Sometimes we need extra help when facing particularly painful, overwhelming, or puzzling situations. By setting aside a dedicated time and place in which to bring your full attention (and mine) to the task of sorting out what pains or blocks you, you give yourself the best opportunity to craft the life you wish to live. In the company of a skilled practitioner, the process of therapy can help you work through old patterns and address the challenges at hand. You can experience a greater sense of meaning, purpose, and peace in your life and in your relationships.

We are a non-profit counseling agency with locations in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, & Monterey. We provide high quality, affordable psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Our fees are set on a sliding scale, based upon your income. Our services are provided by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Master's level Interns and Trainees who are under the supervision of a licensed therapist. We would love to answer any questions you may have, or schedule an appointment to meet with you. Simply call or send us an email today!

Could you use some support? Feeling stuck? Confused? I love this work and it is an honor to work in this way. I specialize in working with women who are experiencing transitions in their lives, grief, anxiety, codependency, and alcoholic family systems. I have degrees from CIIS and UCLA. Together, clients and I work to find relief, understanding, and emotional wellbeing.

My commitment to all my clients is to provide empathy, compassion, and curiosity in order to support authentic expression of feelings and needs. The path towards authentic expression is unique to the individual depending on their background, their experience with therapy and their specific therapeutic goals and so I offer various therapeutic interventions to support authentic self expression and healing. I value both the exploration of one's past as well as here and now functioning through mindfulness practice. Using a holistic approach and focusing on the client's strengths and insights, the journey towards wholeness begins.

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.

Grief is messy. One minute you feel numb; the next minute you are sobbing. Or maybe you feel relieved and then feel guilty for feeling relieved. You expect yourself to be sad but surprise yourself by feeling angry and then scared. It’s a wild ride. It’s unpredictable and unwieldy. It’s as unique as the relationship (or situation) that launched it. Most of us don’t “get over” our losses, but we can integrate them into our lives in a meaningful way that allows us to move forward with a sense of peace.

Sometimes in an effort to manage painful experiences in life, we end up getting stuck in roles and patterns that do not serve us. Sometimes we don't know where to start, but we know we want something else. I will listen with curiosity and compassion and offer support in your journey to understand what serves you now. I can help with anxiety, depression, history of abuse, lack of motivation and self-destructive habits among other issues. I have a strong interest in healing the effects of trauma so clients can increase their sense of empowerment in the world.

Life! It's perplexing and mysterious. Challenging and full of unexpected turns. Our fast-paced world presents us with demands that stress our coping abilities and make even the simplest of things seem overwhelming. But life can also be full of contentment and connection. When we acknowledge and explore what is upsetting, we have the potential to expand self-awareness and create a circle of compassion for ourselves and others. This leads to discovering our innate strength and resilience so that we are able to move forward, navigating choices that support the life we want to live.

We are all living through scary and intense times. Are you struggling with adjusting to life in-doors? Do you have children that are out of school, and you're not as calm and patient as your were before? Are your children overwhelmed and anxious/sad about missing their friends? Maybe you are worried about your community or the state of the world. Maybe you have always felt a little uneasy, but now it's unbearable. Let's get you the help you need.

With a passion for inspiring individuals to claim their own personal excellence, my expertise is in understanding interpersonal dynamics, and successfully coaching individuals, couples, families and groups into reaching their highest self. My background includes a degree in Organizational Communication, a ten year career as a Technical/Corporate Instructor, and six years providing coaching with a Master of Arts in MFT. Along with my private practice, I teach psychology and management classes for University Of Phoenix and am completing a book, Mental Health For Consumers. I look forward to our meeting and the potential of becoming part of your journey.

I am a compassionate, professional psychotherapist with an individualized way of treating each client. I believe each person has the strength inside themselves for change and healing. It is my role to identify your personal style and help you find the clarity you need to make necessary life changes. In doing so I utilize many theoretical approaches including; psychodynamic, existential/humanistic, solution focused and cognitive behavioral.

Suffering comes in many forms. It is personal and intimate and often times overwhelming and sometimes debilitating. But you don’t have to face it alone. Many people have sought my help for feelings of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and an out of balance work-life; others, for unresolved trauma , PTSD, and other stress-related disorders which keep people trapped in disregulated states of being; still others because they were unhappy with their life and the spark of their passion was dim.

I am not accepting new individuals at this time. I am accepting couples for therapy. A relationship is the most difficult act to maintain. I am comfortable with alternative types of relationships, as well as all people on the gender spectrum. We would be able to learn how to communicate in a way that brings you together and develops connection. I create a safe place for you to explore what you are feeling and experiencing.

I specialize in treating clients of all genders with attachment trauma, codependency and addiction, and mood disorders. I also have extensive experience supporting adolescents as they transition into adulthood. Initially, clients may or may not yet have language for what is going on. It may be more like a constellation of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that seem increasingly unsustainable. Isolation and shame often. Whether or not we arrive at a diagnosis, finding the words and reckoning honestly and compassionately with the pain is a large part of the healing work.

I am offering Telehealth services due to COVID-19. I became a therapist to help others live a fuller, happier life. My years as Marriage and Family Therapist, help me provide you with the skills you need to ease your emotional pain, build better relationships and change your life for the better. I am spiritual and my practice is based on empathy, deep understanding and compassion. I can also provide you with the coping skills to live a better happier life.

In my work with individuals, couples, children, teens and families I strive to create a warm, nurturing and compassionate environment for personal exploration and healing. In this space all parts of you are welcome. I see therapy as a collaboration where you and I partner to create an achievable plan to improve your relationships, increase your sense of vitality, and work towards your personal goals. In my work, I have witnessed how life's challenges can create emotional scars that then consciously or unconscious run our lives. These scars can manifest as a variety of mental health and relational issues.

Are you tired of feeling stressed and anxious? Feeling stuck or overwhelmed by it all? You are not your anxiety. However, at times, it certainly feels that it controls every aspect of your life. Your anxiety decides what you say or don’t say, it impacts the choices you make, and holds you back from doing the things you want to do. Some days, before you even open your eyes in the morning, you are already feeling anxious! You have done everything you can think of to find relief on your own. A part of you worries that you are plagued with this anxiety for life, while another part of you knows it can get better.

Dr. Dufford received specialized training and experience in treating anxiety disorders at the Anxiety Treatment Center with Dr. Bourne, author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Since 1993 Dr. Dufford is director of Anxiety Treatment Services treating Generalized Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety and related issues: addiction, anger, depression, Trichotillomania/Excoriation, relationships, sleep/insomnia, grief and self-esteem. He is a professional member of the California Psychological Association, Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and EMDR International Association. Dr. Dufford is certified as a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Expert in Traumatic Stress and Addictions Counselor.

My clients have told me that they appreciate my openness, curiosity, engaging style, and sense of humor. My style is warm and direct. I have specialized training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), which is an evidence-based practice shown to be effective in decreasing psychological distress caused by disturbing life experiences and trauma. I have a deep commitment to my continued education and engagement around issues related to race, power, and privilege and am dedicated to providing support for the LGBTQIA community, people of color, immigrants, and others who have been impacted by systemic oppression.