Gestalt Therapists in Santa Barbara County, CA
My training includes: Level 3 Attachment Focused EMDR, Hakomi Body/Mind Psychotherapy, Gestalt Play Therapy.
"Over the past 20 years I have supported clients in overcoming challenges and empowering their authentic selves. Through counseling, coaching, and group work, I've helped them activate their inner resources and realize their inherent potential. I believe growth is served by identifying and integrating core material which obstructs access to essence, passion, and life purpose. Enhancing self-awareness, employing mindfulness and nonviolence, I help clients listen to their Body's Intelligence ©, connect to inner wisdom, and take courageous action.
My training includes: Level 3 Attachment Focused EMDR, Hakomi Body/Mind Psychotherapy, Gestalt Play Therapy.
"Over the past 20 years I have supported clients in overcoming challenges and empowering their authentic selves. Through counseling, coaching, and group work, I've helped them activate their inner resources and realize their inherent potential. I believe growth is served by identifying and integrating core material which obstructs access to essence, passion, and life purpose. Enhancing self-awareness, employing mindfulness and nonviolence, I help clients listen to their Body's Intelligence ©, connect to inner wisdom, and take courageous action.
I'm Sheila Henry, LMFT and I have been practicing for over 25 years. I am passionate about helping you remove obstacles standing in your way so that you can lead the life you desire. I focus on depression, anxiety, and loneliness. My passion is to help single individuals overcome the barriers to building meaningful, healthy relationships. I believe that the mind and the body are connected so I use EFT or "tapping" on the meridian acupuncture points along with Western modalities. I am also certified in cognitive therapy, solution-oriented, hypnosis, and gestalt therapy.
I'm Sheila Henry, LMFT and I have been practicing for over 25 years. I am passionate about helping you remove obstacles standing in your way so that you can lead the life you desire. I focus on depression, anxiety, and loneliness. My passion is to help single individuals overcome the barriers to building meaningful, healthy relationships. I believe that the mind and the body are connected so I use EFT or "tapping" on the meridian acupuncture points along with Western modalities. I am also certified in cognitive therapy, solution-oriented, hypnosis, and gestalt therapy.
Shanda Barnett
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RPT
Verified Verified
Solvang, CA 93463 (Online Only)
-Training in: Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) -Certifications completed: Adoptions Counselor Training (ACT); Pathways to Parenting; Sexual Assault Victim Advocate; Domestic Violence Counselor -Theoretical orientations: Family Systems, Client-Centered, Humanistic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-based perspective.
Are you worried about a recent change in your child's emotions/behaviors? Thankfully, there is help specific to your child's developmental needs through a kid-friendly approach, Play Therapy. I help children sort through a variety of issues, from anxiety, sadness, and anger, to behavioral problems at home/school. I work with you, the parent who knows their child best, to help your child heal. If you're an adoptive or foster parent, this can be a confusing or challenging role. It may be difficult to connect with your child. The same parenting rules do not apply to a "non-traditional" family system.
-Training in: Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) -Certifications completed: Adoptions Counselor Training (ACT); Pathways to Parenting; Sexual Assault Victim Advocate; Domestic Violence Counselor -Theoretical orientations: Family Systems, Client-Centered, Humanistic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-based perspective.
Are you worried about a recent change in your child's emotions/behaviors? Thankfully, there is help specific to your child's developmental needs through a kid-friendly approach, Play Therapy. I help children sort through a variety of issues, from anxiety, sadness, and anger, to behavioral problems at home/school. I work with you, the parent who knows their child best, to help your child heal. If you're an adoptive or foster parent, this can be a confusing or challenging role. It may be difficult to connect with your child. The same parenting rules do not apply to a "non-traditional" family system.
I have found art, movement ( gestalt therapy) help expand treatment choices leading to a unique healing.
My practice serves those who want to change negative life patterns and relationships. Also, those who want to reduce anxiety, depression and addictive self-destructive behaviors. My clients and I work to find solutions to create a peaceful satisfying life experience.
I have found art, movement ( gestalt therapy) help expand treatment choices leading to a unique healing.
My practice serves those who want to change negative life patterns and relationships. Also, those who want to reduce anxiety, depression and addictive self-destructive behaviors. My clients and I work to find solutions to create a peaceful satisfying life experience.
