Transgender Therapists in Scotts Valley, CA
Kara R Kasteen
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
I OFFER TELEHEALTH SESSIONS. My goal as a therapist is to help you move through challenges and get to a better place in life. Changing the past may not be possible but we can focus on how to make your future more fulfilling. If you're looking for support and direction through a difficult situation or you're ready to make changes in how you live your life, please feel free to email me for the fastest response.
I OFFER TELEHEALTH SESSIONS. My goal as a therapist is to help you move through challenges and get to a better place in life. Changing the past may not be possible but we can focus on how to make your future more fulfilling. If you're looking for support and direction through a difficult situation or you're ready to make changes in how you live your life, please feel free to email me for the fastest response.
Maria Cecilia M Balala
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, MS, MBA
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Life can be hard at times especially while navigating it alone. Maria understands the importance of having a therapist that provides a safe place to process during these difficult times. She is dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families cope with life challenges with compassion and empathy. She uses evidence-based therapy such as CBT, DBT, solution focused, narrative, and emotion focused, depending on what they need. It has been incredibly fulfilling for her to see clients make progress and reach their goals for therapy.
Life can be hard at times especially while navigating it alone. Maria understands the importance of having a therapist that provides a safe place to process during these difficult times. She is dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families cope with life challenges with compassion and empathy. She uses evidence-based therapy such as CBT, DBT, solution focused, narrative, and emotion focused, depending on what they need. It has been incredibly fulfilling for her to see clients make progress and reach their goals for therapy.
Heather Franks
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, #109884
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
I support clients to live happy and meaningful lives and help them make changes that bring about well-being and transformation. I have a passion to support individuals, couples and families through many different life transitions (from adjusting to college, marriage, divorce, births, loss, retirement, coping with illness, and caregiving). I help clients with a range of relationship issues—from marriage/romantic partner conflict, communication issues in relationships, resolving issues in friendships, co-parenting, parent-child issues, loss of relationship & grief work, contemplation of separation, and exploring unhealthy patterns.
I support clients to live happy and meaningful lives and help them make changes that bring about well-being and transformation. I have a passion to support individuals, couples and families through many different life transitions (from adjusting to college, marriage, divorce, births, loss, retirement, coping with illness, and caregiving). I help clients with a range of relationship issues—from marriage/romantic partner conflict, communication issues in relationships, resolving issues in friendships, co-parenting, parent-child issues, loss of relationship & grief work, contemplation of separation, and exploring unhealthy patterns.
Dawn Marie Wingert
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Waitlist for new clients
You deserve to be respected as a unique individual, regardless of your age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I believe that each and every person that comes to counseling has a unique life experience and unique concerns that they bring into the counseling room. My goal is to meet each client where they are, and work along side them to help them achieve the goals they have come to counseling hoping to achieve. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families, drawing from a variety of research-based treatment modalities based on the needs of the particular client.
You deserve to be respected as a unique individual, regardless of your age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I believe that each and every person that comes to counseling has a unique life experience and unique concerns that they bring into the counseling room. My goal is to meet each client where they are, and work along side them to help them achieve the goals they have come to counseling hoping to achieve. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families, drawing from a variety of research-based treatment modalities based on the needs of the particular client.
Gaia Somasca
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
Are you feeling stuck like stagnating water of a creek that no longer flows? Or are you struggling in your relationships? Certain seasons test us to our core. My experience as a therapist and as a client shows me that we have the capacity to recover our vitality. I am here to support your journey of healing and growth. Even after traumas, losses, oppression, and experiences that are too painful for our bodies and spirits to carry alone, there is a path of healing that can re-energize your life and spirit. While you are the expert on your life, I am here to facilitate awareness, self-compassion and inner shifts. Your new life awaits!
Are you feeling stuck like stagnating water of a creek that no longer flows? Or are you struggling in your relationships? Certain seasons test us to our core. My experience as a therapist and as a client shows me that we have the capacity to recover our vitality. I am here to support your journey of healing and growth. Even after traumas, losses, oppression, and experiences that are too painful for our bodies and spirits to carry alone, there is a path of healing that can re-energize your life and spirit. While you are the expert on your life, I am here to facilitate awareness, self-compassion and inner shifts. Your new life awaits!
Cassia Bloom
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
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.
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.
