Family Therapy in Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA

Whether you're struggling with work, relationships or life changes our time together can alleviate confusion and suffering. You may be experiencing trauma triggers, family of origin patterns, or social and cultural pressures. Sometimes life is simply uncertain and overwhelming. You can create a life of intention and authenticity moving beyond unconscious reactions to insight and meaning. You will be in a safe place to honestly tend to your feelings and needs. I work holistically and respect you as a whole person who is uniquely coping with what has happened to you.

During these difficult times, how would your life be different if you had someone to speak with about the issues that you are struggling with NOW? What if you could have an intimate, stimulating and long-lasting love affair with your partner? Could you imagine yourself, your partner or a family member learning how to take responsibility for thinking, feeling and behaviors so that life was satisfying and successful rather than stressful and disorganized? Well...that is possible.

The experience of psychotherapy can be transformative for individuals and families of all ages and stages of life. I hope to provide a safe space for you to learn, heal, and grow while processing issues or challenges that are significant to you. I will support you in embracing compassion and acceptance for yourself in the midst of your life journey, so you can lead a joyful, productive, and meaningful life. In addition to working with adults, I am passionate about working with children, teens, young adults, and families. I believe a collaborative, systemic approach is essential for change.

You are here. Take up space. It is yours. Your narrative is legitimate and valuable. You are a powerful being. Yes, it all sounds empowering and optimistic and these words, while true, may not resonate with how you currently feel or have felt. You may be experiencing overwhelming thoughts and may be feeling isolated, confused, scared, or angry. It is in here that we may discover unimaginable strength, clarity, and hope. I am a Bilingual and bicultural individual. I currently see clients in-person and via telehealth. I offer services in Spanish and have experience working with English speaking children of Spanish speaking parents.

Trained in the Oaklander model of play therapy, I use sand tray, imagery, games, and expressive arts with clients of all ages. As a former elementary school teacher, I understand many aspects of the IEP process. Clients I see experience CPTSD, life transition issues, anxiety and overwhelm, and depression. I offer a safe, receptive and inclusive space for clients to explore the innate wisdom of body, mind, and soul and work through the experiences that feel the most challenging. Together, we can address emotional challenges such as disconnection, loneliness, lack of joy, and disassociation.

I believe the therapeutic process is a collaborative way to discover healthy coping mechanisms, reduce stress, and increase personal happiness and well-being. Confidentiality, respect, and compassion are inherent to my process. I have over a decade of experience treating adolescents, adult individuals, couples & families. By integrating various therapeutic approaches such as Strength’s-Based Strategic, Solution-Focused & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I am able to provide well-rounded, evidence-based support to promote positive change.

There are expereinces in our lives that leave us feeling disconnected and ill at ease. Feeling misunderstood in our realtionships can be painful and confusing. Psychotherapy provides the oppertunity for self discovery and understanding. A safe environment to explore our thougths and feelings and make sense of our emotions. Resulting in increased self understanding and compassion. This experience is the basis for developing positive relationships in other areas of your life. Each of us wants to connect with family members, friends and co-workers in a meaningful way, leaving us feeling understood and accepted.

Life can be challenging, I am here to listen, encourage and empower you in reaching your life/family goals. If you are considering becoming a parent or are a parent, mental health is one of the most important investments you can make to help support you in the journey. Being a parent myself has also added to my experience and growth. I know firsthand how challenging, rewarding, and inspirational parenthood can be, as well as the transformation that mental health support can have on your life. I also enjoy and have extensive experience in working with young adults in their transition to independence.

I work with adolescents (12-17), young adults (18-25), couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance-use, and relationship challenges. As humans, we can feel motivated to take those first steps toward healing but struggle to maintain progress. Trauma and challenging life events can leave our inner resources and authenticity untouched, discouraging our growth. 'I'm aware of my patterns and habits, what's next? Are there actual skills that can help me with this?'. Together, we'll answer this question and build a treatment plan that matches your unique vision for change.

I primarily work with leaders and their family members to find healthy work/life rhythms, manage stress, heal from trauma, and develop strategies for health. As a pastor and licensed clinical psychologist (PSY35006), I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, and children who are facing varying challenges in life to find pathways through pain and into healing, growth, and vitality.

At Canyon Creek Counseling, we have extensive experience in working with individuals that are struggling with depression, anxiety, attachment trauma, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, physical and emotional abuse, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, body dysmorphia, self-esteem and body image issues, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Are you done with focusing on your past ? Questioning your own thinking? Have you been repeating familiar toxic patterns in your closest relationships? Looking for a client-centered, self- empowering, choice-based focus? If you are ready for real renewal, you will be provided with a refreshing and pragmatic Harm Reduction approach to empower you towards life enhancement in moving beyond traditional recovery. As a Certified Coach, and trained psychedelic integration therapist, I bring over 20 years of insight, education and guidance working with families and individuals seeking solutions.

With 20 years in the treatment field and over three decades of personal recovery, I have a full range of experience in the areas of anxiety and depression, relationship, couples and family dynamics, substance abuse, addictions, PTSD and trauma. I am a trained practitioner in CBT, DBT, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, EMDR and TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model) modalities and specialize in working with adults in a broad-based practice.

I specialize in healing relationships with self and other, whether they are painful, confusing, or just plain unsatisfying. If you're "going through the motions," you've lost yourself, your anxious mind is driving you crazy, or if you can't decide whether to stay in that relationship or leave. I'll help you learn to manage those difficult emotions and confusing situations so that you can move through those life transitions and issues with a greater sense of confidence and ease.

I work with all types of clients, from "Type A" women who are intensely driven, but often feel exhausted from perfectionism-to individuals who have gone or are going through infertility and feel a loss of control-to postpartum women who are experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Most of my clients are seeking something deeper than just "talk therapy." They are interested in how their past traumas show up in their bodies and want to mobilize their pain, so that they can create new narratives and harness their innate power.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over thirty years of experience providing strategic therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy to adults, children, adolescents and families.

Do you see your own issues, but can't seem to think or "will" yourself into more productive behavior? Perhaps you have a wonderful mate and family, but you are stuck in the same old arguments and frustrations, and you know your family's communication could be better. Maybe you feel angry, or sad, and you just don't know why. Perhaps you are hoping to come to terms with something very unfortunate that has happened to you, either recently or long ago. If you want to feel better about yourself and others, you have come to the right place.

Cultivate Wellness a premier counseling center offering progressive and evidenced-based psychotherapy and wellness services for adolescents, adults, couples and families. Our engaging team of clinicians are committed to helping clients in creating healthy and long changes and cultivating a life that is worth celebrating. We offer virtual counseling to residents throughout the states of CA and CO and eco-therapy (nature based) sessions to individuals living within the Central Coast of California and the Bay Area. Services available in both English and Spanish. ¡Se ofrece sesiones en español!

Are your habits getting in the way of living your best life? Do you consider yourself a "functioning" substance user? Maybe you are ready to change but 12-step programs or rehab are not for you. My approach is coaching-based, and solution focused. Sessions focus on authentic self-discovery, recognizing and removing patterns that are keeping you stuck, setting realistic goals, and developing strategy to achieve them. I work well with individuals in a transition period of their lives, and with those who are motivated to make a change. I will help you develop a plan and accountability.