Therapists in San Luis Obispo County, CA
Gianna Merriam
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Atascadero, CA 93422
I commonly utilize therapy modalities such as Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Parent-Child Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused CBT, and EMDR.
Hello! My name is Gianna Merriam, LCSW. My therapeutic approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based. My areas of practice include working with children and families, individuals (all ages), and groups. I enjoy promoting use of self-compassion practices, functional communication and empathy to impact individual needs and relationships. Clients I typically work with can range from age 5-60. I have extensive experience working with school-aged children that receive IEP services; I am educated and able to support parents in navigating the school system as well as community based resources.
I commonly utilize therapy modalities such as Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Parent-Child Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused CBT, and EMDR.
Hello! My name is Gianna Merriam, LCSW. My therapeutic approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based. My areas of practice include working with children and families, individuals (all ages), and groups. I enjoy promoting use of self-compassion practices, functional communication and empathy to impact individual needs and relationships. Clients I typically work with can range from age 5-60. I have extensive experience working with school-aged children that receive IEP services; I am educated and able to support parents in navigating the school system as well as community based resources.
Summer Sessions Counseling
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, LPCC, LCSW, LCMHC, ACSW, AMFT
Verified Verified
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Finding a therapist can be difficult, and at Summer Sessions, we hope to cut down on the searching component of your journey. We know that the road "here," may have been difficult and we are here to support and listen. The goal of our team is to reflect our community with our own backgrounds and areas of expertise and support you. Whether experiencing a life stressor, ongoing anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma or more, you deserve support and we can help. Please see our website, www.SummerSessionsCounseling.org, for available providers and booking (www.therapyportal.com/p/summersessions/appointments/availability/)
Finding a therapist can be difficult, and at Summer Sessions, we hope to cut down on the searching component of your journey. We know that the road "here," may have been difficult and we are here to support and listen. The goal of our team is to reflect our community with our own backgrounds and areas of expertise and support you. Whether experiencing a life stressor, ongoing anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma or more, you deserve support and we can help. Please see our website, www.SummerSessionsCounseling.org, for available providers and booking (www.therapyportal.com/p/summersessions/appointments/availability/)
Central Coast Nurturing Minds
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Atascadero, CA 93422
Are you a parent, teen, or child struggling with anxiety, depression, communication issues, or life transitions? You're not alone. At Central Coast Nurturing Minds, our team of experienced therapists provides a supportive and compassionate environment to help you navigate life's challenges and reach your full potential.
Are you a parent, teen, or child struggling with anxiety, depression, communication issues, or life transitions? You're not alone. At Central Coast Nurturing Minds, our team of experienced therapists provides a supportive and compassionate environment to help you navigate life's challenges and reach your full potential.
Mary Tesoro
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Atascadero, CA 93422 (Online Only)
I know what it feels like to need, but not have, a strong and caring connection with an understanding other. I also know the level of healing and transformation that occurs when we have such a connection. This is the therapeutic relationship, and I deeply appreciate my role within it. Whether it be to move through suffering, heal from trauma or loss, face life challenges/transitions, increase insight, build resilience, or gain a richer sense of who you are --all of these things and many more are possible in a good therapeutic relationship. I am here for this.
I know what it feels like to need, but not have, a strong and caring connection with an understanding other. I also know the level of healing and transformation that occurs when we have such a connection. This is the therapeutic relationship, and I deeply appreciate my role within it. Whether it be to move through suffering, heal from trauma or loss, face life challenges/transitions, increase insight, build resilience, or gain a richer sense of who you are --all of these things and many more are possible in a good therapeutic relationship. I am here for this.
Vicki M Matthews
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, PCCI
Verified Verified
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Online Only)
Are you feeling a loss of joy in your life? Are you depressed, anxious, and emotional? Do you have problems with drugs or alcohol and suffering alone? I can help! I am a compassionate, empathetic and motivated Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling who wants to be a part of restoring the happiness in those struggling with life difficulties in my own community. I believe in a creative solution-focused and strength based approach to therapy. Together, I will help you identify fitting healing interventions; finding the source of your concerns and issues in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere.
