Adults Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Our mission is to provide quality online mental health and substance abuse services while breaking down the barriers of traditional, office based therapy. Traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment tends to focus on what makes you sick, what you are lacking but at The Mindful Lemon, our clinicians let you sit in the driver’s seat, focusing on your strengths and assets to help you become the best version of you! This can be via traditional talk therapy, medication management, mindfulness techniques, an emphasis on health, wellness and fitness or any combination of the above.

Do you find that you are questioning yourself constantly? Or feeling as if you have no motivation for the things you enjoy? Or struggling in your relationships? Are you feeling lost in this phase of life and trying to figure out what makes you happy? You may be wondering where these feelings are coming from. They may feel like familiar patterns, or these experiences might be new for you. Either way, you know something needs to shift. You want to feel more at ease within yourself and in your relationships. You are ready to quiet the inner critic and be more understanding of where, and who, you are.

Hello, I'm Rory! I am a nonjudgemental, down to Earth, kind-hearted, and experienced therapist. Struggling? Feeling stuck or frozen? Feeling pained by relationships? Feeling frustrated with yourself and want to change patterns? Going through hard times and needing help and support?

HI! I am an LCSW with over a decade of experience. My calm demeanor and authenticity allow me to connect with people easily and make them feel safe. My therapeutic framework is a mix of many theoretical perspectives including CBT, feminist and mindfulness based practices, but I'm grounded in the humanistic approach of unconditional positive regard towards all human beings. I work hard to provide my clients with a safe and trusting place to process their thoughts, emotions and grief. I work collaboratively with my clients to set goals, build new skills and identify opportunities for growth.

Are you stuck in emotional pain, numbed out, or in an unsatisfying relationship? We all learn patterns of relating to ourselves, others, and the world that may no longer work. This can show up as relationship conflict or distance, depression, anxiety, grief, emptiness, confusion, or a lack of direction and meaning. You want more joy, ease and satisfying relationships, with greater confidence and ability to ride the waves of life. Through courageous exploration, connection, healing and behavioral work, we nurture your powerful, true Self from which you are able to live your best life and contribute your unique gifts.

Are you experiencing challenges that make life hard and impact your achieving your goals? Are you wanting to improve: life experiences (career, academic, partner, identity, etc.); anxiety, depression, organization, attention, learning; social, relationship, communication with your partners, friends, children, animals (see book: Dogs Can Sign, Too)? Are you in a minority or diverse group and dealing with personal or social issues? If you are open to face, overcome, grow from these challenges, and ready to start your growth journey where you will gain information, skill, and support, contact me today for a free intro session.

Life can be overwhelming. It can feel like you’re slowly sinking into an ocean of worries and despair. You just want to catch your breath. It can keep you awake at night, or make you not want to get out of bed. I’m here to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship so you can find relief from your struggles.

Whether you are seeking support for challenges that are recent or longstanding, it is a courageous choice to prioritize yourself. I believe that therapy is not just reserved for crisis, but for any time in life you are seeking a safe space for reflection, curiosity & growth. Blending evidenced based practices with warmth and humor I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly and honestly. “Life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination”. - Carl Rogers

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.

My work centers around helping people achieve their goals. I enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds and I easily connect with others and believe that through relationship building you are able to facilitate positive changes in your life. My varied experience over the past twenty years as a school counselor, parent, Therapeutic Foster Parent, Equine Assisted Psychotherapist and Challenge Course Facilitator have shaped my eclectic style of working with people. Based on your specific needs and areas of desired growth, together we will tailor a plan to best meet your needs as we move forward through the therapy.

I believe healing happens with a holistic integration of mind, body, and spirit. I support each person to express their authentic selves and needs, through several therapeutic modalities, including Expressive Arts, Somatic Techniques, CBT, EMDR, Parts Work, and Mindfulness. I am also trained in Brief Therapy methods for those who want support with a specific challenge or prefer therapy in small pieces at a time. My style is directive- I give feedback, ask questions to evoke clarity of where/how current maladaptive reactions/patterns came from, utilize reflective and active listening, and give weekly homework assignments.

NOW assessing for the 23-week DBT Mindfulness & Skills Group Series! Also accepting a limited number of new full fee clients or ADHD/Executive Functioning solutions-oriented therapy! Ride The Wave Recovery can serve clients in greater Santa Cruz, CA; Seattle/Tacoma, WA; and Chicago, IL. RtW offers solutions-oriented group and individual therapy to clients of all genders and sexualities living with ADHD and AuDHD with executive functioning support needs! RtW also provides social justice-oriented and neurodivergent-affirming DBT groups. All via Telehealth.

As I see it, the primary role of a counselor is to serve as a mirror to help reveal what the client hasn't yet been able to see-especially those patterns of relating to self, others, and the environment that might be causing suffering. At the same time, the counselor is there to reflect, affirm, and strengthen the client's unique gifts and talents.One of the biggest impediments to healing, growth, and creativity is shame. To help clients move through this debilitating emotion, I use a combination of mindfulness, body awareness, and other healing modalities.

Each of us has a deep, loving intelligence that seeks expression in the world. We also have survival strategies formed early in life that often limit and inhibit our later lives and relationships. In my work with individuals, couples, and families, we unmask these strategies, and access the loving wisdom that is the deepest, essential nature of all human beings. This shift arises naturally and radically re-orients our world view and behavior toward others and toward ourselves. It unleashes our capacity for joy and creativity, and offers the only place from which to have a true relationship with the world and with others.

I have experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, depression, anxiety, parenting problems, and relationship issues. I am an ally of the LGBTQI community and can provide a safe, telehealth space for them. Unfortunately, at this time, I cannot accommodate individuals seeking letters for emotional support animals or those mandated by the court or legal system for therapy. With that said, my goal in being a counselor, is to assist my clients in meeting their identified treatment needs. I am flexible and willing to do whatever I need to do to assist you and help you in any way that I can.

It's not easy being human and it takes courage to make it here. 

We all hit points in life where we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain of how to cope and move forward, but you don’t have to walk through it alone. I'm here to help you navigate your challenges and experience greater ease, satisfaction, and intimacy with life. My work is focused on supporting you to listen inward, shift how you relate with yourself, and reconnect with your inner wisdom and unique gifts. With a holistic lens and approach, I believe that you are whole, resilient, and capable of growing and healing.

My commitment as a therapist is to help you obtain a more satisfying and rewarding life. I work with women to assist them to: Create fulfilling, joyful relationships; Overcome anxiety and depresson; Acquire Self-Esteem and Confidence; Reduce limiting thoughts or beliefs; Move beyond loss and grief; Recover from divorce; Successfully move through life transitions. My goal is to empower and support you in identifying and moving beyond the personal obstacles that keep you from creating the relationships and life that you desire.

Life can be hard but I'm guessing you already knew that.  All the hard stuff can leave us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or sad. Sometimes life's challenges become too difficult to overcome alone. Finding a safe and collaborative place to explore and address what is troubling you is the first step toward healing.  Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or challenges within a relationship. While there are no guarantees of what you will experience in therapy, research shows that therapy helps people. It works. Psychotherapy can elevate feelings of self worth, purpose, and improve your overall quality of life.

I recognize the courage and effort involved in seeking out therapy. I’m so happy you found my profile and hope to connect with you as a resource to support your mental health goals. Whether you would like to ease emotional distress, develop self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-trust, improve relationships, improve coping skills, increase balance, find spaciousness, enhance wellbeing, (or all of the above and anything not mentioned), I am here to support your growth and journey toward a more meaningful life.