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90505
I utilize evidence based interventions, and integrate existential, solution focused and positive psychology into sessions.
Have you been hit with unimaginable life circumstances that make it difficult to move forward? Are you struggling with Low self esteem or negative self talk? Do you feel overwhelmed, avoid uncomfortable feelings, or have low motivation for change? Perhaps you want to change but don’t know where to start? I specialize in work with teens/adults dealing 1st generation college students, professionals, and student athletes managing work life balance, cultural pressures, and performance issues. I also specialize in grief and loss, anxiety and depression, and work with LGBTQIA and trans issues.
I utilize evidence based interventions, and integrate existential, solution focused and positive psychology into sessions.
Have you been hit with unimaginable life circumstances that make it difficult to move forward? Are you struggling with Low self esteem or negative self talk? Do you feel overwhelmed, avoid uncomfortable feelings, or have low motivation for change? Perhaps you want to change but don’t know where to start? I specialize in work with teens/adults dealing 1st generation college students, professionals, and student athletes managing work life balance, cultural pressures, and performance issues. I also specialize in grief and loss, anxiety and depression, and work with LGBTQIA and trans issues.
Adam Shemper, MFT: Awaken Relationship
Marriage & Family Therapist, MJ, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Healdsburg, CA 95448
My practice is rooted in Eastern and Western approaches: body-based psychotherapy (Hakomi & AEDP), Zen, Gestalt & voice dialogue, Jungian psychology, family systems and adolescent therapy, cross-cultural perspectives, humanistic, and existential psychology.
I collaborate with individuals and couples to change old, destructive patterns into mutually beneficial ways of relating. With presence, curiosity & humor, I offer a healing relationship as the path toward greater self-acceptance, fulfillment & freedom. I help you ground in your innate capacity to feel more in charge of your life, which includes being able to identify and express your feelings, needs & desires. My practice is oriented toward: emotional experience; people in the midst of life transitions, including new parents and parents of older children; those experiencing grief; & individuals who have previously been in therapy.
My practice is rooted in Eastern and Western approaches: body-based psychotherapy (Hakomi & AEDP), Zen, Gestalt & voice dialogue, Jungian psychology, family systems and adolescent therapy, cross-cultural perspectives, humanistic, and existential psychology.
I collaborate with individuals and couples to change old, destructive patterns into mutually beneficial ways of relating. With presence, curiosity & humor, I offer a healing relationship as the path toward greater self-acceptance, fulfillment & freedom. I help you ground in your innate capacity to feel more in charge of your life, which includes being able to identify and express your feelings, needs & desires. My practice is oriented toward: emotional experience; people in the midst of life transitions, including new parents and parents of older children; those experiencing grief; & individuals who have previously been in therapy.
I specialize in anxiety and depression due to challenges related to relationship difficulties, life transition, existential crises, and/or identity issues.
Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.
I specialize in anxiety and depression due to challenges related to relationship difficulties, life transition, existential crises, and/or identity issues.
Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.
Anthony Paul Martello
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
For adults, couples, and families I usually approach therapy from an existential (here and now) point of view.
Are you afraid, confused, or struggling with your relationships? I work with client(s) dealing with interpersonal issues and communication challenges. It may be a husband and wife re-defining their roles with life changes, or an individual considering a career change. The problem often reveals itself at the surface when arguing and verbal conflict ensue, but the source of the problem needs a deeper adjustment, such as adjusting roles or providing more support for a family member. Regardless, clear communication usually allows the individual, couple, or family to achieve the goal of collaboration and compromise.
For adults, couples, and families I usually approach therapy from an existential (here and now) point of view.
Are you afraid, confused, or struggling with your relationships? I work with client(s) dealing with interpersonal issues and communication challenges. It may be a husband and wife re-defining their roles with life changes, or an individual considering a career change. The problem often reveals itself at the surface when arguing and verbal conflict ensue, but the source of the problem needs a deeper adjustment, such as adjusting roles or providing more support for a family member. Regardless, clear communication usually allows the individual, couple, or family to achieve the goal of collaboration and compromise.
