Optum Therapists in California

My name is Mark, and I have dedicated more than 15 years to working with families and youth in the foster care system. Before entering the field of foster care, I served as a combat medic in the military. This experience shaped my commitment to helping others and laid the foundation for my career. I have always been drawn to roles where I can make a positive impact on others’ lives. Helping people has become my true passion. In all my work, I strive to share joy and compassion, centering my approach on the unique needs of each individual I support.

People seek therapy for many different reasons. Maybe it’s the result of a specific incident which impairs our ability to cope, heal and progress, or perhaps the culmination of longstanding habits, that render unfulfilling or even detrimental results. I make every effort to empower clients to evolve beyond their instincts if the results have prevented them from reaching their goals. I approach each client with curiosity in an attempt to shed light on their unique decision making process and to enhance their ability to make more healthful choices. While this process is often started through difficult and sometimes traumatic circumstances, the best results take place when the therapist you have chosen respects you enough to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Effective therapy is built on safety, partnership, trust, risk-taking and respect. When practiced consistently, the likelihood is increased that these very principles will be applied to your personal relationships in productive and positive ways. I look forward to our work together.

My name is Anna Grabarczyk (grah-bar-chick). European-born and raised, I bring over 12 years of clinical experience. My approach is engaging, action-oriented, and solution-focused, while always grounded in compassion and empathy. I value working with people from diverse backgrounds and strive to integrate a broad psychological and cultural perspective into therapy. With deep respect for different belief systems, I also recognize and thoughtfully address the spiritual dimension of emotional healing when it is meaningful to the client. I focus on several approaches, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Solution-Focused therapy Trauma-Informed care Attachment-Based theory EMDR Ericksonian techniques

Hello, I’m Sascha, If you’re here, you’ve already taken an important step toward prioritizing your mental health. Beginning therapy can bring up a mix of emotions...empowerment, uncertainty, even hesitation—and all of that is valid. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. My background includes work in county-based services, nonprofit mental health, foster care, and school settings. These experiences have allowed me to support individuals across a wide range of needs and life circumstances. I believe that people generally have an internal sense of what they need and where they want to go, but at times can feel stuck or unsure how to move forward. My role is to help you gain clarity around what may be contributing to that feeling and to work collaboratively with you to develop practical, meaningful ways to navigate challenges. Life stressors such as relationship dynamics, limited support systems, past experiences, and difficulties with emotional regulation can all impact our ability to function in the ways we want. In our work together, I aim to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where we can explore these areas and move toward greater stability, insight, and fulfillment.

Hi! I’m Pooja Parashar, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with a Master’s from USC. I’m passionate about making therapy accessible & breaking the stigma of seeking help, especially with clients of color. My approach centers on building an empathic connection & meeting you where you are. I offer virtual & in-person services, specializing in trauma, communication issues, & anxiety, viewing clients holistically within their broader life context. I strive to create a healing environment by tailoring therapy to your needs. I am deeply committed to offering a supportive space where you can truly feel safe and heard.

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, understood, and comfortable being yourself. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, and overwhelming emotions. My approach is warm, supportive, and collaborative. Together, we’ll explore what’s weighing on you, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you feel more confident and in control of your life.

I am an LCSW based in the Bay Area who offers compassionate psychotherapy and counseling to people coping with loss, grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I have deep expertise in end-of-life navigation, both pragmatically and emotionally, both for clients facing their own end of life, and their family members and caregivers. My approach is relational and trauma-informed, focused on building trust in a supportive and therapeutic environment. I have specific expertise working with school-aged and adolescent children, teens, and young adults, as well as significant experience providing grief and loss counseling to adults of all ages. Navigating change and loss are some of the most profound challenges we face, and it can feel overwhelming and isolating. I believe that grief is not something to be "fixed" or hurried through, but rather a normal, powerful human response that needs space, patience, and support. My practice is built on the understanding that every age group expresses and processes loss differently, requiring a highly personalized and creative approach. I support my clients to co-create a safe space to express and process their emotions, build coping skills, and uncover strengths and resilience, to be able to move forward at the pace that is right for them. Grief impacts every aspect of life, and there is no "right" way to grieve. Together, I support my clients to find hope again, understanding that we can move forward without "moving on."

