Teletherapy for Santa Barbara, CA

It is my privilege to support folks in their healing, growth and attaining their desired changes. In my 13 yrs in practice, I developed an eclectic approach in which I try to get clients their progress as early as possible, customizing a variety of methods. During sessions, I give my full attention, compassion, skills-teaching, and honest feedback. I customize sessions for what they need (consider their upbringing, values, goals & ability). I work with clients of a wide range of cultural, political, religious, or spiritual backgrounds/value systems. Focus is on clients feeling more self-empowered, at peace & self-satisfied.

People tend to find me at some point on their journey when they need calm and direct guidance. They are usually in a time of deep pain and confusion, whether they are transitioning in life, divorcing, watching their teens struggle, feeling utterly depressed and lost, struggling in relationships or just wanting more out of their lives.

Hi, I'm Dr. Dara Goldyne. Are you a college student, young professional, or new parent who is tired of feeling anxious? Maybe your life looks good from the outside but inside you're overwhelmed and on edge. Your mind is spinning about everything you need to accomplish today or about events that may happen in the future. You're always worrying. Your chest is tight, your jaw is clenched, and your body feels uneasy all the time. You find yourself getting angry and impatient with the people you love most. Your persistent thoughts bully you and tell you you're not good enough. You’re struggling to hold it all together.

I work with children, adults, and parent-child dyads who are navigating life transitions, struggling with relationships, emotional regulation, and more. In particular, I love to support families through pregnancy, postpartum and parenting to move through the messy and magical time that are these early parenting years.

Whether you're struggling with work, relationships or life changes our time together can alleviate confusion and suffering. You may be struggling with trauma triggers, family of origin patterns, or social and cultural pressures. Sometimes life is simply uncertain and overwhelming. You can create a life of intention and authenticity moving beyond unconscious reactions to insight and meaning. You will be in a safe place to honestly tend to your feelings and needs. I work holistically and respect you as a whole person who is uniquely coping with what has happened to you.

As your therapist, I strive to empower you to overcome personal challenges, activate your inner resources, develop a deeper level of trust in your self and your inherent potential, and reclaim ownership of your life and purpose. I have an affinity for working with clients seeking to transform their lives and enhance their relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world. Improved emotional intelligence, mindful self-awareness, communication skills, trauma and grief processing---will support you in developing self-compassion, eliminating personal obstacles, coping with your daily life, and finding a more balanced, attuned, and connected way of being.

Are you feeling defeated in your life? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, family and relationship issues? With over 22 years of experience, I offer a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mind-body modalities to help you feel more empowered in your life. Together, we unwind the beliefs you hold onto that keep you stuck and limited. This allows you to make new choices in all areas of your life, enabling a state of peace, calm, and fulfillment. When you are no longer held back by a limited point of view, you are more flexible, open, and able to make positive changes.

Are you experiencing emotional pain that has become too amplified to sustain in silence? Perhaps the burdens you have been carrying for so long are finally too heavy to manage alone. Unresolved past experiences, loss, dysfunctional relationships, and negative self-criticism can hinder our ability to navigate the difficulties life throws our way. Let’s work together to create a therapeutic relationship built on hope and trust.

You’ve tried so many different ways to cope with the anxiety, the depression, the kid’s problems, your partners issues and still, you have nothing to show for it at this time. You’ve talked to the pediatrician and your primary caregiver and now you're contemplating whether you should take those antidepressants and look for another therapist since the last one didn't seem to understand what things are truly like for you. What you need is an expert who truly knows that it takes to love yourself, to be who you were meant to be. I am confident and guarantee that we can get you to where you want to be.

Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, stress, or family changes that are making every day life feel difficult or hard to manage? Do you notice your child struggling and you are unsure how to emotionally support them? Have you tried to solve the problems on your own and nothing seems to be working? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I'm glad you're here. Seeking help for your child, family struggles, or parenting issues can be difficult. I'm here to help.

There are times in our lives when we are presented with challenging circumstances. These experiences can be enormously difficult yet they also provide an opportunity for tremendous growth. The guidance and support of a trusted professional can be vital in regaining a sense of balance and ability to move forward in a positive way. What I have come to understand from my own life and education is that our suffering is often caused by losing connection to ourselves and others. With care and curiosity we can rebuild this sense of connection and foster the change necessary to create a healthy and meaningful life.

Being human can be wild, messy, beautiful, and painful. Whatever has brought you to therapy, it has taken courage and belief in yourself to arrive here. I honor your commitment to your own healing and growth. Suffering is part of the human condition, but there is no reason to suffer alone. Whether you're dealing with anxiety or depression, loss or overwhelming change, or stress due to work, family, or intimate relationships, therapy can help shift your perspective, clarify your deepest values and life goals, identify unhelpful thought patterns, and transform your experience of life.

I have over 15 years of experience working throughout California and internationally with youth ages 4 to 20 years old as a psychologist and consultant for schools and families with an array of presenting challenges and nuerodiversity. I provide strengths based counseling to support clients and empower families to reach their full potential. My services include individual therapy, crisis response, outdoor therapy (walk and talk), psychoeducational assessment and parent consultation. I embrace thinking "out of the box." I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Welcome to my practice! I specialize in working with children and provide counseling, parent consultation sessions, and psychoeducational evaluations. I worked in schools for 6 years as a school psychologist before beginning my private practice in 2016. I have particular expertise in areas such as Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, learning disabilities, autism spectrum, anxiety, and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Please note that I do not accept insurance.

My ideal client is someone who acknowledges their approach towards challenges is no longer working for them, and wants to change. This could be a couple, struggling with communication and wondering why the same fight happens over and over. This could also be an individual who can't seem to get out of their own way and struggling to understand themself. This may also be a parent having issues with overwhelm and frustration. People behave in ways that keep them disconnected from themselves and others, and I am here to assist you in clearing the debris of your past, so you can face the present and future fearlessly.

In-person and telehealth available. I am passionate about helping people heal themselves. It is common to experience anxiety, depression, stress or relationship issues and having someone to support and guide you on your life journey can make a positive change. I am genuine, compassionate, nonjudgemental and will meet you where you are. I especially enjoy working with adults through the life cycle, and supporting them through transitions such as young adulthood, relationships, parenting, mid-life and older age. I also specialize with individuals and families with children on the Autism spectrum, learning disabilities and ADHD.

Being a human can feel complicated and we all deserve to be held and supported through life’s transitions and difficulties. My first goal as a therapist is to create a nonjudgmental, nurturing, and safe environment that allows you to cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself, embrace change, and build a toolbox of coping skills. I use an integrative approach, choosing specific modalities based on your individual needs. I strive to foster an inclusive environment, welcoming people of color and LGBTQIA+ folks to my practice. I am also aligned with HAES (Health at Every Size) and honor body diversity.

As your therapist: I am curious, even intrigued, by your life. I am invested in your maintaining emotional stability and finding success in relationships and work. I support you as you make better choices – the most challenging phase of therapy. I offer true confidentiality and keep all records private. As my client: YOU bring to the session the concerns we discuss each week. We talk about tough issues when YOU are ready. YOU help me understand what old patterns brought you to therapy. YOU decide what changes you are willing to make. In essence, your commitment guarantees a great outcome.

Change happens all the time, big and small. Sometimes it's unexpected , and sometimes you make it happen. It can be challenging, exciting, and worth living for; at the same time, it can be scary and upsetting. Losing everyday predictability can lead to uncomfortable feelings. And yet, we're always growing and moving from one set of challenges to another; from child to adult to parent; from family life to an empty nest or being alone; from one job to another, or from active career to retirement; from being single to being committed to another, or from commitment to independence.