Are you feeling a loss of joy in your life? Are you depressed, anxious, and emotional? Do you have problems with drugs or alcohol and suffering alone? I can help! I am a compassionate, empathetic and motivated Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling who wants to be a part of restoring the happiness in those struggling with life difficulties in my own community. I believe in a creative solution-focused and strength based approach to therapy. Together, I will help you identify fitting healing interventions; finding the source of your concerns and issues in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere.
Madai Zesati
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Atascadero, CA 93422
Hi there! My name is Madai Zesati and I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Ontario, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with teens, young adults, and older adults. I work collaboratively with each client, as well as providing a safe and supportive environment to help them get to a place of self-acceptance and find strength within to address life's challenges, by assisting them in realizing, cultivating, and accessing internal and external resources to make positive changes in life.
Hi there! My name is Madai Zesati and I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Ontario, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with teens, young adults, and older adults. I work collaboratively with each client, as well as providing a safe and supportive environment to help them get to a place of self-acceptance and find strength within to address life's challenges, by assisting them in realizing, cultivating, and accessing internal and external resources to make positive changes in life.
The Mindful Lemon
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Online Only)
Our mission is to provide quality online mental health and substance abuse services while breaking down the barriers of traditional, office based therapy. Traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment tends to focus on what makes you sick, what you are lacking but at The Mindful Lemon, our clinicians let you sit in the driver’s seat, focusing on your strengths and assets to help you become the best version of you! This can be via traditional talk therapy, medication management, mindfulness techniques, an emphasis on health, wellness and fitness or any combination of the above.
Our mission is to provide quality online mental health and substance abuse services while breaking down the barriers of traditional, office based therapy. Traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment tends to focus on what makes you sick, what you are lacking but at The Mindful Lemon, our clinicians let you sit in the driver’s seat, focusing on your strengths and assets to help you become the best version of you! This can be via traditional talk therapy, medication management, mindfulness techniques, an emphasis on health, wellness and fitness or any combination of the above.
Gisoo Mohandesi
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Hello, I am Gisoo Mohandesi, a licensed marriage and family therapist (License 10875), with over (10 years) of professional experience. As a professional, who is passionate about helping individuals, children, adolescents, and families, I believe that the way to help my clients cultivate well-being is to understand them as human beings and not just their struggles.I believe we are not defined by our hardships, but rather can learn how to use them towards building self-awareness and enhancing our strengths.
Hello, I am Gisoo Mohandesi, a licensed marriage and family therapist (License 10875), with over (10 years) of professional experience. As a professional, who is passionate about helping individuals, children, adolescents, and families, I believe that the way to help my clients cultivate well-being is to understand them as human beings and not just their struggles.I believe we are not defined by our hardships, but rather can learn how to use them towards building self-awareness and enhancing our strengths.
Jennifer Van Loy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Atascadero, CA 93422
My name is Jennifer Van Loy and I am a licensed clinical social worker with a background working with children, teens and adults. I have a non-judgmental, collaborative and strengths based perspective and will work alongside you to support your goals. I have a humanistic, secular (non-religious) approach that is informed by an understanding of how each person has unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. At times, each of us can feel overwhelmed by the demands on our time and energy or feel stuck in a role that no longer feels authentic.
My name is Jennifer Van Loy and I am a licensed clinical social worker with a background working with children, teens and adults. I have a non-judgmental, collaborative and strengths based perspective and will work alongside you to support your goals. I have a humanistic, secular (non-religious) approach that is informed by an understanding of how each person has unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. At times, each of us can feel overwhelmed by the demands on our time and energy or feel stuck in a role that no longer feels authentic.
Megan Mar
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Online Only)
Accepting New Clients! Life can be challenging sometimes! I know how hard it can be to reach out for support and I commend you for being here as this is often the first step toward healing! As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe in working collaboratively with you, walking along side you through whatever circumstances or difficulties you may be facing. My therapeutic treatment includes helping you identify your goals, individual strengths, and specific techniques you can utilize to navigate through life’s difficulties. It is my goal that you find empowerment, hope and healing as we walk this journey together.
