Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Invest in yourself and your loved ones; therapy is not just a mental health treatment sought when we are suffering from mental distress, or unable to conduct life as wanted. Therapy is also a self discovery process to get a greater and deeper knowledge about ourselves, which will allow to make better choices and become the person that we have wished. Having someone to accompany you in this path, with a professional perspective, non-judgmental listening and accurate interventions, will allow you to cope with painful circumstances, significant life changes / transitions, as well with symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and others.

Asking for help can be a monumental decision that requires a lot of courage. Finding the right therapist can be an equally difficult task. A therapeutic relationship needs to feel safe and collaborative, as it can serve as a foundation for healing. My goal is to assist you in accessing your internal strengths, exploring obstacles and working to overcome your challenges. Understanding what style or type of therapy you need can feel confusing. I will work with you to create a plan for treatment that is aligned with your needs and personality.

Your soul is ready to heal. Too many of us are suffering in isolation, with complex challenges and big feelings we were never meant to carry on our own. That's where therapy comes in. I love supporting people with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, co-dependance, and issues around self-worth and self-esteem. Bring me your grief, your sadness, your anxiety and your overwhelm. Bring me your wounded parts, and let's hold them close, together. Once you have a place where you feel seen, heard and held without judgment, you will naturally begin to heal. Allow me to be that place for you today.

I support clients who struggle with chronic depression, anxiety and relational issues by inviting them to look inwardly and incorporate their growing insight into daily life’s challenges. I believe the process of self-discovery is the realest gift of life, the path leading to our internal peace and freedom.

I am a holistic psychotherapist and will work to help you integrate mind, body and spirit. I believe we all have the propensity for health and wellness. Together we can work with your acute crisis or your desire to explore a deeper connection to self. Helping individuals (children, teens, adults), couples and families throughout the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay area....I look forward to meeting you, working with you and assisting you in achieving better mental health.

Welcome! My name is Heather Rodriguez, and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience working with teens, at-risk youth, adults, parents, and families. I help with issues like Depression, Anxiety, Sexual abuse/trauma, Sexual Identity, Stress, Grief, Trauma, Relationships, Self-Harm, and Coping Skills. I incorporate many modalities including Crisis Intervention, Solution Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I recognize that seeking therapy is a difficult decision, and I am proud of you for taking the first step!

The decision to seek help is the first step in creating the life you have always envisioned. Although difficult and often overwhelming, seeking support for the complexity of life's issues has the power to change your life for the better. My goal is to help you achieve your personal goals and create a life that is worth celebrating. Collaboratively, we will work to uncover unhealthy patterns and explore deep rooted issues that may be preventing you from experiencing a more fulfilling, peaceful, and meaningful life.

Hi there! My name's Sylvie and my pronouns are she/her and they/them. As a therapist, I am tender with people, tough on systems, and committed to our collective liberation. I've been a mental health worker for over eight years in schools, at a crisis center, and as a family therapist. I'm particularly experienced in and passionate about working with trauma in its many forms, and partnering with you to transform harm into what serves you, your beloved relationships, and the world you want to see. I offer individual counseling with youth and adults and relationship counseling with loved ones of all kinds.

I believe therapy is the development of a safe and trusting relationship between the facilitator and the participant. Therapy can be hard work and getting started can be scary, however making art, using play or being in nature can ease this process. As your therapist I will encourage you to use your creative imagination as a vehicle to understanding your inner turmoil, psychic pain or stagnancy. Along the way we will be implementing these effective tools in cultivating a more fulfilling life experience.

My therapeutic approach is rooted in my deep respect and genuine interest in people. Since I am an expressive and inquisitive person, it comes naturally to me to practice a style of therapy that is both interactive and eclectic. I offer insights, observations, suggestions, feedback, as well as attentive listening. I am adaptable and able to adjust my style according to what works best for the client. As a team, my clients and I work together to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles to growth and well-being.

Do you find yourself constantly meeting the needs of others, leaving little time and energy for your own well-being? I'm here to support you on your path to a more balanced, happy life. Therapy can be a sanctuary where you are the priority and your needs are truly heard. Together we’ll develop the tools you need to navigate the complexities of work-life balance, tricky family dynamics and parenting / caretaking struggles. In our sessions we'll uncover your strengths, sharpen your communication skills, and give you the confidence to embrace life's twists and turns. You'll be empowered to discover the answers you hold within.

By utilizing mindfulness based practices, ecotherapy, somatics and a collaborative, person centered approach, I can support you in moving through life’s challenges and centering your joy. My experience in the mental health field includes providing care for transition aged foster youth, LGBTQ Seniors and youth, and as a therapist in a healthcare setting. Through these experiences, I’ve developed a passion for working with teens, adults, and seniors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I approach therapy though a systems lens, and I can also support you in navigating social and political pressure on you and your community.

Since 1992, I have counseled families, adults and children. I am an EMDR Institute consultant and facilitator, and use EMDR therapy's adaptive information processing to help clients master the challenges encountered in their lives. I received my PhD in international psychology with trauma focus. My specialties include Trauma, Acculturation and Attachment Disorders in clients of all ages. My immigration experience from Germany has prompted the exploration of the crucial part played by our cultural roots in our decision making process and in our lifestyle choices. I speak English, Spanish and German.

I am a Jungian psychologist specializing in psychotherapy for depression. Also, I am a licensed psychologist and have been licensed in California since 2002. Jungian psychology can be an effective approach for dealing with a wide variety of psychological problems, but it is particularly effective in working with depression. In general, Jungian psychotherapy helps a person lead a deeper and more meaningful life. Oftentimes symptoms brought into psychotherapy, like depressive symptoms, have deeper, symbolic meanings that encourage a client to grow. Once the purpose of a symptom is understood, the symptom often decreases in severity, or goes away altogether.

It is such a privilege and an honor to work with people to improve their lives. I would love to talk to you about ways we can work together to strengthen your connections to others and help you increase your self awareness so that you are able to have the relationships and life you desire.

Entering into therapy can be a big decision and confusing process. I offer direction that can help you determine your best course for meaningful and effective change. Through attentiveness, compassion, and collaboration, I focus on helping individuals, couples, & children gain awareness of themselves, and provide an avenue that leads toward personal exploration and healing.

Starting therapy can feel exciting and intimidating—especially when trying to find the right fit for yourself, your child/teen, or your family. My heartfelt intent is to uplift people to find peace, compassion, and deep connection in life. Imagine breaking free from repetitive, scary, and hurtful thoughts & feelings; feeling secure, serene, & at home with yourself even on hard days; knowing you're capable, worthy, and connected to love. If you or your child struggle with isolation, hopelessness, unworthiness, people pleasing, or feeling "out of control" or “stuck” in areas of life, I would love to support you to thrive.

These are strange times. Finding the right therapist can be challenging. Finding some one you can feel comfortable with and who has the skills and experience you need. In my 15+ years in this field, I have worked with many common issues: life transitions, anxiety, depression, addiction, parenting, marriage and relationship difficulties and more. Years of study of a variety of therapeutic methods form my background and my thinking. In addition to my training, I bring creativity, honesty and humor to this hard and rewarding work.

Life can feel hard sometimes. You may be feeling stuck; struggling in your relationships or work, drowning in hopelessness, exhausted by the relentlessness of your thoughts or behaviors, overwhelmed by your worries, consumed by sadness or plagued by low self-esteem or poor body image. You know you can’t keep living this way. You want to have thriving relationships, confidence, joy and an ease to your days. You have the innate wisdom and knowing that will guide you towards healing, as I walk alongside you on this journey of self-exploration and empowerment. You have the potential to be whole, healthy and happy.