Katherine Wu
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Goleta, CA 93111 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
As a therapist, I emphasize principles from Gestalt (i.
Our relationships with others and growing up include really profound and beautiful experiences; and, our experiences can also leave us feeling stuck, afraid, and angry. This can be especially true when we are BIPOC-identified, are the children of immigrants or first-generation immigrants ourselves, identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or have other marginalized identities. Common concerns endorsed by my clients include imposter syndrome, perfectionism, body image issues, difficulty with safety and trust in relationships, low self-esteem, and persistent anxiety and depression.
As a therapist, I emphasize principles from Gestalt (i.
Our relationships with others and growing up include really profound and beautiful experiences; and, our experiences can also leave us feeling stuck, afraid, and angry. This can be especially true when we are BIPOC-identified, are the children of immigrants or first-generation immigrants ourselves, identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or have other marginalized identities. Common concerns endorsed by my clients include imposter syndrome, perfectionism, body image issues, difficulty with safety and trust in relationships, low self-esteem, and persistent anxiety and depression.
My training in meditation, dream work, body awareness, Buddhist studies, Gestalt and other trainings allows me to address my client's needs directly, giving them methods and experiences to apply to their daily lives.
Clients often come to me during a deep life transition of some kind. They are looking for clarity and deeper meaning. They are motivated, and sometimes afraid to change. Issues of grief and death, relationship, career change, loss or aging often show up; a sense of "Who am I? What next? Where am I going? Where have I been?" Many times clients are looking for deeper spiritual awareness, either wanting to renew abandoned practices, or looking for something beyond their past experience. In each case they are looking to connect more directly with life and find methods to do so. They are looking for greater balance, peace and stability.
My training in meditation, dream work, body awareness, Buddhist studies, Gestalt and other trainings allows me to address my client's needs directly, giving them methods and experiences to apply to their daily lives.
Clients often come to me during a deep life transition of some kind. They are looking for clarity and deeper meaning. They are motivated, and sometimes afraid to change. Issues of grief and death, relationship, career change, loss or aging often show up; a sense of "Who am I? What next? Where am I going? Where have I been?" Many times clients are looking for deeper spiritual awareness, either wanting to renew abandoned practices, or looking for something beyond their past experience. In each case they are looking to connect more directly with life and find methods to do so. They are looking for greater balance, peace and stability.
Hello, I'm Maria Welch, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I believe in creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces to heal. I have experience working with people on broken relationships with self and others and trauma. I am eclectic in my use of theoretical orientation and believe in meeting people where they are. I pull from a variety of approaches which include Dbt, Cbt, client-centered, and gestalt.
Hello, I'm Maria Welch, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I believe in creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces to heal. I have experience working with people on broken relationships with self and others and trauma. I am eclectic in my use of theoretical orientation and believe in meeting people where they are. I pull from a variety of approaches which include Dbt, Cbt, client-centered, and gestalt.
I offer traditional psychotherapy, gestalt/somatic experiencing, and I'm certified in EMDR therapy.
If you are facing a difficult transition in your relationship, depression, addiction, trauma, or simply wanting to increase your life's potential, contact me with questions concerning psychotherapy. Addressing the presenting problem, we will identify past memories, present behavior and emotions, and their impact on living a creative life. By engaging your imagination, we gain access to your hidden potential, hindered by negative belief patterns. Together we will transform your life's most difficult challenges and develop the courage to create opportunities to live more passionately.
I offer traditional psychotherapy, gestalt/somatic experiencing, and I'm certified in EMDR therapy.
If you are facing a difficult transition in your relationship, depression, addiction, trauma, or simply wanting to increase your life's potential, contact me with questions concerning psychotherapy. Addressing the presenting problem, we will identify past memories, present behavior and emotions, and their impact on living a creative life. By engaging your imagination, we gain access to your hidden potential, hindered by negative belief patterns. Together we will transform your life's most difficult challenges and develop the courage to create opportunities to live more passionately.
Coral Martinez
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Online Only)
I utilize individualized interventions that include elements of Gestalt theory, art therapy, and evidence-based interventions including Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP).
