Parenting Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

I enjoy helping people set and meet their own goals. I am eager to meet you where you are and take you to where you want to go.

My professional experiences have been with children, teens, adults, couples, and families seeking to overcome trauma, attachment disruptions, relational dissatisfaction, and other mental health concerns impacting their functioning. I have worked for various non-profits and community agencies relating to the foster care system and adoption. I am consistently honored by the privilege to witness vulnerability in the lives of my clients as they pursue healing and wholeness.

I believe that healing and growth are innate human capacities which can become overwhelmed by powerful and/or chronic stressors. My priorities for our healing relationship are to ensure a sense of safety for you in the therapy process, as well as collaborativity. I have developed a process that I call Developmental Mindfulness to promote wellness on the somatic, emotional, and cognitive levels of human experience. I integrate somatic modalities, archetypal psychology, art therapy, play therapy, the fundamentals of qigong and yoga, Internal Family Systems, narrative strategies, cognitive strategies, and nutritional psychology.

There are many reasons why a person, a couple, or a family might find themselves feeling stuck, down, disconnected, overwhelmed, or anxious. A significant portion of my education and training is based around helping clients reduce or resolve symptoms associated with their challenges. However, I find that helping clients identify the root of their obstacles—in addition to cultivating skills and strategies to work towards a strong mental and emotional sense of well-being and developing strong connected relationships—is as important as attending to mental, emotional, and relational symptoms.

The heart of my work is compassion and curiosity. It is my goal to instill these into my clients. I believe each person is innately health seeking. Each of us can find our way off this healthy path for very important and powerful reasons. We work together to understand these reasons with deep compassion. With curiosity we look to discover ways to get back on the path to the healthiest self. I discovered over the past two decades that compassion allows us to move on and that with curiosity new choices emerge which can allow for deep, profound and lasting change.

You hope that life can be better than this. Your ways of coping and controlling things in your life seem to be failing. You may feel like you're about to fall apart. Support from your friends and family aren’t enough. You need help to manage the overwhelm and make some big changes. I’m here for you. We’re going to drop in and get real about what’s really going on, in all of the layers. We’ll explore what compels you to do what you’re doing. We’ll figure out how these habits help and hurt you and find healthier ways to manage your stress. If you're working on addictions, I often support the goal of moderate usage.

I try to individually tailor treatment to each patient by providing a balance of symptom relief to alleviate current discomfort and analysis of primary causal factors for long-term resolution.

Hello! I’m so glad you found me. My approach to therapy is to engage the whole person in order to make meaningful change. Movement in therapy can range from focusing on breath to self-lead movement expression, and can be used with any age and ability. Artistic expression is used to deepen the therapeutic work through the creative process. All engagement in art is optional. I view my clients holistically and utilize the knowledge I gain regarding their life history and their social atmosphere to guide them in therapy. I work collaboratively with my clients to make meaningful change, respecting my clients’ individuality and autonomy.

Many of the common symptoms people experience are actually related to chronic stress or trauma. This is not recognized by most physicians, so patients are often prescribed multiple medications and referred to many subspecialists, without any real relief of their symptoms. I help patients identify if their symptoms are actually related to stress or trauma, and use brain-based and somatic-based therapies to treat headaches, chronic pain, digestive problems, sleep problems, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, panic attacks or unexplained neurological symptoms (visual changes, non-epileptic events or conversion disorder).

Have you ever wondered, "why did I just do that?" or felt conflicted with different sides of yourself? Have you ever felt completely confused why others seem to live easy lives and you don't? We can work together to understand what's important to you and how you want to live your best life. I offer a safe space for people of all ages (3-103!) to be understood and cared for without judgement or pressure. Sometimes this is working through stress within a family and it's affect on family members. Sometimes this work looks like learning new ways to cope with anxiety or improve how we talk to ourselves.

Are you feeling isolated? Are you lacking true connection with others? Do you often have behaviors that negatively impact you and your loved ones? With over a decade of experience as a Substance Use Disorder counselor, I have witnessed the connection between trauma and destructive behaviors, like drug use. I have found that tailoring therapy to a client's needs is crucial for healing to happen, and I will always invite you to show up as your authentic self. As a lifelong learner, I see great value in teaching a new skill or tool at each session that can be applied in your everyday life.

Sometimes hurts get stacked on each other & we assemble a life that protects against the pain, so it doesn’t ever hurt like that again. But in that process of armoring ourselves, we build a structure that also limits our capacity to enjoy life. We each have a much more unconstrained life that wants us to live it. By knowing ourselves through discovery, we work to be accountable to our own position & condition in life, forgive ourselves & others, & create a life that rewards us for this beautiful & courageous effort. Sessions will likely include mindfulness, humor, creativity, compassion, empathy, accountability, & problem-solving.

I am a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist that specialize in depression, managing self-injurious behaviors, anxiety, self-esteem, divorce, sexual abuse, interpersonal violence/domestic violence, educational issues and coping skills to manage stress. The theoretical approaches I use in my practice include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Trauma Focused Behavioral Therapy. I have over 7 years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families. In my clinical practice I place importance in empowering clients to find their own strength

Life can feel hard sometimes. You may be feeling stuck; struggling in your relationships or work, drowning in hopelessness, exhausted by the relentlessness of your thoughts or behaviors, overwhelmed by your worries, consumed by sadness or plagued by low self-esteem or poor body image. You know you can’t keep living this way. You want to have thriving relationships, confidence, joy and an ease to your days. You have the innate wisdom and knowing that will guide you towards healing, as I walk alongside you on this journey of self-exploration and empowerment. You have the potential to be whole, healthy and happy.

HH & Co. is a therapy practice with EMDR available, located in Santa Cruz, CA. We believe that growth and sustained change happens when people experience genuineness (openness, self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood). Holly is a general practitioner who treats people, not problems, so we encourage you to come just as you are. Together, we will work to define your goals, identify thoughts and behaviors that may may hinder the achievement of these goals, track progress⁠, and tap into your inner strength and resilience.

Do you have life relationship challenges and and can’t seem to figure out a solution? Or do you feel overwhelmed in your life? I will help you to discover the solutions in your internal world and in so doing the everyday world you live in changes also. I use cognitive behavioral skills, communication skills, active and reflective listening Skills. I believe you can work to find solutions to your issues.

At Bridges Therapy Group of California, we’re dedicated to matching you with the perfect therapist for you and ensuring that your insurance will truly pay for your sessions. We are contracted, in-network providers with all the insurers listed below. We verify your benefits before you start so there are no surprises to you.

These are turbulent times that place an extra burden on our mental health. In addition, perhaps you're in a role of caring for others and struggle to find enough time for yourself, or you're in the midst of a challenging life event or transition. You may be experiencing some symptoms that concern you. Stress, anxiety, depression, loss, or unresolved trauma can interfere with moving forward and put stress on our relationships. In my role as your witness and collaborator, I offer a comfortable and safe space for you to process, problem solve, and explore ways to re-connect with your own internal wisdom.

Are you stuck in patterns of fears, confusion, indecision, or painful relationships? This stuckness and suffering hinder you from accessing the empowered, expansive, creative, organic self within; this essential part of you wants to express the unique gift that you are, and the gifts you bring to the world. Imagine beyond your struggles or limitations to become who you are truly meant to be, being more authentic, having more fulfilling relationships and manifesting your passions. Whether you are looking for further understanding, or personal tools or deeper change, I am here to support your journey.