19 Buddhist therapists in California

I am a seasoned and dedicated therapist, holding a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and I am based in California. With 13 years of experience in this field, my practice is driven by a profound commitment to assisting individuals in their journey toward self-discovery and personal growth. My therapeutic approach centers around meeting my clients right where they are in their lives, offering them a safe and non-judgmental space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I am deeply passionate about nurturing self-understanding, self-compassion, and self-love, guiding individuals to embrace these qualities as they navigate life's challenges. In my practice, I emphasize the importance of moving away from self-criticism and self-blame, recognizing these patterns as hindrances to personal well-being. Instead, I work collaboratively with my clients to foster self-acceptance and self-compassion, empowering them to build healthier relationships with themselves and others. My ultimate goal as a therapist is to help individuals discover their inner strengths, enhance their self-awareness, and develop the tools they need to lead more fulfilling and contented lives. It's a privilege and a passion of mine to assist others on their journey towards greater self-acceptance and emotional well-being.

My approach is first to get to know you and your place in the world, to help you feel comfortable with me, and to learn about what has you seeking therapy. I deeply and intuitively listen. Use all my knowledge and life experience to help guide my clients out of suffering. My mission is to support my clients in becoming resilient in the face of this wild and crazy world so that we might all leave it a better place than we found it.

Please note- I schedule appointments only at the top of each hour. Your healing can start today! My name is Renee H. Tunkel. I go by Hannah. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California since 2011. I have extensive background in body, mind, spirit somatic and holistic therapies. For those inclined, I incorporate a few moments of mindfulness meditation at the start of each session, to bring a centered, grounded focus that allows you to connect more deeply to your Inner and/or Higher Self, as well as to gain access to the unconscious mind, where the root of the issue lies. Since 1997, I have been helping individuals heal from anxiety, chronic pain, childhood trauma, sleep disorders, and problems of early attachment problems (prenatal and birth trauma) through my business All Ways Well Within. I also have been helping couples improve communication, deepen intimacy, and experience more sexual fulfillment in relationships. You are not alone! We all have old beliefs, feelings, and self-defeating patterns that get in the way of expressing our best selves and living our greatest lives, but this can change if you commit to doing the work!

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!

Matthew Tentler is a marriage and family therapist in Southern California. He specializes in treating in depression, post traumatic stress disorder, addiction and cultural, spiritual, and identity issues. 
After working as a teacher, a professional behavioral analyst, and later as a first responder on a mental health crisis team, Mr. Tentler worked as a lead clinician for a non-profit providing aid for survivors of human trafficking, where he developed a trauma informed martial arts, self defense and somatic therapy program.

Hello – Welcome to Insight Care Counseling! The beauty of this -our shared life’s journey- is that we can aspire to embody its greatest gifts: love, fulfillment, clarity and peace. And yet, at times, we encounter challenges and changes that bring forth feelings of stress, depression, anxiety -or numbness and disorientation. And it is often at these junctures that psychotherapy can help; for in essence, the therapeutic journey is about finding richness even while in the land of disenchantment … and healing even while walking through pain. I’m Jonathan, a California-based psychotherapist with broad experience in the field. My therapeutic style is warm and compassionate, active and engaged. Helping you navigate your wellness-growth journey in an effective and authentic way, is my calling and my passion! If you have any questions and/or need assistance in making an appointment, please contact our dedicated Grow Therapy intake team at: +1 (786) 755-1863 or directly via email at: jonathan@insightcarecounseling.com; or by telephone at: (619) 800-0918 Email: reception+Jonathan14167@growtherapy.com

Hello. Great to meet you! I am a psychotherapist who works with teens, families and adults. Providing psychotherapy treatment that offers you support; helping you improve your relationships, reduce stress, depression, anxiety and acute/chronic mental health distress. I have worked with a wide variety of individuals, families and couples to find their path to wellness and reducing acute distress.

Welcome! I am a licensed clinician with a masters in marriage and family therapy and a background in pastoral ministry and counseling. I have been a therapist for 15 years and specialize in helping people move through loss, change, relational stress, career stress, and life transition through a holistic, humanistic, eclectic, and straight forward approach. Working with me, you will be challenged to move past the obstacles you face as you move towards your self-defined goals.

