Therapists in Capitola, CA

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.

Welcome. My name is Deanne Edwards and I’ve been honored to be in the helping field since 1994. I work to create an inviting, safe space for you to share your story, your pain, your strengths and your heart in hopes of finding a new and transformative experience through our work together. Looking for help takes courage and I will do my best to help you find a way through difficult times and support you to find your strength and healing. Please feel free to reach out and let me know what brings you here.

Are you frustrated with the amount of anxiety you feel on a daily basis? Is anxiety getting in the way of living your life? Or maybe your child's anxiety is causing your family stress. I can help! I view anxiety as treatable and provide effective and time-limited therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I LOVE helping anxious people lead more value-oriented (and less fearful!) lives. I have been seeing therapy patients for over a decade, using scientifically-based, cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approaches. I use my background in clinical neuroscience to deliver cutting-edge treatment for anxiety.

Do you wish you knew how to help your child manage big emotions? Wouldn't it be a relief to see them navigate difficult social interactions safely and confidently? Is anxiety preventing them from being the best version of themselves? Do they seem unaware of how they feel at any given moment? Or maybe their emotional reactions seem out of proportion to the situation.

Starting the therapy process takes enormous courage, and I sincerely applaud you for taking this first step. If you are ready to demystify your suffering and find liberation from the burdens that limit your quality of life, you're in the right place. I most enjoy supporting my clients in exploring and making meaning of their past experiences in order to live a much more fulfilling present and future. I will help you draw upon your own internal strengths to become the best possible version of yourself, live your best possible life, and empower you to maintain that life ongoing.

I believe the purpose of therapy is to create a safe and validating environment where people can focus on creating a "life worth living". I help facilitate this journey by focusing on both acceptance and change in a warm, interactive and thoughtful fashion. If you are someone who is struggling to manage your emotions and behaviors because of anxiety, depression, or trauma we can work together to define the life you want and overcome the obstacles to it.

Do you wake up feeling empty, with a sense of dread to take on the day? Are your negative thoughts about yourself, your life, and others around you keeping you stuck in a place you don’t want to be? Let’s talk. Life is too short and precious to be viewed through a prism of negativity and gloom. And suffering is not living. My general approach to therapy is to focus on the client’s strengths and seek solutions with positive reinforcement. I can work to help you access and strengthen your inner resources that are already there, even if you’re having trouble seeing it for yourself.

Perhaps you've come to believe that your whole self isn't welcome. Experiences of disconnect and conditionality might leave you feeling isolated and unseen. Maybe anxiety and shame have convinced you of an "other-ness" when these differences are, instead, essential clues into your own creativity and liberation. The right therapeutic relationship can allow for the retrieval of self and soul. I support individuals in developing meaningful insight into what may have been lost or left behind, honoring the fragmented pieces asking for reclamation. In the words of poet Paul Éluard, "there is another world, and it is in this one."

I believe in the power of healing through authentic connection with trusted community. However, rather than allowing ourselves to share vulnerably with people in our lives, we silence ourselves due to the fear of being judged. We close ourselves off to connection and in doing so silence our authentic truth. While this tendency has protected us from unsafe people, we can get stuck in this game of pretending to be okay when we truly need support. This can lead to disconnection within ourselves and in our interpersonal relationships. I help people learn how to trust their intuition and use their vulnerability as a tool for connection.

For over 30 years I have been helping my clients to discover new ways to deal with their problems and to begin thriving rather than merely surviving in their lives. My greatest strength is moving people from crisis to change. My openness and forthright style with clients provide them the opportunity for understanding, personal growth, and change. I view therapy as an educational as well as therapeutic experience. My style is primarily interactive. I am supportive, caring and process oriented. I have extensive experience with mental health, hospitals and schools. I love working with people in all stages and ages of their lives!