Therapists in Santa Barbara, CA

Life is challenging. We are expected to manage relationships, work, sickness, finances, and other stresses. Many of us come to experience significant anxiety, shame, anger, or depression in coping with the world. Whether you are facing an immediate crisis or longstanding concern, psychotherapy can help. With over 25 years of experience, I have assisted people in developing more effective ways of living. My therapeutic approach is informed by current neuroscience research, contemporary relational psychoanalytic thinking, phenomenology, and child development research.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

My therapeutic services are targeted at individuals who prefer the privacy, convenience and familiarity of meeting in their home or may have challenges that extend beyond a traditional in-office setting. I work with client's who face challenges impacting their functioning at home, school or in the community. I work with issues such as anxiety, depression, or panic and behavioral issues like opposition, aggression, and excessive screen time.

100% Online Telehealth. Hi! I take it since you're here reading this that you are looking for a therapist. Don't be nervous, it's a piece of cake. I was once like you doing the exact same thing and I understand. Are you feeling overwhelmed by life or simply looking to explore some "bumps in the road?" Life isn't always a straight line and often times we need to step off the trail and take a look at the bigger picture. I can help you do that whether you need to dive into subconscious childhood trauma or learn new mindfulness practices. Give me a call, shoot me a text, or send me an email and let's talk about how I can help.

I believe we all have what it takes to create the life we are meant to live. I invite you to take the step of finding out what is possible for you.Through a process of discovery, awareness, and a commitment to self-understanding, there is a hope of embodying your truest self. Bringing a delicate balance of effort, care, experience and humor, it would be my privilege to accompany you on this intimate and very often, deeply satisfying journey. Don't postpone your joy!

My primary focus in therapy is on the problems that develop in intimate relationships. In today's world the interactions within the couple relationship are impacted by rapidly changing societal patterns and many conflicting demands and pressures. Partners also bring their own family and psychological histories that cause problems in relating that are often subtle and confusing. I use a non-judgmental, compassionate approach to help intimate partners, married, considering marriage, or contemplating separation or divorce, work through their problems and find a path forward to the happiest present, and future possible.

As your therapist, I strive to empower you to overcome personal challenges, activate your inner resources, develop a deeper level of trust in your self and your inherent potential, and reclaim ownership of your life and purpose. I have an affinity for working with clients seeking to transform their lives and enhance their relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world. Improved emotional intelligence, mindful self-awareness, communication skills, trauma and grief processing---will support you in developing self-compassion, eliminating personal obstacles, coping with your daily life, and finding a more balanced, attuned, and connected way of being.

Nancy's counseling work focuses on adults, seniors, families and couples who struggle with addictive disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief or depression. Nancy's 25 years of practice and experience provide you the opportunity to develop and bring into focus your very best self. Her proficiency and specialties are in providing tools and skills to support recovery from addictions, grief & loss, trauma, and the relational challenges that so often accompany these life challenges, with the intent and hope to facilitate the recognition of your own strengths and your ability to participate, fully, in your own life and those of your loved ones.

Mariano Requena, LMFT offers a full menu of psychological services including psychotherapy, relaxation techniques and tracking symptoms provided to patients of all ages on different modalities, individual, couple and family sessions. MR takes great pride in his psychological practice. He holds a Licentiate of Psychology from Argentina -1980-, Master of Arts in Psychology from GEG, Miami Beach, FL. 2002, and is board certified/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from the Board of Behavioral Sciences - BBS-, since 2021. He has 38 years of mental health experience of all ages through all sorts of situations/issues.

We all struggle with the difficult experiences life presents, experiences that are linked to life’s pleasures and joys. We can face loneliness and loss, feelings of unworthiness, unexpected changes and the stress that comes with demanding circumstances. I work with adults suffering from depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, difficulties in work or school, feelings of being without meaning or purpose, feeling alone, and other forms of psychological pain. My goal is to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment to explore, find meaning, connect more deeply with others, and reconnect with the deepest parts of yourself.

A valuable lesson I received in therapy was that not listening to my intuition led to distress. Many of us disregard our inner voice in favor of external messages containing judgments about our size, race, gender, sexual orientation, and how we express our emotions. This attempt to cope with the world around us and to fit in leads us to devalue and move further from our true selves. I help my clients sift through these messages to find their voice again and move closer to their authentic selves. When we begin to know ourselves better, we can navigate through the world more confidently and build more genuine relationships.

All are welcome here! In my office I serve a diverse range of individuals and couples moving through life transitions, anxiety, grief, uncertainty, divorce, infidelity, anger, disappointment... the list goes on. I cultivate a space that heals, orients you toward growth, makes you feel safe and allows you to reflect inwards. If you're holding guilt, shame, resentment, fear... I welcome you. This space is yours. As a couples therapist I aim to teach you how to "fight right", move from gridlock to compromise, nurture the foundation of your relationship and rekindle your friendship.

I am passionate about your personal growth and helping you identify and achieve your life goals. I use attachment theory, somatic awareness, and polyvegal framework as a means to help you identify your thoughts and feelings. Once we name it, then we tame it! We will work to increase understanding, coping skills, and focus, through the exploration of your unique story in a safe and supportive environment. We navigate anxiety and trauma, laying out a path for your future. For the most up-to-date information, find me on IG at jdtherapist.

I'm currently accepting new Cottage Health Clients! I specialize in working with Healthcare Professionals, First Responder's and Transitional Aged Youth (ages 16 to 25). I also really enjoy working with Mothers learning to navigate all stages of motherhood. I provide a warm and healing environment to help my clients explore, process and grow. I'm trained in somatic EMDR and firmly believe that as humans we heal best when we incorporate working with the nervous system. In sessions, I often utilize somatic exercises to help a client enhance physical and emotional safety and overall groundedness.

Our quality of life is determined by the quality of our relationships. Whatever your goals may be, change is an inside job, and I'm here to be both a witness and a resource in that complex process. When we can let go of shame and judgments around emotions, we allow space to cultivate more curiosity, compassion, acceptance, resiliency, and joy. When we utilize mistakes as informational gifts we can strengthen and clarify the authentic self. I would like to help you meet this self.

Accelerated focused healing! As a Certified EMDR therapist and EMDR consultant-in-training, I offer evidence-based therapy for clients and training for therapists. As a relational and attachment informed trauma therapist, I provide compassionate, warm, and intelligent therapy, and I’m here to support you on your journey to healing. My passion is utilizing the powerful benefits of Accelerated EMDR with clients who are ready to live without disturbing clinical symptoms. Using EMDR therapy we create a plan together to establish and accomplish goals, and provide tools for life’s successes, changes, and challenges.

In 2020, I opened a private practice. I was blessed it grew to full capacity but dealt with sadness of turning people away due to no space. Frequently people shared their difficulties with finding therapy. I am tired of people and families, who are suffering emotionally not getting the help they need. So, I put together a group of several skilled clinicians. We operate by providing a therapy environment that is confidential and emotionally safe. We’re dedicated to making people feel comfortable and understood when discussing the most sensitive issues. Our goal is to ensure support that is empathetic and non-judgmental.

Navigating the challenges of life can be overwhelming and confusing, especially without support. If you’re reading this, you've already taken the first step in your healing journey and I’d be honored to accompany you. I work with clients to help increase their awareness and understanding, develop and gain skills to make lasting change, and overall honor and become intentional with their emotional experience.

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.