I envision working together to be a collaborative, synergistic experience. Deep listening, commitment to the present moment, and a compassionate heart are the pillars of my practice. I have studied many techniques and interventions with esteemed teachers, but I always come back to these simple foundations. Although not always pleasant, sensations in the body can serve as an effective teacher.

I am an older woman, who simply grew up confused within most of my own life. Things in my family were hard, and there seemed to be nobody who had any answers, so I grew up trying to figure things out, and I did not always do a great job. I now do a much better job in my own life, and here to help others with figuring out their own life paths, choices, anxieties/depressions/etc. My struggles eventually lead me to this role, as a therapist, a counselor, teacher, guide, support for the many others who are having a hard time figuring "it" out. I use a direct, honest, root-digging approach that seeks to heal at the core, allowing for release of attachments and agreements made long ago - many of these lead to feelings/thoughts/behaviors within shame, guilt, feelings of being a burden or just not good enough, codependency, anger, anxieties, depressions, people-pleasing - simply to just survive the day.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been working with children, youth and adults for the past eight years. My background is special needs case management and parenting as a school social worker. My "why" when I think about my work is this: listening to clients stories' and sitting with them in their path to building resiliency. I believe the client knows themselves and their strengths, I sit by and guide them to build insight about how they want to make changes for personal growth. I champion my clients as they build their capacity for vulnerability to develop their authentic selves. I consider it a huge privilege to do this very important work.

Welcome to your turning point. I'm Albert, a dedicated Licensed Psychotherapist, but more than that, I'm your partner in sparking transformative change in your life and relationships. In a world where stress peaks and feeling 'not good enough' becomes a constant shadow, I see you. You're battling, striving for balance, yet often finding yourself overwhelmed by the weight of your inner critic. It's time to break free from this cycle, rediscover happiness, and truly thrive. With stress at unprecedented levels and the quest for happiness seemingly endless, it can feel like an uphill battle to find peace and fulfillment. But imagine a life where you're in control, where peace, calm, and genuine happiness aren't just fleeting moments but a sustained reality. Envision empowering yourself to silence the inner critic that's held you back, embracing your inner hero with every step forward. As your therapist, I aim high: to alleviate your pain, yes, but more importantly, to catalyze your growth and personal development. Utilizing a holistic blend of evidence-based techniques, enriched by my own experiences and inclusive of existential and spiritual insights when fitting, I'm here to guide you from where you are to where you dream to be. Therapy with me is more than a journey; it's a commitment to unlocking your best self, leveraging your unique complexities to uncover endless pathways to growth and self-discovery. Investing in therapy is investing in your unparalleled self. In our sessions, I pledge to meet you with unwavering compassion, to open your mind, embrace your challenges, and apply a diverse array of strategies to fortify your resilience. Together, as a unified team, we'll navigate your path to healing and self-realization.

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.

Namaste, my name is Ashwini Gupta and I am Therapist/Intuitive Life Coach specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Vedanta and Mindfulness-based practices. With 20 plus of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges, I am passionate about empowering my clients to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives truly being in touch with the essence of soul identity. Using ACT as my primary therapeutic approach, I create a warm and non-judgmental space where we can work together to address difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. ACT combines mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change strategies to guide clients towards psychological flexibility, allowing them to better handle distress and align their actions with their deeply-held values. What is ACT? At its core, ACT is a behavioral therapy: it’s about taking action. But it’s not about just any old action. First, it’s about values-guided action. There’s a big existential component to this model: **What do you want to stand for in life? **What really matters, deep in your heart? **What is the legacy do you want to create for yourself? ACT gets you in touch with what matters in the big picture: your heart’s deepest desires for who you want to be and what you want to do during your brief time on this planet. You then use these core values to guide, motivate, and inspire behavioral change. What is Vedanta? Vedanta is one of the world's oldest philosophies which affirms the oneness of existence and the divinity of the soul. A close look at the word "Vedanta" is revealing: It is the combination of 2 words: "Veda" which means 'knowledge' and "anta" which means 'the goal of'. In this context, knowledge refers to understanding one's own divine nature- meaning and purpose in life.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in Berkeley California and serving clients statewide via telehealth. I received my Masters in Integral Counseling from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2019 and my Bachelors in Psychology from Reed College in 2010. I have over 15 years of experience in Community Mental Health and have been practicing as a therapist since 2018. I work eclectically, integrating a wide range of approaches including humanistic, relational, existential, somatic, gestalt, psychodynamic, transpersonal, motivational interviewing, ACT, feminist, IFS, polyvagal, somatic experiencing, narrative, NVC, and IFS. I support people to find greater connection, safety, agency, meaning, authenticity, stillness and joy in their relationships with themselves, others and the world.

