In Person Therapists in Santa Barbara, CA

I am honored to be part of your healing and growth journey. I work with adults of all ages and couples to build on strengths, improve communication, and develop tools to persevere through challenges. My approach is built on the therapeutic relationship we create together and the unconditional positive regard I hold for my clients. I will help you cultivate greater self-compassion, awareness, and understanding. I love laughing with my clients, cheering them on in their journey, and helping them develop the necessary skills and insight to accomplish their goals.

Welcome, I’m happy you’re here! I work with children and individuals of all ages suffering with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, eco-anxiety/grief, anger, relationship issues, isolation, and life transitions. I offer a safe environment to explore emotions and express your authentic self, with the intention to improve your relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and your extended systems. We’ll be a good match if you want a warm, gentle, accepting presence to guide you through the process of therapy.

I am trained in Family Therapy and although not always the case, therapy often moves faster when you are willing to include other family members as a part of therapy at some point. It helps me understand you in the broader context of the people that are important to you or have influence in your life. I have been married for 34 years and have three adult children so my personal experience often informs me, along with my training and the expertise I have gathered being a part of The Family Therapy Institute.

I welcome you to walk with me on a journey of healing and thriving if you seek harmony, peace, resilience and yes joy, in the face of life's adversities. Those who are experiencing life stresses/trauma resulting in anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges are most welcome for psychotherapy. We work together utilizing various treatments such as mindfulness, cognitive therapy and the underlying biological reactions to stress in order to help you thrive. I also offer evaluations of learning and brain functions and give life changing recommendations. The collaborative work with horses is especially powerful.

You’re doing the hard work of seeking out therapy in 2024, and that’s truly commendable. The past few years may have been the catalyst for you to realize that now is the perfect time to enhance your mood, reduce stress, and improve your relationships. Therapy can be the first step in identifying goals and addressing needs that may have been neglected during the pandemic and possibly throughout your life. Are you living your best possible life? If so, maybe there are a few small things that need minor adjustments. If not, let’s start this journey together towards the best days of your life.

Welcome. I have a passion for helping people connect to deeper parts of themselves and access their innate ability to shift, heal and grow. I create a safe, curious, collaborative and compassionate space. In working with clients my approach is to be a skilled and kind mirror and facilitator of change. I believe being in therapy takes courage. I would be honored to walk beside you on your journey. My hope is that we can work together to support you in being your best self.

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.

I help people struggling with depression, anxiety, low self esteem, relationship issues and women suffering from prepartum and postpartum depression. I have extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders and body image issues, as well as addictions to alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, I have a unique ability to connect with young adults facing difficult developmental life transitions. It is my belief that one of the most important elements of successful therapy is the relationship developed between the client and therapist.

Whether you are coming to therapy because you are battling addiction, have relationship issues, unresolved trauma, or are striving for more balance in your life, I am here to help. Making an appointment with a therapist takes courage and is the first step toward personal growth and change. Some people come to therapy to improve their communication skills while others come to explore their unresolved pain that may show up in various symptoms such as, depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. If the underlying pain is not dealt with, life can seem difficult and maybe even unbearable. There is no need to suffer. There is hope.

As an LCSW specializing in aiding adolescents and young adults with anxiety, depression, stress, & life transitions, I view therapy as a partnership. Your concerns & objectives steer our path. In a nurturing environment, you can openly express your struggles & aspirations. I draw from diverse modalities like CBT, mindfulness, & solution-focused approaches to personalize sessions. Together, we'll uncover patterns, develop coping strategies, & nurture resilience for navigating life's challenges with confidence. My aim? Empowering you to lead a more fulfilling life. Reach out, and let's embark on this transformative journey together.

I see adults with various relationship issues, quality of life concerns, and those wanting to expand their personal growth and take care of their mental health. I provide Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral therapies, with other supportive therapies. Integration Psychology empowers patients and tends to their most pressing needs. Also, as an EMDR-trained Clinician, I provide sessions for PTSD and reprocessing trauma to help patients who feel stuck in their body or thinking or who feel younger than they are and may have frozen or unprocessed memories. I provide psychotherapy, psychological evaluations, and personality testing.

I enjoy working with children, adults, couples and families. I hold a Life Teaching Credential in California and I am a state licensed LMFT. Treatment considers personal relationships and psychodynamic introspection. Awareness of inspiration, aspiration and spirituality informs the search to realize personal potential and authenticity. Each person brings unique experiences and issues to the therapeutic process. My goal is to identify the issues and approach treatment in collaboration with my client, with compassion, practicality, support and effectiveness.

Are you searching? Are you stuck? Are you trying to figure things out and not finding answers? Has life become difficult for you right now? Sometimes we hit phases in our lives when we want to find happiness and become more productive and successful. We just want to feel better. You and I can work together to help you formulate more effective ways of handling your life circumstances in order to navigate through today and tomorrow. I can help you understand your thoughts, your emotions, and why you may feel the way you do. I can also help you find out why you may find it difficult to improve your quality of life.

Feeling overwhelmed by a specific challenge or aiming to enhance your life and relationships? As your therapist, I aim to help you identify concerns and guide you toward positive transformations efficiently. My office is a sanctuary—a secure, inviting space where we embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth together. Through collaboration, we navigate obstacles and uncover tools for your thriving. I use diverse modalities, tailoring therapy to your needs.

Thank you for considering beginning psychotherapy with me. My Ph.D. is in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. My training has allowed me to help people resolve problems where they have been otherwise unsuccessful. I have developed many innovative and evidence-based treatments that may be of interest to you or your loved ones.

Imagine a life where anxiety no longer dictates your choices, where you confidently recognize your self-worth, and where the weight of past traumas fades. Building a better life and feeling more at ease are possible. Your life is too precious to stay stuck in suffering. I can help you find a new way of feeling and being in the world. In therapy, we'll tackle the barriers that hold you back and I'll help you learn to treat yourself with the care you need to thrive. My specialty in EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to address trauma and anxiety directly, allowing for deep and lasting change.

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for anxiety and eating concerns to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. In a comfortable, collaborative and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs to help guide them towards a life aligned with their authentic self and fundamental core values.

People tend to find me at some point on their journey when they need calm and direct guidance. They are usually in a time of deep pain and confusion, whether they are transitioning in life, divorcing, watching their teens struggle, feeling utterly depressed and lost, struggling in relationships or just wanting more out of their lives.

Does it feel like you are giving life all you’ve got, and yet you’re still unhappy, anxious and stressed? You might be overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list and numerous responsibilities, feeling guilty or insecure that you can’t “do it all” at 100%, or feeling resentful, burned out and underappreciated. You often listen to a harsh, critical voice in your head, that only points out "your faults." It's hard to recognize the person you’ve become. You wonder how you can keep juggling so much while feeling so bad. You know it would feel good to slow down and prioritize yourself. You’re ready to feel grounded and more fulfilled.