Therapists in Santa Barbara, CA

I specialize in assessing and diagnosing various learning, social, emotional, behavioral and developmental disabilities in children, adolescents and adults. I provide comprehensive psychological evaluations in the following areas: forensic (civil and criminal), public safety, academic, cognitive, and medical. I am a qualified medical examiner (QME) and POST-certified. In addition to psychological evaluations, I can assist as a neutral and independent expert witness or consultant.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds, creating a treatment plan that is unique to you or your family. I incorporate a variety of evidence-based modalities and psychodynamic approaches to strengthen emotional regulation, build interpersonal skills, and address the impact of traumatic encounters. Through the therapeutic process, we will begin to establish safety and trust, explore unconscious beliefs, and enhance self-awareness and compassion. I have over 10 years of experience working in mental health and am passionate about the human experience and emotional well-being.

Hi, my name is Max Shaft and my passion is working with clients who may be feeling stuck, discouraged, or powerless but want to feel confident, free from limiting beliefs, and proud of who they are so that they can live up to their fullest potential.

Are you burdened by self-doubt, indecision, or worry? Is your body tense with anxiety more often than not? Perhaps you feel disconnected and disempowered at work or in your relationships. It doesn't have to stay this way. Real help is available. All it takes on your end is a desire to do the work of honest self-examination. My job is to make the process as safe, transparent, and judgment-free as possible. You don't need pressure or critique to change. The fact that you are reading this means that the part of you that desires change is alive and well.

In 2020, I opened a private practice. I was blessed it grew to full capacity but dealt with sadness of turning people away due to no space. Frequently people shared their difficulties with finding therapy. I am tired of people and families, who are suffering emotionally not getting the help they need. So, I put together a group of several skilled clinicians. We operate by providing a therapy environment that is confidential and emotionally safe. We’re dedicated to making people feel comfortable and understood when discussing the most sensitive issues. Our goal is to ensure support that is empathetic and non-judgmental.

Now that you have PTSD from drowning in a sea of therapist marketing profiles, I’m here to help! Hit me up if you’re a high conflict couple and you’re fighting too much, or an individual and you’re fighting with (parts of?) yourself (or others?) in your head too much. I’m foundationally "humanistic-existentialist", meaning I join you on your journey with curiosity/authenticity/empathy, and help you become more confidently you through a relational process. But I'm trained in lots of acronyms: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

I am a clinical psychotherapist with a Jungian orientation. I work well with intuitive, feeling, creative types; high functioning individuals who can present really well, and whose problems aren’t very apparent to others. I treat anxiety and depression; both long-term conditions and new unexpected episodes due to stage of life transitions and life stressors. (eg Covid related, relationships, job loss, co-occuring medical conditions). I have treated addiction and substance use issues in both residential and intensive outpatient settings. I also work as an educator & mental health consultant (see: parent consultation for child).

It is ...."The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are" C.G. Jung. Life is about relationship and they can sometimes be complicated to navigate. If you are experiencing personal conflict, trauma, or have experienced significant changes in your life; I am available to help you through challenges. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and currently finishing my Doctorate in Depth-Psychology at PGI. My emphasis is Psychoanalysis/Jungian Psychology, and I am a practitioner of EMDR. In addition I hold a board certification as a PTSD-Clinician and certified in Psychological First-Aid (PFA).

My goal as a therapist is to provide a comfortable setting that allows you to get the greatest benefit from our work together. In addition to traditional office sessions, I offer flexible solutions including phone, teletherapy, or home visits. Emotional issues can trigger or make a significant contribution to anxiety, skin conditions, skin picking issues and hair pulling (trichotillomania) issues. Relaxation, visualizations, and a mixture of cognitive behavioral therapy and body-focused psychotherapy can make the difference. You can take more control by discovering how to manage your emotional triggers and by developing strategies to alleviate anxiety, skin issues, skin picking, and hair pulling.

As a bilingual and bicultural licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), I provide teletherapy services aimed at strengthening family relationships and overcoming emotional and behavioral challenges. I follow attachment-based and somatic-based approaches to give individuals, couples, families and children developmentally appropriate and effective healing interventions to teach, support and treat a wide range of mental health difficulties. I recently hired 3 wonderful Associate Marriage and Family Therapists and Associate Clinical Socila Workers.

Thank you for considering beginning psychotherapy with me. My Ph.D. is in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. My training has allowed me to help people resolve problems where they have been otherwise unsuccessful. I have developed many innovative and evidence-based treatments that may be of interest to you or your loved ones.

Are you ready for a positive change? Tired of doing the same thing and expecting different results? While we cannot change our past, or our genetic predispositions, we can learn to change the way we respond and react to our emotions and triggers; in order to give them less power and control in our lives. Learning about your unique experiences, needs and goals, and responding with caring and empathy, I will walk with you in exploring the barriers that you feel are hindering you, and provide therapeutic support, counseling and tools to help you acheive your goals.

If you are facing difficulty in life (as we all have) I believe in getting the support and care you deserve. I have extensive knowledge in anxiety/depression, relationship issues, addiction/recovery, couples work and Alzheimer's disease / dementia. I also love working with children and teens (and even have two of my own)! I look at the issues we face in a whole-person approach and believe in exploring all aspects of a client's health including mindfulness, nutrition, and exercise.

I am passionate about working with teens and young adults as they learn how to manage anxiety, depression and life's daily struggles. My practice focuses on a variety of relationship issues including intimate partner relationships, family dynamics, and friendships. My therapeutic approach is person centered and influenced by attachment theory.

My name is Amy Hamilton, a licensed therapist who specializes in providing guidance and support to children, teens, and families facing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges. My extensive experience encompasses assisting young individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, as well as navigating complex issues such as attachment difficulties, family dynamics, and the traumatic effects of bullying. Moreover, I am adept at working with children and adolescents experiencing behavioral obstacles, including those within the autism spectrum.

My passion is helping children, adolescents and families overcome trauma, divorce, depression, anxiety, self-doubt and addiction. I welcome individuals and families to a safe nonjudgmental space with the goal of providing each client long lasting healing, personal growth and happiness. My therapeutic approach incorporates traditional talk therapy techniques complemented by therapeutic activities such as art, play, mindfulness exercises and music. I offer a holistic approach, this puts the client and their individual needs at the center of their treatment plan, while honoring the whole body; physically, emotionally and mentally.

Do you see your own issues, but can't seem to think or "will" yourself into more productive behavior? Perhaps you have a wonderful mate and family, but you are stuck in the same old arguments and frustrations, and you know your family's communication could be better. Maybe you feel angry, or sad, and you just don't know why. Perhaps you are hoping to come to terms with something very unfortunate that has happened to you, either recently or long ago. If you want to feel better about yourself and others, you have come to the right place.

We offer confidential psychological counseling and assessment services to individuals, couples and families in the greater Santa Barbara area. Experienced counselors are here to help clients explore life transitions, relationship issues and a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, abuse, compulsive behaviors, substance use, job loss and stress, aging, isolation and anger management. Many clients experience a 15% reduction in overall distress after only eight sessions. Counselors are ready and able to serve you. We will match your needs with the education and experience of our clinicians to find the best person to assist you.

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.