Family Therapy in Santa Barbara, CA

I have over 35 years of experience as a therapist and educator in the Santa Barbara area. I work with: individuals, couples and families, teens - elderly. My clients are struggling with ADDICTION (alcoholism, drugs, {pre and post-inpatient addiction assistance}, weight, sex et.al), MENTAL HEALTH (depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, identity, sexual orientation, couples and family issues et.al), and/or SPIRITUAL JOURNEY challenges in their current lives.

Being human can be wild, messy, beautiful, and painful. Whatever has brought you to therapy, it has taken courage and belief in yourself to arrive here. I honor your commitment to your own healing and growth. Suffering is part of the human condition, but there is no reason to suffer alone. Whether you're dealing with anxiety or depression, loss or overwhelming change, or stress due to work, family, or intimate relationships, therapy can help shift your perspective, clarify your deepest values and life goals, identify unhelpful thought patterns, and transform your experience of life.

If you grew up in a dysfunctional family system with abusive family members and dynamics it is inevitable that the unaddressed trauma is going to show up in your relationships, career, family life and your own self-concept. You’re here because you’re struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, codependency, shame and guilt, people-pleasing and perfectionism. I help adults with childhood and adolescent trauma process their past, gain awareness, and reconnect with themselves.

Taking steps to create a more fulfilling life may be one of the most profound actions one can undertake. I believe that walking this path requires developing a curious and accepting relationship with oneself as well as being witnessed and supported by another - be they a therapist, partner, friend or family member. Once on this path, one can heal limiting beliefs, hurtful behaviors, and unhealthy relationships, and move toward a life of fulfillment, purpose and ease.

Sullivan House is the solution to your housing needs. We offer group-home living, as well as partially supervised, independent apartment living services. If you or a loved one have been struggling to find a place to call home, or you want to help an adult-child feel more independent while also getting your life back, Sullivan House offers a secure and stable living option for you. You can feel secure knowing that your loved one is supported with medication management, driven to outpatient services/school/work, enjoys group outings with other residents, has nightly family-style dinners and always has someone to talk to.

Welcome! I help people with a variety of problems, from depression and anxiety to trauma and recovery. I can help you. I am a depth therapist (seeing causes, rather than only symptoms) and a somatic therapist (integrating a healthy mind and body), and I've found that more important than my background is a non-judgmental attitude, attention to your personal needs, and the quality of a collaborative therapy relationship. I'm on your side. My clients gain crucial insights, learn essential coping skills and dramatically improve their relationships, outlook, and prospects for the future. Their lives become much more vital and satisfying.

Are you looking for a safe space to feel supported and understood? I can help. I treat depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse issues, self-esteem issues, and relationship issues in adolescents, adults and families. Through professional and personal experience with therapy, I have learned that feeling understood, supported and safe can be some of the most valuable parts of the healing process. In my practice I meet my clients where they are in the moment, and together with the client, I work to help them reach their unique goals for therapy. My approach is direct, compassionate and genuine.

I am a warm & interactive systemic therapist who is interested in your heart & soul, focusing on strengths in an atmosphere of mutual respect & discovery. I join you or your family in a collaborative journey to explore barriers to change, discover inner resources, develop coping skills, reduce stress & experience authentic communication with the people closest in your life. My integrative and evidence-based approach aims to reduce stress, heal trauma & include family systems interventions to break through to greater purpose and joy.

As a psychotherapist and credentialed schoolteacher, I have worked with children of all ages and their families for the past 27 years. This unique background--combining family therapy, human development, attachment, neuroscience, and education provides a strong foundation for meeting client needs and fostering long-term happiness and success. In general, I help clients work with issues of adolescent, child, and infant development. Individuals and families may be facing such challenges as the arrival of a newborn, anxiety, or depression, academic concerns, and life transitions including blended families, divorce, and loss.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds, creating a treatment plan that is unique to you or your family. I incorporate a variety of evidence-based modalities and psychodynamic approaches to strengthen emotional regulation, build interpersonal skills, and address the impact of traumatic encounters. Through the therapeutic process, we will begin to establish safety and trust, explore unconscious beliefs, and enhance self-awareness and compassion. I have over 10 years of experience working in mental health and am passionate about the human experience and emotional well-being.