Gerard Antonio Artesona
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RYT-200
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
I work with clients from diverse communities who seek support for challenges related to racial and ethnic identity, major life transitions, and existential concerns. I also provide psychedelic integration support that is culturally sensitive, based in reciprocity and acknowledgment of indigenous cultures, and trauma-informed. Forgiveness, compassion, and patience for ourselves and our own unique healing processes are key to embracing our inherent strengths and finding self empowerment. These are valuable tools I hope to help you cultivate.
I work with clients from diverse communities who seek support for challenges related to racial and ethnic identity, major life transitions, and existential concerns. I also provide psychedelic integration support that is culturally sensitive, based in reciprocity and acknowledgment of indigenous cultures, and trauma-informed. Forgiveness, compassion, and patience for ourselves and our own unique healing processes are key to embracing our inherent strengths and finding self empowerment. These are valuable tools I hope to help you cultivate.
Celine M. Paganini
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
West Hollywood, CA 90069 (Online Only)
Whether struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, dissociation, relationships, reproduction or existential despair, I am here to help. By approaching your well-being from every angle, we will work together to facilitate a mindful exploration of your conscious and unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I will help you build a personalized self-care regimen aimed to help you learn about yourself in a kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental way. This may allow you to begin exploring how your mind and body process experiences; how your past may get activated in your present; and how your body instinctually responds.
Whether struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, dissociation, relationships, reproduction or existential despair, I am here to help. By approaching your well-being from every angle, we will work together to facilitate a mindful exploration of your conscious and unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I will help you build a personalized self-care regimen aimed to help you learn about yourself in a kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental way. This may allow you to begin exploring how your mind and body process experiences; how your past may get activated in your present; and how your body instinctually responds.
Kevin Stansbury
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Burbank, CA 91505 (Online Only)
I draw upon a variety of modalities in session such as CBT, DBT, MBSR, ACT, IFS, somatic approaches, existential approaches, and other identity and meaning-making focused approaches.
You've been in therapy, read the personal development books, and know the coping skills, and yet there are still areas you struggle with, that hump you can't seem to get over, and that nagging dissatisfaction that you intuitively know doesn't have to be there. Perhaps you even feel like your self-reflective and empathetic nature works against you much of the time. I love diving deep with my clients into the identity structures that keep destructive, harmful, or painful patterns in place and supporting them with discovering the innate wisdom that will guide you into a relationship of profound trust with and love for yourself.
I draw upon a variety of modalities in session such as CBT, DBT, MBSR, ACT, IFS, somatic approaches, existential approaches, and other identity and meaning-making focused approaches.
You've been in therapy, read the personal development books, and know the coping skills, and yet there are still areas you struggle with, that hump you can't seem to get over, and that nagging dissatisfaction that you intuitively know doesn't have to be there. Perhaps you even feel like your self-reflective and empathetic nature works against you much of the time. I love diving deep with my clients into the identity structures that keep destructive, harmful, or painful patterns in place and supporting them with discovering the innate wisdom that will guide you into a relationship of profound trust with and love for yourself.
See more therapy options for California
Existential Therapists
How does existential therapy work?
Existential therapy focuses on a patient’s inner experiences. The therapist tries to help the individual comprehend and alleviate symptoms by exploring their interior life. By confronting negative disquiet and emotions, the individual will hopefully become more open to finding meaning and purpose. This therapy can be administered to individuals or groups.
Is existential therapy evidence-based?
Existential therapy is an evidence-based practice. Research has determined that existential therapy can lead to significant improvement in the mental health of patients, and for some people it can be just as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy. The benefits of existential therapy are enduring, even long after treatment has ended.
How long does existential therapy last?
The goal of existential therapy is to understand a person’s internal experiences, which may sound like a lengthy process, but it does not have to be so in-depth. However, sessions are not short-term, and therapy can continue for months or up to a year. And because patients learn the theory behind existential therapy during treatment, they can also practice its tenets throughout life after therapy sessions have been completed.
Is existential therapy effective?
According to research, many patients find success with existential therapy. Researchers note that the therapy is particularly useful in improving feelings of isolation, feelings of purposelessness, as well as conditions such as anxiety and depression. Improvements in problem areas can persist even after the end of existential therapy, as individuals can continue working on themselves by using the tools they’ve developed during treatment.