Sara Miller
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Therapy is much more than just "feeling better." It is about the process of understanding how you think, how you feel, and how you can discover the resiliency you have within yourself. As a therapist, it is always an honor to have my clients place their trust in me as I watch them grow. I work with issues including depression, anxiety disorders, cutting, and suicidal ideation. I also love to use my art therapy credential into sessions when appropriate because let's be honest, sitting on a couch talking about feelings is not for everyone!
Therapy is much more than just "feeling better." It is about the process of understanding how you think, how you feel, and how you can discover the resiliency you have within yourself. As a therapist, it is always an honor to have my clients place their trust in me as I watch them grow. I work with issues including depression, anxiety disorders, cutting, and suicidal ideation. I also love to use my art therapy credential into sessions when appropriate because let's be honest, sitting on a couch talking about feelings is not for everyone!
Ashleigh R Kramer-Walthall
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (Online Only)
My focus is to help adult individuals heal, recover, and feel empowered. I specialize in treatment for those recovering from eating disorders, trauma, depression, intimacy and attachment disorders, and codependency. Additionally, I provide gender-affirming care. It is my philosophy that each one of us has our own wisdom and capacity to heal. I am of the belief that no one is broken, nothing is missing, and people do not need to be fixed. Instead we need to learn the skills to trust ourselves and strengthen our ability to extend compassion inward so that we can recognize that we have been complete within all along.
My focus is to help adult individuals heal, recover, and feel empowered. I specialize in treatment for those recovering from eating disorders, trauma, depression, intimacy and attachment disorders, and codependency. Additionally, I provide gender-affirming care. It is my philosophy that each one of us has our own wisdom and capacity to heal. I am of the belief that no one is broken, nothing is missing, and people do not need to be fixed. Instead we need to learn the skills to trust ourselves and strengthen our ability to extend compassion inward so that we can recognize that we have been complete within all along.
Shawn Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, CADCII, PCI
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
I believe that compassion and collaboration are key to a therapuetic relationship. Through the identification of each persons strengths and resources we are all capable of navigating life's challenges and it is my role to assist in the identification and effective utilization of these strengths and resources. If you are suffering from with ADHD, Depression, Conduct Disorder, Parenting issues, Criminal Behavior, adult and adolescent Bi-polar Disorder, addiction, or the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse please contact me by text, phone or email at 831-588-7063. I have helped many individuals, couples, and families and perhaps I can help you.
I believe that compassion and collaboration are key to a therapuetic relationship. Through the identification of each persons strengths and resources we are all capable of navigating life's challenges and it is my role to assist in the identification and effective utilization of these strengths and resources. If you are suffering from with ADHD, Depression, Conduct Disorder, Parenting issues, Criminal Behavior, adult and adolescent Bi-polar Disorder, addiction, or the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse please contact me by text, phone or email at 831-588-7063. I have helped many individuals, couples, and families and perhaps I can help you.
Rebecca Roth
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Sometimes life presents us with difficult, painful, or even seemingly unbearable challenges. Sometimes we, ourselves, can be a source of the pain and challenges. Either way, we must be able to access our resources -- inner and outer -- to cope with the pain, the imbalance, the overwhelm, the stuckness ... and, ultimately, to learn, heal, and grow from our experiences..... My job is to help you best utilize resources you already have and to offer you more tools to help you change undesirable patterns in yourself and your life.
Sometimes life presents us with difficult, painful, or even seemingly unbearable challenges. Sometimes we, ourselves, can be a source of the pain and challenges. Either way, we must be able to access our resources -- inner and outer -- to cope with the pain, the imbalance, the overwhelm, the stuckness ... and, ultimately, to learn, heal, and grow from our experiences..... My job is to help you best utilize resources you already have and to offer you more tools to help you change undesirable patterns in yourself and your life.
Helen Giffrow
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (Online Only)
These are turbulent times that place an extra burden on our mental health. In addition, perhaps you're in a role of caring for others and struggle to find enough time for yourself, or you're in the midst of a challenging life event or transition. You may be experiencing some symptoms that concern you. Stress, anxiety, depression, loss, or unresolved trauma can interfere with moving forward and put stress on our relationships. In my role as your witness and collaborator, I offer a comfortable and safe space for you to process, problem solve, and explore ways to re-connect with your own internal wisdom.