Hello there! My name is Adriana Soriano a bilingual (Spanish-English) LCSW born and raised in Southern California. Contemplating therapy? Let’s take this journey together towards emotional and spiritual wellness, a commitment to positive change. I believe as the client increases self-awareness, they then can begin to see growth and experience self-actualization, the ability to become the best version of one self. This progression forward, can be transformative in mind, body and spirt. It is also my belief that someone’s present reality may be influenced by memories of past experience, including early adversities, in turn affecting a person’s current perceptions of the world and others, as well as expectations for the future and interpersonal interactions.

I am an LGBTQ+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist. I am committed to offering kind, compassionate, culturally responsive, and practical support to all of my clients as they navigate the challenges of daily life. The goal is to help you achieve positive, healthy healing and lasting change through evidence-based practices and responsive and practical support.

I look forward to meeting you! While I have been licensed for 10 years, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of social work. I have the privilege of working with various populations from young children to adults and older adults in their journeys through life with LGBTQ+ identities, varying socioeconomic statuses, multicultural experiences, and religious backgrounds. I find this calling incredibly meaningful and hold this work and other individuals with much respect and care.

Welcome! ¡Bienvenido! My name is Silvia and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of California. My mission is to create a positive, supportive space where you feel truly empowered. Therapy should feel like a meaningful conversation—one that helps you breathe a little easier and feel a little lighter each time we meet. I strive to offer an environment where you feel heard, supported, guided, and safe. Through a humanistic approach, I focus on making our time together feel valuable, collaborative, and deeply meaningful.

My practice supports adult women navigating anxiety, depression, work stress, self-esteem challenges, and major life transitions. I also focus on coping skills, chronic health issues, spirituality, college phases, peer relationships, family dynamics, dating, long-term romantic partnerships, and marriage. For clients who are ready to create active, lasting change, we will work together using solution-oriented techniques and compassionate support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Hello-My name is Ryan, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based out of Southern California (Long Beach). I work with young men and adult males in an individual setting, and I specialize in men's issues, substance use disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and anger issues. It is my goal to support you in getting back on track and finding your way again. I will help you identify negative self-talk and faulty cognitive errors that are causing emotional pain and discomfort. My approach involves providing you with the tools and techniques that will assist you in being the best version of yourself- which is happy, joyous, and free. We can work together to modify thought processes which will improve feelings, behaviors and outcomes. My therapeutic orientation is cognitive and behavioral based, as well as solution focused. My approach is geared toward helping identify negative thoughts and belief patterns which cause emotional discomfort and unhealthy outcome results. I work with teens and adults who are struggling with substance abuse issues, depression, and anxiety. You are not alone.

With over 15 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, I provide a grounded, compassionate, and highly personalized approach to mental health. My practice is built on the belief that whether you are navigating the complexities of childhood, the challenges of adulthood, or the intricate dynamics of a relationship or family, you deserve a space where you feel truly heard.

I am a compassionate, client-centered therapist who focuses on creating a safe, supportive space where people can explore their experiences and work toward meaningful change. My approach blends evidence-based practices with genuine connection to help clients build insight, resilience, and confidence. My style is collaborative and empathetic, communicating in a way that feels grounding and approachable. This combination makes clients feel both heard and guided.

Hi! I've worked in the community for over ten years and understand the importance of of intersectionality. I'm Accepting new clients online in California and Florida. I help clients challenged by boundaries, restless thoughts and big shifts in life. I specialize in treating people from underrepresented communities. This includes women, LGBTQI, People of Color, and more. I strive to create a non-judgmental environment to explore conscious and unconscious patterns and beliefs that contribute to current challenges. I have typically worked with clients challenged by identity, gender, sexuality, depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, life transitions and relationship issues.

As a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over four years of specialized experience, I deliver online therapy for adults. I specialize in helping clients reduce anxiety and navigate major life transitions, including relocation and career changes, and intimate relationship shifts, offering dedicated, personalized support to help you thrive through every shift.

Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I have been practicing for 15 years. In the past 7 years, I have engaged in doing short-term, goal-oriented therapy with adults. I have always thought that individuals (especially adults that seek out therapy willfully) have in them the potentials to rethink their situation and work towards resolving their concerns when provided the appropriate tools allowing them to clearly see and identify what their objective is at that time.