As humans, our emotions can often be painful, confusing, and intense. Whether you are struggling with managing intense emotions, patterns of unhelpful coping, or are generally feeling lost or stuck in your life, I'm here to support and guide you in creating your unique life worth living. I strive to help my clients gain a new understanding of themselves and the world around them in a compassionate, safe, and accepting environment. Over the course of our work together, I will help you learn new ways to navigate the many challenges life throws our way and empower you to use the strengths that already lie within you.

As a Marriage and Family therapist, I work with couples & individuals: *With couples,I focus our work within a developmental framework to achieve empathic communication and differentiation leading to deepened emotional intimacy; *With those experiencing life transitions, we explore the impact on us as individuals & on our relationships; *In navigating depression, life style choices, anxiety, and other struggles I provide the opportunity to challenge & ability to realize your potential *Teaching communication skills, the focus is to make the accompanying shift from looking outside ourselves for explanation to taking responsibility for Self. *I offer DBT for individuals/groups to develop the ability to regulate emotions.

Linda Wells - Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, LCSW, CEDS. I specialize in the clinical treatment of eating disorders, with 25 years of experience in the field. I work closely with a team of providers in Santa Barbara County, and inpatient programs, to assist in obtaining the best care for you or your family member. In addition to eating disorders, my practice focuses on the clinical treatment of child abuse, depression, and anxiety. I offer individual counseling & family counseling.

Do you feel life is restricting you from who you really want to be for yourself, your partner and/or your family? My primary goal in therapy is to help enhance your ability to make choices. Our ability to notice our cycles of interaction in our relationships can help us build trust in ourselves and enhance our commitments to ourselves and our loved ones. This, in turn, allows our choices to become "building blocks" toward lasting joy for each relationship creation of our choice.

Navigating the profound pain of losing a loved one is one of life's greatest challenges. You might be feeling misunderstood because no one seems to understand the profound depth of your pain. You might worry about overwhelming others if you were honest about how you're really feeling. You might feel constantly irritable and on-edge or numb and just exhausted. You might worry about not honoring your loved one properly, or what it means if you were to seek out joy again.

I'm glad you're here! My work is firmly rooted in existential humanism, meaning the search for meaning and self-realization is central to our work together. I believe you are the expert on you and your experience and it is my great honor to walk with you on your path. The relationship we will build collaboratively in session will aid you on your healing journey. I am skilled at creating a non-judgmental environment and accepting you where you are, no matter where that is, as we work to shine a light on what once seemed too dark to face.

Welcome to Shoreline Counseling. As a licensed therapist and clinical supervisor, I specialize in relationship therapy for those struggling with connection and communication both individually and in relationally. We explore past experiences and current challenges with a collaborative approach inviting increased self-awareness and insight. I am wholeheartedly supportive and curious in sessions. In truth, I genuinely look forward to seeing my patients each week to provide them a space to exhale.

Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, stress, or family changes that are making every day life feel difficult or hard to manage? Do you notice your child struggling and you are unsure how to emotionally support them? Have you tried to solve the problems on your own and nothing seems to be working? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I'm glad you're here. Seeking help for your child, family struggles, or parenting issues can be difficult. I'm here to help.

It's truly a joy to support our Santa Barbara Community! As an LMFT I specialize in anxiety, trauma, coping with chronic health conditions, and building a stronger sense of self. Many of my clients have grown up in dysfunctional family systems and are struggling with the impact of these experiences on their self worth, relationships and lack of ease on a daily basis. Others are dealing with confusing or mysterious chronic health issues and feel isolated and limited by the challenges of their body. My aim is help you live a life where you feel less on-edge, confident in who you are, and a stronger sense of meaning.