These are turbulent times that place an extra burden on our mental health. In addition, perhaps you're in a role of caring for others and struggle to find enough time for yourself, or you're in the midst of a challenging life event or transition. You may be experiencing some symptoms that concern you. Stress, anxiety, depression, loss, or unresolved trauma can interfere with moving forward and put stress on our relationships. In my role as your witness and collaborator, I offer a comfortable and safe space for you to process, problem solve, and explore ways to re-connect with your own internal wisdom.
Rebecca Leib
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
I believe in a collaborative therapeutic partnership, one that is supportive, alleviates emotional pain, and promotes growth and healing. My goal is to provide you and your family with the tools to create and maintain life-affirming change in order to lead a more balanced and empowered life.
I believe in a collaborative therapeutic partnership, one that is supportive, alleviates emotional pain, and promotes growth and healing. My goal is to provide you and your family with the tools to create and maintain life-affirming change in order to lead a more balanced and empowered life.
Kaleo Kalani Kaluhiwa
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Are you in emotional pain, numbed out, or in conflict and want to change that? We all learn patterns of relating to ourselves, others, and the world that may no longer work. This can show up as relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, grief, emptiness, confusion, or a lack of direction and meaning. I help folks experience more ease, joy, connection and the ability to live the life of their dreams. I am a relational therapist, curious and compassionate. I facilitate exploration, healing and growth, as we uncover your powerful, authentic self from which you are able to live your best life and contribute your unique gifts.
Are you in emotional pain, numbed out, or in conflict and want to change that? We all learn patterns of relating to ourselves, others, and the world that may no longer work. This can show up as relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, grief, emptiness, confusion, or a lack of direction and meaning. I help folks experience more ease, joy, connection and the ability to live the life of their dreams. I am a relational therapist, curious and compassionate. I facilitate exploration, healing and growth, as we uncover your powerful, authentic self from which you are able to live your best life and contribute your unique gifts.
Jen Sims
Counselor, MA, LPCC, RPT
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95060
Waitlist for new clients
I use non-directive play therapy to help children and their families process emotions, work through change, heal from traumatic experiences and dream up new and daring ways to be in the world. Why play therapy? It works! This evidence based practice creates an ideal environment for growth by allowing children to engage their whole brains. During play, a child can express themselves in ways they can't through verbal language. A dragon slayed in the playroom becomes a dragon slayed in real life. Play therapy allows both your child and you figure out what's really going on and how to help.
I use non-directive play therapy to help children and their families process emotions, work through change, heal from traumatic experiences and dream up new and daring ways to be in the world. Why play therapy? It works! This evidence based practice creates an ideal environment for growth by allowing children to engage their whole brains. During play, a child can express themselves in ways they can't through verbal language. A dragon slayed in the playroom becomes a dragon slayed in real life. Play therapy allows both your child and you figure out what's really going on and how to help.
Amy Schmidt
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, EMDR
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
I help people with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, lack of purpose or meaning, addiction &/or alcoholism and many other challenges. I use my knowledge and experience combined with empathy and compassion to support your therapeutic journey. I want to help you better understand yourself, develop coping skills for improved daily living and healthier relationships, and achieve a greater sense of inner peace. I use holistic techniques and client-centered therapy to support you in finding self-awareness, self-compassion, and balance, all of which are keys to the growth and healing process.
I help people with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, lack of purpose or meaning, addiction &/or alcoholism and many other challenges. I use my knowledge and experience combined with empathy and compassion to support your therapeutic journey. I want to help you better understand yourself, develop coping skills for improved daily living and healthier relationships, and achieve a greater sense of inner peace. I use holistic techniques and client-centered therapy to support you in finding self-awareness, self-compassion, and balance, all of which are keys to the growth and healing process.
Rebecca Zalona
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
Whether challenged by relationships, life transitions, overcoming limiting self beliefs - we all have an ideal version of ourself we would like to live up to. Anxiety, depression, unprocessed trauma from the past can plague our present. How free do you want to be? Let's collaborate to uncover and discover your own inherent strength. The therapeutic process involves unpacking and exploring the barriers stopping us from living our most fulfilling dynamic life. As a clinician, I bring accountability, structure, humor, and enthusiasm - you just bring your whole self and we are sure to have a therapeutic experience.