Are you struggling with anxiety or overwhelming thoughts? Do you notice negative self-talk or self-defeating patterns that affect you and your relationships? Are you having difficulty coping with life stressors? I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in working with young adults who are struggling with anxiety, life challenges, transitions, and relationship difficulties. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your ability to walk through life. I want to work with you to create tools to manage your anxiety, understand your emotions, and uncover patterns in your life and relationships.
I utilize individualized interventions that include elements of Gestalt theory, art therapy, and evidence-based interventions including Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP).
Are you struggling with anxiety or overwhelming thoughts? Do you notice negative self-talk or self-defeating patterns that affect you and your relationships? Are you having difficulty coping with life stressors? I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in working with young adults who are struggling with anxiety, life challenges, transitions, and relationship difficulties. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your ability to walk through life. I want to work with you to create tools to manage your anxiety, understand your emotions, and uncover patterns in your life and relationships.
Stephanie Pawlowicz
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RPT
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
I am also a certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents and a Registered Play Therapist.
A person comes to therapy when their present ways of being in relationship, or in the world, no longer seem to hold the meaning they once did. My aim is to support you in creating a new foundation of hope, purpose, and meaning in your life. I help people seek wholeness through the integration of mind, body, and soul, thus expanding their current level of understanding, and in so doing, creating the capacity to live more meaningfully.
I am also a certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents and a Registered Play Therapist.
A person comes to therapy when their present ways of being in relationship, or in the world, no longer seem to hold the meaning they once did. My aim is to support you in creating a new foundation of hope, purpose, and meaning in your life. I help people seek wholeness through the integration of mind, body, and soul, thus expanding their current level of understanding, and in so doing, creating the capacity to live more meaningfully.
Felicia Carroll
Marriage & Family Therapist, MEd , LMFT-S, RPT-S
Verified Verified
Solvang, CA 93463
I have a specialization in assessing and providing therapy with children, adolescents, and their families. In addition to thirty five years of clinical work I am a teacher and trainer to other professionals in Gestalt Therapy with Children, Adolescents, and Families. I hae also published several articles which are available on the internet.
I have a specialization in assessing and providing therapy with children, adolescents, and their families. In addition to thirty five years of clinical work I am a teacher and trainer to other professionals in Gestalt Therapy with Children, Adolescents, and Families. I hae also published several articles which are available on the internet.
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Hey! How’s it going? I'm Julianne Moreno and it’s nice to meet you. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Lic 114450) currently practicing in California. I studied and trained at SDSU followed by a 4-year stint at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, where I learned to specialize in Relational Gestalt Psychotherapy with a focus on women, children, and families. I see therapy as a partnership providing insight, support, and guidance. I don’t only focus on difficult times but think it is ALWAYS a good time to tackle those next-level goals.
Hey! How’s it going? I'm Julianne Moreno and it’s nice to meet you. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Lic 114450) currently practicing in California. I studied and trained at SDSU followed by a 4-year stint at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, where I learned to specialize in Relational Gestalt Psychotherapy with a focus on women, children, and families. I see therapy as a partnership providing insight, support, and guidance. I don’t only focus on difficult times but think it is ALWAYS a good time to tackle those next-level goals.
Hello! My name is Emily Wong, and I am an LMFT. I take a compassionate approach to helping people identify their strengths and work through their struggles, but I also keep it real and authentically reflect what I am seeing. I enjoy working with many populations, but my focus areas are eating disorders, couples, anxiety, and depression. I work from a psychodynamic approach and incorporate themes from Gestalt and other humanistic modalities. I have a background in yoga, so I also enjoy bringing in breath and somatic work (only for the clients who want it!). I also work from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective.
Hello! My name is Emily Wong, and I am an LMFT. I take a compassionate approach to helping people identify their strengths and work through their struggles, but I also keep it real and authentically reflect what I am seeing. I enjoy working with many populations, but my focus areas are eating disorders, couples, anxiety, and depression. I work from a psychodynamic approach and incorporate themes from Gestalt and other humanistic modalities. I have a background in yoga, so I also enjoy bringing in breath and somatic work (only for the clients who want it!). I also work from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective.
