5 therapists in California matching your needs

Over human history, people have mostly lived in close-knit communities. This has eroded with the advances in transportation and technology. Most people have lost much of the social support our forebearers enjoyed. Mental Health Professionals have taken on this role in their respective communities and are an excellent resource for you to realize your strengths and improve your well-being. When your car breaks down you take it to a mechanic. When your tooth hurts you see a dentist. When your mental health can use a “tune-up,” see a Mental Health Professional!

Why me? I provide a safe space to unload your struggles, desires, failures, losses and be supported in your future goals. Don't know yet, we can take the journey and discover these together. I use my years of experience to educate about the functioning of the brain, body and spirit to lead toward a more fulfilling life. We will work to integrate all aspects of the self, achieve balance and harmony by learning to manage life's stress. I often give tools to practice outside of our meetings to accelerate progress.

Hi! I'm Cristina Marra, LMFT. I have 15+ years of experience. I like to help adults and adolescents deal with life's challenges. I help mostly with depression and/or anxiety. My therapeutic approach depends upon the presenting problem and client. The approaches I rely on the most are client-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and EMDR, as needed. I enjoy helping people by listening in a way that the client feels heard and understood. This then allows for better work to happen as strategies and coping tools are developed. I enjoy working with many different types of issues as we are all complex. My communication style I believe in, an open, caring, honest, and direct style of communication. I don't believe any subject is off the table.

If someone asked you not to think for 10 minutes how hard would that be? Is overthinking about the “What Ifs” driving you to relentlessly check things over and over again? Are you determined to find certainty in an uncertain world? Do you frequently ask others repeatedly if something or someone is going to be OK? No matter how much you do a task or say a particular thing does peace of mind elude you? Does the compulsion to handwash, re-read, double check, pray, or re-arrange items never provide lasting relief? Do you find yourself burdened by intrusive thoughts that strike against your will and preoccupy your mind for hours a day? OCD is characterized by unabating obsessions matched with intense mental or behavioral rituals to relieve the anxiety provoked. It is not treated by “talk therapy” but with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through customized gradual exposures, ERP is an evidence-based method of intervention to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. ERP is a collaborative and creative approach to learning new skills and strategies to become comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in your ability to handle life’s unexpected challenges. My style is compassionate, client centered, and culturally sensitive. What to do if you’re nervous about sharing your thoughts with me in therapy? If you're too embarrassed to share something, you can write it down, you can use visuals, you can type it. We can work around this to find other ways that you can deliver the communication. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Registered Out-of-State Telehealth Provider in Florida, South Carolina, and Vermont. My treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues, gifted learners, managing life transitions, women’s mental health issues around shifting roles in family and career, and immigration/re-entry adjustment stressors.

Sometimes ordinary psychotherapy just isn’t “it”. Most people who come into my practice come due to persistent sexual and emotional problems that regular psychotherapy analyzed, but did not effectively facilitate. Sometimes, “How does it make you feel?” Is simply too little and not sufficient for change. You are left feeling an inventory of your issues, but not much change. You will likely find me quite different to the above. I don’t fit the mold and this is intentional because traditional psychotherapy frustrates me and I need to bring about relief and real change. I am extroverted and high-energy. I am an active and verbose facilitator, and you come because you desire to do the hard work on yourself. It is my honor to serve. I help emotional/sexual/abuse traumas heal using bilateral stimulation known as tapping, and positive psychotherapy. We laugh together! I work with fathers as well. I teach men how to listen effectively, for conflict resolution and to learn how to validate your mate and yourself for deeper relaxation and communion as a pair. What people are saying: "She blew my mind! I feel so much better." "I should have done this years ago." "Now I have the mental tools to be effective. I have "proof of concept". This is all worth it." "This is rewarding to share; I can provide my kids with tools they can use growing up." "This has had such an impact on my life." "I feel Great!" "You are the best psychotherapist I have ever had, and I have seen plenty of them!"