Chenda Dyck, LMFT holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Physical Therapy from Fresno Pacific University and a Master of Science degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from California State University, Fresno (2016). Born in Cambodia, Chenda came to the U.S. in 2003 with the love and sponsorship of an adoptive American family.

I get it - you are busy, tired, and overwhelmed. Therapy may seem like just more on your To Do list. Sustainable change does require effort and time - I will not waste either of these precious resources of yours! Together, we will find a reasonable and compassionate way forward. Together, we determine the goals you want to work towards and develop an action-oriented plan to get there. Together, we identify barriers to progress as they occur and creative, realistic ways to move beyond. I bring 37 years of experience in healthcare to my work, first as a physical therapist, specializing in neurological disorders. Shifting focus from physical to mental health, I completed graduate studies at Naropa University, earning a Master's in Mindfulness-Based Counseling Psychology. On retreat, I have trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli formerly of the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and studied Buddhism and meditation in sangha with Lloyd Burton, a Dharma teacher from Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Recognizing the impact of spirituality on health, I also studied pastoral care at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. I have worked with clients in hospital-based, private practice, and home-based family-directed care. I have taught mindfulness meditation, stress management, and health behavior change nationally to doctors, allied healthcare professionals, businesses, and government agencies, as well as an invited speaker at professional conferences and universities. I also have a long history as a corporate trainer, with a specialty in coaching nurses and health educators to deliver disease management and health behavior change services. When not working, I enjoy vintage car shows with my son who is on the Autism Spectrum and rock climbing.

Hi There! My name is Michael. I have my master's in clinical psychology, focusing on marriage and family therapy LMFT. I did my internship at Glendale Adventis Hospital, dual diagnosis program. Just because I'm an expert in my field, does not make me an expert about you. You have lived a life experience that no one can teach about in a grad course. You will teach me much more than the classes I took. I take many CE units (I joined an unlimited program), read work related books just for fun, and truly enjoy my work and private life. I'm grateful for everything! Outside the office I have two adult children, love to water ski, play drums, race cars, and fix things.

Areas of Expertise: PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosomatic Disorders, Addiction, Relational Issues, Stress Management, Family Issues, Couple's Issues, Personal Growth, East/West Psychotherapy, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. 7 years ago I created Psychosomatic Psychotherapy, a novel and highly effective treatment that integrates mind, body and emotion. This method targets blocked emotion and inflammation. Most Western therapies are essentially mind-oriented, but we are so much more than our thoughts. My approach includes elements of Emotion Focused Therapy, Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy and Zen Buddhism. Psychosomatic Psychotherapy treats all mental health conditions, many chronic medical conditions and is quickly effective at helping people and their problems. We begin by telling our story. We go at a slower pace than usual and we pay special attention to the emotionally important parts of the story, e.g., talking to our mother, worrying about work, conflict in a relationship, etc. Here we pause and direct our attention to our abdomen and ask, “How do/did I feel about this or that or him or her?” Then we wait. We don’t rush to answer the question with our heads, we wait for an answer to slowly arise from our bodies. We are bypassing our intellectual defenses and asking our bodies what’s really going on. When discover our feelings we express them in a full-throated and wholehearted way! Then we just feel (not analyze!) that feeling in our bodies until the feeling dissolves or almost completely dissolves, usually within a few minutes. Last, we scan our bodies for any lingering areas of tightness or tension in places like the stomach, chest, throat, head, jaw, neck, or face. When we discover where we’re holding stress and somaticized emotions, we feel these areas until the tension/tightness/emotion dissolves, usually within a few minutes. Developing a greater capacity to feel also provides critical and deeper insight into our issues. The overall goal is to unblock emotions and reduce dangerous inflammation by metabolizing and processing emotions and somatic constrictions in the body. Along the way, we are also challenging old, disempowering stories and replacing them with more accurate, empowering narratives. When treatment integrates the cognitive, emotional, and somatic dimensions of our conditions, mental and physical symptoms are significantly reduced.