Accepting New Clients! Life can be challenging sometimes! I know how hard it can be to reach out for support and I commend you for being here as this is often the first step toward healing! As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe in working collaboratively with you, walking along side you through whatever circumstances or difficulties you may be facing. My therapeutic treatment includes helping you identify your goals, individual strengths, and specific techniques you can utilize to navigate through life’s difficulties. It is my goal that you find empowerment, hope and healing as we walk this journey together.
Online Therapists
Shanda Barnett
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RPT
Verified Verified
Solvang, CA 93463 (Online Only)
I work with children, preteens, and teens, specializing in Play Therapy.
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 work with children, preteens, and teens, specializing in Play Therapy.
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.
Jessica Marroquin
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Delano, CA 93215
I enjoy utilizing art, play and talk therapies.
My name is Jessica Marroquin and I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am specialized in working with all ages from children as young as 5 to older adults. I take a client-centered approach in creating a safe enjoyable place where we can work together on developing new skills to tackle ways to improve your overall life functioning. I work with a variety of clients ranging from ages 0 to older adults. I am seasoned in working with young children, and families and feel comfortable with conducting individual and family sessions.
I enjoy utilizing art, play and talk therapies.
My name is Jessica Marroquin and I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am specialized in working with all ages from children as young as 5 to older adults. I take a client-centered approach in creating a safe enjoyable place where we can work together on developing new skills to tackle ways to improve your overall life functioning. I work with a variety of clients ranging from ages 0 to older adults. I am seasoned in working with young children, and families and feel comfortable with conducting individual and family sessions.
Makenna Lilya
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
I utilize themes of play, art techniques, behavioral strategies, traditional talk therapy, mindfulness, and techniques to promote change and insight.
Starting therapy can sometimes feel daunting. I am here to get to know you and support you through the highs, lows, and everything in between! Through my experiences in graduate school and into licensure, I have put my energy towards developing my skills and passion for working with families, children, individuals, and parents through a multitude of needs and diagnoses.I have worked extensively with children, families, teens, and young adults, and am certified in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
I utilize themes of play, art techniques, behavioral strategies, traditional talk therapy, mindfulness, and techniques to promote change and insight.
Starting therapy can sometimes feel daunting. I am here to get to know you and support you through the highs, lows, and everything in between! Through my experiences in graduate school and into licensure, I have put my energy towards developing my skills and passion for working with families, children, individuals, and parents through a multitude of needs and diagnoses.I have worked extensively with children, families, teens, and young adults, and am certified in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
Joan Romeo
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Hi there, I'm Joan, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have been working in mental health for nearly 20 years. I spent 15 years working with the most seriously mentally ill patients and in-crisis services. After I retired 2 years ago, I choose to do teletherapy in order to reach those populations that have been underserved. I take a holistic approach to therapy which includes nutrition, mindfulness, play, and self-care. My usual approach is to start with mindfulness and building coping skills and integrate CBT into the process.
Hi there, I'm Joan, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have been working in mental health for nearly 20 years. I spent 15 years working with the most seriously mentally ill patients and in-crisis services. After I retired 2 years ago, I choose to do teletherapy in order to reach those populations that have been underserved. I take a holistic approach to therapy which includes nutrition, mindfulness, play, and self-care. My usual approach is to start with mindfulness and building coping skills and integrate CBT into the process.
Kandie Brown
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Bakersfield, CA 93311 (Online Only)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. I follow a systemic approach to therapy and believe that to understand people and their challenges it is important to understand the systems and relationships they are a part of. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration and one that feels safe and supportive. I focus on the client’s strength and resiliency. I strive to help clients find tools to cope with life’s stresses.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. I follow a systemic approach to therapy and believe that to understand people and their challenges it is important to understand the systems and relationships they are a part of. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration and one that feels safe and supportive. I focus on the client’s strength and resiliency. I strive to help clients find tools to cope with life’s stresses.