I received my Bachelors of Arts in Communications and Master’s of Science in Marriage Family Child Therapy from California State University, Fresno. I am also a semester from graduating with my second Master’s of Science degree in Psychology. Throughout college, I was able to represent Fresno State University as a member of the collegiate rodeo team. This was extremely special to me, as the Central Valley has been my home since the day I was born. I grew up in a small town called Lemoore, California on my family’s 100-acre cattle ranch, which was home to my family, my cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandmother and grandfather. I have been with my college sweetheart for six years now and have been married for a little over a year. With this said, I can relate to the complexity of family dynamics and interpersonal relationships, as well as the effect that they can have on our lives. My passion lies in supporting individuals because I believe that each individual has their own integral part of the human experience. Each individual is unique, bringing their own set of morals, beliefs, triggers, traumas, and more. In my role as a therapist, my objective is to assist every individual in crafting the best possible life path for themselves.

*Please note: my current openings for California clients are on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at various times from 6am - 1pm PST only. Unfortunately I do not have capacity to offer afternoon or evening appointments, or openings on other days of the week.* Congratulations on taking the first step in finding support - it's not easy to ask for help! My name is Bryssa (Bree-sa) and I am here for you. I aim to provide all of my clients with empathy, care and authentic support for what they are experiencing. I want to help my clients set boundaries, learn to identify and communicate their emotions, find their power and develop their sense of self worth. I have my Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) as well as my Masters in Social Work (MSW), though I joke that I was born a social worker. I hold an LCSW license (Licensed Clinical Social Worker #118448) and am committed to the values of social work in everything that I do: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by persistent self-doubt or caught in patterns of behavior that no longer serve you? Do you find yourself struggling to connect past experiences with your current challenges, leaving you feeling stuck or unfulfilled? I commend you for taking this courageous step toward enhancing your mental well-being. Embarking on therapy can evoke a mix of emotions—empowerment, uncertainty, even apprehension—and that's perfectly natural. With years of experience, I offer a grounded, compassionate approach to help you navigate life’s challenges.

I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in California, providing tele-health services to adults statewide. I work with individuals who are ready to take an honest look at their lives and make intentional, meaningful changes. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, life transitions, managing stress, managing relationships and boundaries. My approach to therapy is collaborative, practical, and growth-oriented. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. I tailor each session to your needs. While we may explore past experiences to build insight, our primary focus is on how you apply that insight to create real, lasting change in your present life.

I bring both professional knowledge and lived experience to my work as a therapist. Living with a Bipolar I diagnosis has given me firsthand insight into the challenges of navigating mental health systems, stigma, and the ways these experiences can affect identity, relationships, and everyday life. This perspective allows me to meet each client with empathy, genuine curiosity, and respect for the meaning they make of their experiences. I am a shamanic clinician, which has been largely shaped and inspired by experiences with what’s often referred to as mania or psychosis. Perception is central to my therapeutic approach. Our histories, emotions, environments, and nervous-system states can all influence what we notice, how we interpret events, and how we respond. By exploring these patterns without judgment, I help clients expand their awareness, consider new perspectives, and develop greater choice in how they relate to themselves and the world around them. My professional experience includes psychiatric residential treatment, addiction medicine, youth detention, and private practice. I integrate somatic and sensory-based approaches (including brainspotting, meditation, drumming, sound therapy, aromatherapy, guided visualization, and shamanic-inspired practices) to support emotional processing and nervous-system regulation. I also emphasize nature, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and other foundations of whole-person wellness. From Grow Therapy's Leadership: "Based on your exceptional client engagement and outstanding care, you’ve officially qualified as a 2026 Grow Therapy Thriver! 🎉 (roughly 700 out of 25,000+ providers) This recognition reflects the meaningful relationships you build with clients from the start and the trust you inspire through your work. Becoming a Thriver places you among a select group of providers who set the tone for excellence across the Grow platform. We’re honored to celebrate this milestone with you."

My name is Ana Maldonado and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Ventura, California. I am currently working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults, adolescents, couples and families, and specialize in anxiety, stress, and family conflict. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Strength Based Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling better.

In our work together, I will focus on understanding your unique needs and helping you prioritize your mental health. My goal is to guide you toward becoming the healthiest version of yourself, finding moments of peace to make each day a bit lighter and brighter. I’m committed to honoring your cultural, religious, and spiritual principles, ensuring that you can both care for yourself and continue to support others. With a diverse professional background, I tailor therapeutic interventions to fit your individual needs, offering a personalized approach to your well-being.