Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Hello, my name is Gina Regalbuto and I am a licensed clinical social worker practicing in California. My specialization is in healing trauma, depression, and anxiety and the symptoms and stressors that follow as a result. I have also worked extensively with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. I primarily practice through the lens of psychodynamic theory and I am an eclectic provider who utilizes the modality that serves my client's the best. I am also a certified yoga teacher so I can teach client's calming breathing techniques if they are interested in learning other ways to manage emotions.

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker who received my Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles in 2006. I work with, adolescents, adults and couples/families. I have worked in various settings, including mental health outpatient clinics, inpatient mental health, state hospitals, detention facilities and prisons.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) with certification from the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, concentrating in Conversational Analysis, I earned my Master's in Social Work from USC, concentrating in Business and Social Work in Global Communities. Prior to becoming Clinical Director at Center for Sexual Integrity, I served as the Associate Clinical Director at Center for Healthy Sex, working closely with one of the most respected authorities in the field, Dr. Alexandra Katehakis.

Dr. Yi Chun (Melodie) Hsu is a clinical psychologist with nearly a decade of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate trauma, relationship struggles, addiction, identity issues, and grief. She is known for her warm and empathetic style with a splash of humor, making her clients feel seen, heard, and valued. She obtained her doctorate in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University and completed her undergraduate education at California State University, Fullerton. She utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach combined with motivational interviewing, attachment, and internal family systems.

Hi, I’m so happy you’re here. While finding the right therapist can be challenging, my mission is to lead with compassion and empathy, to create a space for my clients to be authentically themselves. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, grief, chronic illness, life transitions, trauma, or relationship issues–you are safe here.

I use a variety of practices and therapies, including: EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma Informed Therapy. My process is always to ask you, the client, what it is you want, what would that look like, and what is in your way. Then we collaborate to get you there!

I am a former Adjunct Faculty in the graduate program at Cal State Long Beach, and I have a small private practice with a few openings. I work with adults, couples and older teens to help them feel more free, alive and connected with others. Sometimes the work begins by decreasing symptoms such as anxiety, family conflict, depression, trauma reactions, etc. Once those symptoms decrease, the work often evolves into more personal growth work, such as exploring family of origin issues and/or barriers to deeper levels of connection and intimacy.

I hold my master’s degree in clinical psychology and am finishing my doctoral degree. Throughout my experiences, I have worked with individuals, families, and kids in some of the most challenging situations to overcome some of the most challenging times in their lives. As a strengths-based coach, I focus on helping you understand the patterns in your life, and we focus on building your resiliency skills for breaking unhelpful habits and replacing them with helpful lifestyle changes. My superpower is finding potential in the hidden and overlooked places when you can't see it in yourself and then empowering you to take control.

I enjoy helping youth, college students, adults, and older adults learn to manage emotional stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues. Collaborating with clients on goals helps them tap into their authentic selves, helping them identify personalized self-care skills to restructure negative thinking patterns. I think it is important to meet people where they are focusing on their strengths to inspire and motivate them to meet their particular needs or goals. I help my clients find inner happiness through a positive mindset.

Are you seeking a safe space where your unique identity is understood and celebrated? Do you find yourself straddling the complexities of many marginalized identities: POC/BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, ADHD/neurodivergent, 1st-gen American/adult child of immigrant parents? The weight from the social pressure to conform to immigrant family roles / expectations—especially the “minority model” stereotype and resulting perfectionism—can leave you feeling anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed. Navigating these challenges can be daunting, but you’ll find answers and guidance here.

Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, interrelation issues, or any of the complexities of life, therapy can be a non-judgmental space for reflection and vulnerability. Finding the right fit to help you explore these internal, interpersonal, or sociocultural factors can be a challenge, and I want to meet you where you're at, then help you get where you’d like to go. Our focus is building a strong therapeutic relationship together and having an affirming space for you to explore your identity, experiences, and emotions.

You want a balanced life; fulfilling career, romantic relationship, genuine friendships, family bonds, health, and fun. Maybe some areas of your life feel full, yet there is still something missing, thus creating this imbalance. This does not happen in a vacuum; it happens in relationship with oneself and others. Healing also happens in relationships, which starts with me and you. I am an expert in healthy relationships and career; helping to create space for more in your life without feeling overwhelmed. I will help you improve your life and find the relief you need in a world that can sometimes feel unrelenting.

Your child is a source of light. But perhaps you've noticed their light has dimmed recently and you feel concerned. Perhaps your teen is falling behind in school, having difficulty connecting with their friends, or experiencing confusion as they explore their gender identity. Your young child may be having anger outbursts or challenges with their behavior at home. Adjusting to the post-COVID lifestyle might be causing ongoing worries and changes in mood or personality. Or your child might have experienced a major stressor like divorce, a death in the family, or even a traumatic event like a car accident or an act of violence.

As a Black Man who is Queer, I became a therapist because I understand that all behavior serves a purpose– conscious & unconscious. I aspire to help folx understand their behavior and establish coping skills needed to live the lives they've always wanted. I believe that mental/emotional suffering is unnecessary and, when possible, should be avoided using healthy coping skills. I typically work with individuals and couples who span ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are new to therapy, have encountered past turbulent therapy experiences, and whose intersections of identities are not often represented in therapeutic settings.

Ready to prioritize your mental health and well-being? Let's do this! As a therapist (and a human being), I get that life can be overwhelming. Whether it's battling anxiety, depression, surviving tough times, or just trying to figure out what the heck you're doing in life—I'm here to support you. I work with clients who have a desire to be their authentic self, navigating life transitions, struggle with setting healthy boundaries, or may be feeling like something is “missing” in their life. My clients share that I have been a positive support in helping them work through their challenges, in addition to creating a life they desire.

The Integrated Clinic provides client-centered, collaborative, coordinated care to clients, leveraging the latest advances in neuroscience and technology in order to foster health, wellness, and performance. Together, we work synergistically to offer scientifically-informed and seamless care that promotes patient outcomes. Our Clinic team provides interdisciplinary services to foster health/wellness, education, and performance.

No one goes unscathed in this life, and sometimes we need help from a professional. My job is to provide a safe place to begin the path of psychotherapy. I have 26 years of experience providing psychotherapy to clients with a variety of challenges. I listen, provide support, empathize and care for my clients. Often we feel that we have not been heard or seen in a deep way. I aim to offer a different and corrective experience and help clients gain insight and change behaviors.

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.

Nurturing, strength-based and compassionate, I am an active and directive participant in my clients' work- whether working with individuals or with a couple . We together will identify what brings you to treatment, be it depression, anxiety, PTSD, marital distress, or simply discomfort. We will articulate where in your life you are struggling- interpersonally, at work, within your family system or in your marriage, and develop goals to relieve that distress. It can be challenging to choose to participate in therapy, and I work to create a safe environment so we can engage and address the issues that are challenging you.