Amber Dale
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Hi there, my name is Amber Dale, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist offering behavioral health services to children, teens, and adults. My specialties include anxiety disorders, child and adolescent therapy, women's issues and health, and self-esteem. My approach to therapy is meeting my clients exactly where they ate and walking alongside them to navigate through the challenges and transitions in life. I treat clients between the ages of 5 and 60 who experience issues including anxiety, postpartum depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
Hi there, my name is Amber Dale, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist offering behavioral health services to children, teens, and adults. My specialties include anxiety disorders, child and adolescent therapy, women's issues and health, and self-esteem. My approach to therapy is meeting my clients exactly where they ate and walking alongside them to navigate through the challenges and transitions in life. I treat clients between the ages of 5 and 60 who experience issues including anxiety, postpartum depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
Christie Chu
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Hello, my name is Christie Chu. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and a licensed professional counselor in Texas. I'm a mother of 11-year-old twins, and have a great deal of life experience dealing with many of the issues my patients face. I work with clients with mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I work with couples dealing with infertility, relational violence, Child Abuse, and LGBTQ issues. In addition, I I work with school issues and I am a credentialed school counselor.
Hello, my name is Christie Chu. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and a licensed professional counselor in Texas. I'm a mother of 11-year-old twins, and have a great deal of life experience dealing with many of the issues my patients face. I work with clients with mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I work with couples dealing with infertility, relational violence, Child Abuse, and LGBTQ issues. In addition, I I work with school issues and I am a credentialed school counselor.
Gianna Flores Heatherly
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT, CAMS-II
Verified Verified
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Offering Telehealth therapy and limited in-person apts. Do you struggle to engage in family and social relationships? Are you experiencing big life transitions and don’t know what to do? Is Anxiety, worry, nervousness, or intrusive thoughts getting the best of you? Are you feeling sad, unmotivated, and finding it hard to concentrate? Are you struggling with making sense of past trauma and unhealthy coping? If so, then I can assist in making sense of these concerns.
Offering Telehealth therapy and limited in-person apts. Do you struggle to engage in family and social relationships? Are you experiencing big life transitions and don’t know what to do? Is Anxiety, worry, nervousness, or intrusive thoughts getting the best of you? Are you feeling sad, unmotivated, and finding it hard to concentrate? Are you struggling with making sense of past trauma and unhealthy coping? If so, then I can assist in making sense of these concerns.
Hope Gibbons
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Bakersfield, CA 93311
My name is Hope Gibbons; I'm Native American/Hispanic and offer a culturally sensitive, empathetic, nonjudgmental compassionate approach to therapy. I hope to offer a space of acceptance, positive regard, and openness. I have experience working with many populations, particularly with trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and substance use. I strongly believe the client is the expert in their own treatment and the best narrator of their own story. I believe in the power of an individual's resilience and a desire to persevere.
My name is Hope Gibbons; I'm Native American/Hispanic and offer a culturally sensitive, empathetic, nonjudgmental compassionate approach to therapy. I hope to offer a space of acceptance, positive regard, and openness. I have experience working with many populations, particularly with trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and substance use. I strongly believe the client is the expert in their own treatment and the best narrator of their own story. I believe in the power of an individual's resilience and a desire to persevere.
Sandra Guillen
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Bakersfield, CA 93313
Hi, my name is Sandra Guillen. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California and have a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasize in Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Chapman University.  I believe therapy is most beneficial when the client feels heard and supported. This is why I prefer a client center approach when practicing therapy. My focus is in trauma work to include PTSD and complex trauma.
Hi, my name is Sandra Guillen. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California and have a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasize in Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Chapman University.  I believe therapy is most beneficial when the client feels heard and supported. This is why I prefer a client center approach when practicing therapy. My focus is in trauma work to include PTSD and complex trauma.
See more therapy options for San Luis Obispo County
Play Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behavior and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behavior.