Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Trauma. Depression. Anxiety. Inattention. These are all natural responses to the challenges of life. These challenges are daunting on their own, and can feel insurmountable because of how the world treats gender, race, sexuality and learning differences. I'm a therapist at the intersection of multiple identities (queer, non-binary, Japanese American, Jewish). I use mindfulness-based therapies to help clients live in the present moment and find liberation from the impact of family history and systemic discrimination.

I am so glad that you made it here - my name is Jesse Carmen-Hay, and I am a LCSW in the state of California. I work with those who are struggling with eating disorders and body image concerns, anxiety, depression, life transitions, codependency, interpersonal issues, mood disorders, and more. I have extensive experience working with the LGBTQ+ community. I also offer couples and sex therapy services if that is something you are looking for. I use an individualized approach as no two people are the same and I seek to meet my clients where they are at.

We’re finding ourselves living in a fragmented world, trying to hold it together when the nature of things is to fall apart. How can we feel whole within so much fragmentation? The big questions arise: Who am I now? What matters to me? How do I enliven myself within these restrictions? We are all grieving, mourning lost friends, illusions of safety, illusions of control and predictability, opportunities gone that will never return. Are you sadder? Sadder and wiser but more adrift? Are past traumas holding you back? Right now is the time to get more support as you grapple with your life's meaning and purpose.

Psychotherapy is essentially a collaborative process where the feedback between the therapist and the person is without any sense of judgement or agenda.Therapy is about what works from the perspective of each person's unique personal experience. It allows for a fluid perspective to be understood and worked through. I am an active participant, providing descriptions along with mutually agreed upon insights and interpretations. I believe that the essential process within oneself and in a therapeutic setting should always contain compassion, understanding, respect and empathy. The goal is to develop a positive relationship with oneself and with others.

I believe in the inherent worthiness of all human beings. Unfortunately, each of us likely have experiences in our lives that teach us that there is something wrong with who we at the core. Psychotherapy is a space for remembering and unearthing the self-love and gifts that each of us come into this life possessing. Through relating authentically, being compassionately curious with whatever arises, and developing a deeper relationship with the body’s intelligence, I hope to help my clients become more expressed in who they truly are, build lasting, meaningful relationships and connect more deeply to their purpose for being alive.

As a highly qualified and compassionate associate marriage and family therapist, I am committed to providing exceptional care to children and their families. With a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in marriage and family counseling from Pepperdine University, and an undergraduate degree from Boston University, I have extensive knowledge and experience in counseling and working with children. My passion for working with children is the driving force behind my therapeutic approach, which is deeply rooted in a neurobiological perspective.

I have the privilege of helping people facing difficult periods in their lives. I help clients navigate stress, anxiety, life transitions, and loss that is getting in the way of feeling at ease and living the life they really want.