Whether challenged by relationships, life transitions, overcoming limiting self beliefs - we all have an ideal version of ourself we would like to live up to. Anxiety, depression, unprocessed trauma from the past can plague our present. How free do you want to be? Let's collaborate to uncover and discover your own inherent strength. The therapeutic process involves unpacking and exploring the barriers stopping us from living our most fulfilling dynamic life. As a clinician, I bring accountability, structure, humor, and enthusiasm - you just bring your whole self and we are sure to have a therapeutic experience.
Anthony Ross
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95060
Waitlist for new clients
As a good friend of mine often says, “it’s hard to be human.” We are given all kinds of messages that life “should” be certain ways and that we “should” be happy 100% of the time. I think this causes us much more suffering than necessary. We wouldn’t be who we are today without the challenges we have faced. How do we make the best of these challenges, grow, and move forward with more strength, resiliency, and joy? Welcome, my background began in health education and morphed into community mental health for many years, predominantly working with queer and trans youth, their families, and communities.
As a good friend of mine often says, “it’s hard to be human.” We are given all kinds of messages that life “should” be certain ways and that we “should” be happy 100% of the time. I think this causes us much more suffering than necessary. We wouldn’t be who we are today without the challenges we have faced. How do we make the best of these challenges, grow, and move forward with more strength, resiliency, and joy? Welcome, my background began in health education and morphed into community mental health for many years, predominantly working with queer and trans youth, their families, and communities.
Patricia Toscano
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Hello! I’m Patricia Toscano. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I’ve been providing counseling to BIPOC for the past 12 years. When I first began my career, I never thought I’d become an expert at trauma, violence, and relationship issues. My career path has afforded me the privilege to help people with intimate relationship issues and concerns with violence and trauma. My ability to be fluent in Spanish and to understand the various factors related to the living experience of BIPOC has granted me the opportunity to guide my client’s in a better understanding of their lives and to help them come to a resolution.
Hello! I’m Patricia Toscano. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I’ve been providing counseling to BIPOC for the past 12 years. When I first began my career, I never thought I’d become an expert at trauma, violence, and relationship issues. My career path has afforded me the privilege to help people with intimate relationship issues and concerns with violence and trauma. My ability to be fluent in Spanish and to understand the various factors related to the living experience of BIPOC has granted me the opportunity to guide my client’s in a better understanding of their lives and to help them come to a resolution.
Hannah Idalia
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CMT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (Online Only)
Your healing can start today! In addition to being an LMFT, my approach extends beyond talk therapy to include holistic/integrative methods. I help individuals get to the root of their problems that lie hidden outside of awareness. My approach is highly influenced by mindfulness practice. You will be guided in each session to build your capacity for present moment focus using breath and body awareness and radical acceptance. This liberates heavy energy and/or pain associated with thoughts and feelings that may have been hidden or stuck. Are you ready to discover what's possible in a collaborative healing relationship? Reach out!
Your healing can start today! In addition to being an LMFT, my approach extends beyond talk therapy to include holistic/integrative methods. I help individuals get to the root of their problems that lie hidden outside of awareness. My approach is highly influenced by mindfulness practice. You will be guided in each session to build your capacity for present moment focus using breath and body awareness and radical acceptance. This liberates heavy energy and/or pain associated with thoughts and feelings that may have been hidden or stuck. Are you ready to discover what's possible in a collaborative healing relationship? Reach out!
Alicia Danforth
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
If you're on the autism spectrum, difficulties navigating the social world might be a source of anxiety, confusion, disappointment, fear, or sadness for you. You don't need an official autism or Asperger's diagnosis to benefit from working with a therapist who knows how to connect with clients who have autistic traits. I want to help you feel more comfortable in social settings so you can have more fulfilling connections at home, at work, in your community, and with yourself. About half of my clients are women, and my practice is as gender-diverse as it is neurodiverse.
If you're on the autism spectrum, difficulties navigating the social world might be a source of anxiety, confusion, disappointment, fear, or sadness for you. You don't need an official autism or Asperger's diagnosis to benefit from working with a therapist who knows how to connect with clients who have autistic traits. I want to help you feel more comfortable in social settings so you can have more fulfilling connections at home, at work, in your community, and with yourself. About half of my clients are women, and my practice is as gender-diverse as it is neurodiverse.
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As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.