Hi there, I'm Maricela, a licensed clinical social worker. I work with individuals 18+. I specialize in anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, stress, and spirituality. My therapeutic approach consists of motivational interviewing, Christian Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Gestalt, solution-focused, trauma-focused, strength-based, supportive, and grief. I am open to speaking with you about your Christian faith and how that affects your life and decisions if you choose. I will sit with you while we get you through whatever it is that is bothering you without judgment. You are not alone.
Hi there, I'm Maricela, a licensed clinical social worker. I work with individuals 18+. I specialize in anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, stress, and spirituality. My therapeutic approach consists of motivational interviewing, Christian Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Gestalt, solution-focused, trauma-focused, strength-based, supportive, and grief. I am open to speaking with you about your Christian faith and how that affects your life and decisions if you choose. I will sit with you while we get you through whatever it is that is bothering you without judgment. You are not alone.
Tyler Sullivan Hartford
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Online Only)
I specialize in addressing the deeper, often unconscious roots of difficulties utilizing depth psychotherapy, with influences of gestalt (process) and person centered interventions.
Few of us make it through childhood without having experienced trauma of one form or another. Often times, the adaptations that we make in order to best survive early life challenges, lead to patterns of belief and action which get in the way of us finding freedom, happiness, and fulfillment as adolescents and adults. Every person deserves an opportunity to grow to their greatest potential. Therapy is a facilitated process of increasing awareness of obstacles to growth and supporting transformation.
I specialize in addressing the deeper, often unconscious roots of difficulties utilizing depth psychotherapy, with influences of gestalt (process) and person centered interventions.
Few of us make it through childhood without having experienced trauma of one form or another. Often times, the adaptations that we make in order to best survive early life challenges, lead to patterns of belief and action which get in the way of us finding freedom, happiness, and fulfillment as adolescents and adults. Every person deserves an opportunity to grow to their greatest potential. Therapy is a facilitated process of increasing awareness of obstacles to growth and supporting transformation.
Jeneane Nicodemus
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Online Only)
Through Mindfulness, Somatic practice, Gestalt and EMDR I aim to help clients attune to their needs more readily by helping them focus on body awareness, breath, and their inner narrative.
Most clients come to therapy when other things they've tried are no longer working. Whether it's the frustration of work and career, difficult familial connections, friendships or intimate relationships that feel less than satisfying. Issues around speaking up, feeling heard, respected emotionally are often some of the goals dear to our hearts, but also seem so out of reach. Most of us want to feel heard and as though we matter. Our futures are full of hope and opportunity, but getting there can also seem daunting. What is keeping you from achieving your beautiful life?
Through Mindfulness, Somatic practice, Gestalt and EMDR I aim to help clients attune to their needs more readily by helping them focus on body awareness, breath, and their inner narrative.
Most clients come to therapy when other things they've tried are no longer working. Whether it's the frustration of work and career, difficult familial connections, friendships or intimate relationships that feel less than satisfying. Issues around speaking up, feeling heard, respected emotionally are often some of the goals dear to our hearts, but also seem so out of reach. Most of us want to feel heard and as though we matter. Our futures are full of hope and opportunity, but getting there can also seem daunting. What is keeping you from achieving your beautiful life?
Zachary Sandler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
My therapeutic style is grounded in the belief that authentic relationships are healing. I support people of various ethnic groups, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds to bring meaning to their lives, connect with their aliveness, and expand their sense of personal choice and freedom. My approach combines gestalt therapy, attachment theory and somatic experiencing. I am also trained in EMDR. For more than a decade I have been providing therapy to teens, adults and couples.
My therapeutic style is grounded in the belief that authentic relationships are healing. I support people of various ethnic groups, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds to bring meaning to their lives, connect with their aliveness, and expand their sense of personal choice and freedom. My approach combines gestalt therapy, attachment theory and somatic experiencing. I am also trained in EMDR. For more than a decade I have been providing therapy to teens, adults and couples.
I draw from evidence-based client-centered modalities including Transpersonal Psychology, Ecopsychology, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt, Family Systems and Somatic approaches to healing.
I view therapy as a collaboration where therapist and client work together to connect with an inner healing intelligence and unconditional positive regard within each of us. We can then tend to trauma, grief, resentments, and limiting beliefs that are contributing to symptoms. With humility and reverence for the resilience, courage and vulnerability it can take to heal ourselves, I create a nonjudgemental, kind and compassionate space with room for humor, absurdity and fun.
