Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Welcome! The challenges of everyday living can seem overwhelming. Life at times presents us with struggles and setbacks, but sometimes the same problems will keep on recurring unless you make a change. Therapy can help you find the underlying causes of why you feel the way you do and finally move towards relief. I would be honored to work together with you on your journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. My therapy style offers a safe, warm and compassionate environment while encouraging my clients to recognize their strengths and weaknesses within themselves.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

I am accepting new patients via Telemedicine as the need for mental health support is stronger today than ever. My style is grounded in empathy, listening, and compassion, with a dash of humor central to building a trusting alliance. I work with adults and couples; my doctoral project focused on treating violent couples in highly conflictual relationships in a conjoint setting examining the role of aggression and masochism in relationships. Another area of my expertise is working with individuals and families who are struggling with addiction and addiction-related predicaments.

I am a depth-trained and results-oriented psychotherapist. My goal is to help you gain self-awareness and teach psychological tools for personal growth and healing in and beyond therapy. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, a difficult life transition, creative blocks, unhealthy behaviors that you can’t seem to change, or challenges regarding your neurodiversity or sexuality, I will help you use them as opportunities for positive and sustainable transformation. I provide online therapy to individuals, couples, and families using psychoanalytic, somatic, coaching, evidence-based, and psycho-spiritual approaches.

If you are looking for long-term change and a team of highly effective therapists, look no further. We believe that therapy begins with finding the right fit with the perfect therapist who takes a collaborative and holistic approach. Our team incorporates techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and motivational therapy. Please contact Shannon Kalberg, LMFT to book a free 20-minute phone consultation.

When I begin a session with a new client, I want to present myself as a real person. I want to create a situation where the client feels comfortable being him/herself and communicating whatever is going on. I will observe closely, being as present as possible. I will listen carefully and respond when appropriate. I may ask questions or make interpretations about what we talk about, but most importantly I want the client to feel free to say whatever is on his/her mind. I want to establish a trusting relationship so we can begin to work on this person’s issues.

Are past traumatic experiences, being an adult child of a dysfunctional home, incest survival experiences, addiction issues, phobia, panic, anxiety, C-PTSD or depression affecting your success? Are distractions impacting your optimal performance abilities at work, in your intimate relationships, or in relationships with family members or with yourself? Are you surviving instead of thriving? I provide accelerated Psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are challenged by performance loss and emotional unhappiness. Also offer Diagnosis evaluation for addiction, mood, personality, and adult Autism spectrum. HSP and Kink friendly.

I meet every day with people who are overcoming worry, depression, dissatisfaction and conflict to find greater joy, and fulfillment in their life. My specialties include working with depression/anxiety, OCD/ADD, personality disorders, and addiction. I also have expertise in working with the LGBTQQI community. My approach to psychotherapy is practical and interactive, providing the support and insight to help you resolve current issues and historical patterns. Through empathy and direct communication, I assist you in finding the solutions to life's adversities, challenges, and mental health.

Dedicated to empowering couples and individuals, I specialize in addressing relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, and sexual dysfunctions. Whether you're seeking deeper connection, understanding in your partnership, or navigating personal challenges around sexuality and intimacy, my practice offers a supportive space for growth and healing. Embracing the LGBTQ+ community, polyamorous individuals, sex workers, and BDSM/kink explorers, I'm here to support your journey towards fulfilling relationships and sexual wellness. Together, let's unlock the path to deeper fulfillment and joy.

One of the most difficult roads to navigate consciously is the path to one's life journey. Do you know where you are going to? Where will your road take you, and who is in the driver's seat? Endless questions arise. How does one listen to one's soul and deepen a better understanding of oneself? Does your soul yearn for acknowledgement, self-inquiry, self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-care, and fulfillment? Are you struggling to find meaning and purpose? Do you feel stuck, powerless, and yet seek a fuller expression of your artistry and creativity? Do you seek freedom and independence, as well as intimacy, connection, and healing?

Are you having concerns related to anxiety, depression or sexuality, either individually or as a couple? Are you a parent or teen who is having challenges at home/school? Are you an intern looking for supervision for Licensure? If any of this applies to you, I would be happy to discuss if I could be of any help to you. Please feel free to email or call me with questions.

Struggling with conflicts within yourself and with others? To help you recover and gain a sense of healthy self-esteem, I have specialized techniques for dealing with complex trauma, PTSD, sexual issues, addiction, relationship issues, disordered eating, and grief. Sometimes we need to talk it out. Not for sympathy, but to find truth that guides us to our purpose and peace within ourselves. Discover satisfaction in every aspect of your life. I can teach you to avoid pain, change behavior patterns, and dialogue for more creative, productive, and healing solutions.

My dedication to my clients comes from a well deep with purpose. I enjoy working with clients in the age range of 30-55 who are experiencing burnout and may feel emotionally and physically exhausted due to prolonged stress, demanding responsibilities, or dissatisfaction in various aspects of their lives. Going through a midlife crisis due to life transitions such as divorce, grief and loss or trauma, you might be questioning life choices, and seeking meaning or change in your personal or professional spheres. These situations can benefit from self-reflection, professional support and guidance.

I focus on three dimensions in my psychotherapeutic work. The first is awareness and insight into our development as individuals and how this development has shaped our current functioning. There are no perfect parents nor perfect family experience without unmet needs and injuries (purposeful or unintentional). In understanding what we had to do to maintain critical attachments and equally critical separation and autonomy growing up, we discover that who we are is not fixed and irrevocable. We begin to see that we now have a choice to see ourselves and the world in new healthier ways and function differently in our current life.

I understand that seeking therapy may be a very difficult process, however what you can gain from the process is limitless. If you are feeling stuck and interested in making some changes in your life or just need some support right now, this may be a good time to give therapy a try. It's very important to feel safe and connected to your therapist and I encourage you to shop around for the "best-fit." I welcome you to contact me in order to determine whether we would be a good match.

——Currently accepting new clients—— Working with me is easy. We’ll have a conversation, but one that puts you into deeper touch with yourself: your thoughts, your feelings, your goals, your unhealed wounds. Together, we’ll walk through these and we’ll figure out what in your life is stopping you from feeling as good as you can. Then we’ll walk through the steps of healing and overcoming these.

As a therapist, I value and create a safe, nurturing, and empathic environment for individuals, couples, and families to explore underlying issues to relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and addictions. I am trained & certified in EMDR, which helps a person to quickly move through recent and past trauma and successfully overcome symptoms related to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). We'll work together to help you find a healthy balance between body, mind, and emotions that allow for success in relationships and work, self-empowerment, and to live a life full of hope, meaning, and purpose.

Let's face it- Whatever you are going through and whatever is bringing you to seek a therapist, it is probably not fun. Whether it is a break up, a divorce, a job loss, a death of a loved one, you have come to the right place. Seeking therapy and gaining self awareness can be life changing. Whether it is a current life crisis or the desire to change old ugly repetitive patterns, my style is nurturing, directive and fun. I work with you as a team getting to the core of the problem, and to help you move forward, hopefully with a fresh and new perspective.

Two Chairs was founded in 2017 with a mission to build a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental healthcare. We're creating a better experience for both patients and clinicians by starting with an in-depth, research-backed matching process to ensure the ideal patient-therapist fit, offering hybrid care that gives patients and clinicians flexibility between in-person and virtual sessions, and measuring outcomes to ensure patients get better faster.