I draw from evidence-based client-centered modalities including Transpersonal Psychology, Ecopsychology, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt, Family Systems and Somatic approaches to healing.
I view therapy as a collaboration where therapist and client work together to connect with an inner healing intelligence and unconditional positive regard within each of us. We can then tend to trauma, grief, resentments, and limiting beliefs that are contributing to symptoms. With humility and reverence for the resilience, courage and vulnerability it can take to heal ourselves, I create a nonjudgemental, kind and compassionate space with room for humor, absurdity and fun.
Dr. Nelly Nassar
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Online Only)
I appreciate the courage it takes for someone to seek therapy and ask for help. Even though it can be an uncomfortable process at the beginning, psychotherapy can be an extremely rewarding experience. I try my best to provide you with a very safe and supportive environment and to work collaboratively with you on raising your awareness about your process and helping you improve your quality of life. I am certified in Gestalt Therapy by the Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA) so I integrate gestalt therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in my work with you.
I appreciate the courage it takes for someone to seek therapy and ask for help. Even though it can be an uncomfortable process at the beginning, psychotherapy can be an extremely rewarding experience. I try my best to provide you with a very safe and supportive environment and to work collaboratively with you on raising your awareness about your process and helping you improve your quality of life. I am certified in Gestalt Therapy by the Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA) so I integrate gestalt therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in my work with you.
Ally Misanko
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Are you frequently worrying about things you can’t control? Do you tend to talk negatively to yourself or feel like you aren’t enough? Are you concerned about relationship issues? Being a human today is hard and people come to therapy for many different reasons. It can be challenging to manage all the aspects of personal, professional, and family life, leaving self-care and wellness on the back burner. I am committed to helping individuals and couples improve communication, feel better, and live well. I value the importance of building a trusting and collaborative relationship and know that finding the right therapist can be hard.
Are you frequently worrying about things you can’t control? Do you tend to talk negatively to yourself or feel like you aren’t enough? Are you concerned about relationship issues? Being a human today is hard and people come to therapy for many different reasons. It can be challenging to manage all the aspects of personal, professional, and family life, leaving self-care and wellness on the back burner. I am committed to helping individuals and couples improve communication, feel better, and live well. I value the importance of building a trusting and collaborative relationship and know that finding the right therapist can be hard.
See more therapy options for Santa Barbara County
Gestalt Therapists
What is gestalt therapy?
Gestalt therapy is based on the idea that to address unresolved negative feelings, emotions must be not only discussed but also actively expressed in the present moment. The term is from a German word meaning “whole,” and gestalt therapists believe that people should be considered whole entities made up of mind, body, and emotions. Gestalt sessions are rooted in the notion that a client’s total self must be discovered, explored, and confronted, so that they can take greater responsibility for themselves and their behavior, learn to satisfy their own needs while still respecting the needs of others, and reconnect with feelings they might otherwise deny.
How does gestalt therapy work?
Gestalt therapy sessions do not just involve talking with a therapist. Clients may take part in role-playing, re-enactment, or artistic exercises like drawing and painting, with the goal of becoming more aware of negative thought patterns that limit happiness. One common gestalt exercise is “the empty chair,” in which a client sits across from an empty chair representing a partner, relative, boss, or a part of themselves—and, with the therapist’s encouragement, improvises a dialog with it. The intention is to bring the emotions raised by past conflicts into the present and work through them in the moment.
How long does gestalt therapy last?
As with most forms of talk therapy, there is no set duration or end point for gestalt therapy; people who believe that they are making progress typically continue until they feel they’ve addressed the issues that had been holding them back. New patients should understand that it may take some time to become comfortable with gestalt exercises but once they do, they should expect sessions to extend for a number of months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions.
Does gestalt therapy work?
Gestalt therapy has generally been found to be as effective as other forms of talk therapy in helping people living with anxiety, depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders, as well as helping individuals reduce conflict in relationships. Gestalt techniques, on their own or in combination with other therapies, can also be effective in managing physical ailments including ulcerative colitis, migraines, and back spasms. It should be noted that some people may have trouble adapting to gestalt therapy’s lack of formal structure or to a therapist’s close observations of their body language and emotions; others may struggle to commit to techniques that feel unnatural, like the empty chair exercise.