Therapists in California

I am a Bay Area native woman who identifies as a Christian, mother, social worker, and African-American. Growing up, I had a rough childhood in which I stayed with multiple family members and was exposed to the “fast” life and dysfunctional relationships, as well as the “9 to 5 working”, church centered, married life. While both made me into the woman I am, it was really my grandparents taking me in as a teen and showing me unconditional love, that made me able to not become another statistic, and understand what love is. My healing journey was not easy, but it was necessary! It is the people who poured into me and believed in me when I didn’t love or believe in myself that help me transform from broken and angry to the confident woman who loves herself and steps out on faith and gives back to those who have past or current circumstances that are holding them back from being there best version of them. I am not here to judge or tell anyone how to live. I am here to help people release their traumas, hurts, and other obstacles so they can restore to a healthy level of functioning mentally, spiritually, and physically. I focus on the person as a whole as our health mentally, spiritually, and physically, has a direct impact on on well being, and an imbalance in any one can hinder our level of functioning.

I am a licensed therapist providing compassionate, collaborate results oriented therapy for clients seeking to change their lives for the better. I am devoted to acceptance and commitment therapy with the understanding that people have the capacity to grow and resolve. I believe that clients have the answers within themselves to remove barriers and challenges in their lives and it is a privilege to assist them in recognizing it and bringing it out.

About Are you feeling unfulfilled in your relationships, choices, and just life? Those who feel detached from those around them often believe they're a burden and bring no value to those around them. If any of that resonated with you, you may feel disconnected from different areas of your life, such as work, relationships, family, and interests. Many individuals go through life never feeling like they belong and lack fulfillment, joy, and a sense of identity. You're here looking to finally put yourself first, to find a sense of satisfaction in your life, and I'd love to be part of that journey so you no longer feel alone. I take great pride in helping individuals find their sense of belonging and overcoming deep negative schemas that they aren't worthy of love. I do this by helping you work through those fears of abandonment, criticism, and rejection. Forming healthy relationships and attachments are instrumental in my approach, and you'll never feel alone. Life is challenging, and it's an even bigger struggle when we are our worst enemies. You may feel like a burden to those around you, but you won't have to feel that way in our therapeutic relationship. I invite you to have a free 15-minute consultation with me to ask any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to being part of your journey.

Hi! My name is Ayesha and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my Masters from California State University, Sacramento and have been practicing for 6 years. I am a Christian, trauma-focused, strength-based, and humanistic approach therapist. I commonly use person-centered, CBT, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy to support my clients. I value providing a safe non-judgmental and private space for individuals. My goal is to provide warmth and acceptance during sessions and beyond. My journey as a therapist began in my childhood. I was raised by a single mother and experienced poverty throughout my childhood. God has been my strength and anchor. I grew up in diverse settings which has given me the ability to have empathy and hold a safe space for all people, especially marginal communities. Most of my extracurricular activities throughout my life have involved meeting the needs of people. I aspire to be a safe space and sounding board for others and believe giving back is what makes life meaningful.

The most precious you can give to yourself is a little bit of your own attention. Life can get so busy and it's easy to become distracted by daily tasks. This makes it easy to loose sight of the most important person in your life....YOU! You are the most important project that you will ever work on and I am so glad that you are here. I have over 24 years of experience in the mental health industry and I am passionate about working with clients from all different backgrounds and life paths. I have experience working with a wide variety of ages from children to adolescents and adults. I also have experience working with with a variety of mental health diagnosis. It has been a blessing to have worked as a School Counselor for 22+ years, and know that it has provided me with a wealth of experience in so many areas with a large variety of clients with all different needs. I strive to meet my clients where they are and am passionate about helping them work on their goals. I have particularly enjoyed helping clients manage transition, trauma, depression, grief, adjustment, anxiety and parenting. I also am passionate about working with First Responders and their families. I have been part of a First Responder family for 27+ years, which has provided me with a wealth of information as well as compassion and commitment to serve this population.

Meet Tara Zandi, LICSW – a compassionate and highly skilled therapist with over a decade of experience supporting adults, children, and families. Tara holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and an MSW in Clinical Social Work, blending deep academic knowledge with practical expertise. She’s trained in a powerful range of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, PCIT, EMDR, and even yoga for children—offering a holistic and personalized approach to healing. Whether working through depression, anxiety, or behavioral health challenges, Tara meets her clients with empathy, insight, and culturally sensitive care. Fluent in English and Farsi, Tara creates a welcoming space for diverse communities to feel seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward wellness.

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." — Arthur Ashe Hello there! I am first a mom, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, and a neighbor and friend. In my life, I have naturally been inclined to help others. Realizing this, I decided to embark on a journey to become a professional helper of other humans, to help improve their life and feel better about their choices. Along this journey, I have become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. I obtained my MA from Pacific Oaks College in 2013 and my Psy. D. Marital and Family Therapy from The Chicago School in 2021. I then started working in counseling and after completing my continued education for counseling studies with an emphasis on alcohol/drugs abuse studies at UCLA in 2020. I support and promote clients to explore their potential and utilize strengths to manage challenges in life. As your therapist, I strive to be authentic and nurturing and come from this understanding, as my true self, and as a South-American therapist. My years of experience and navigating through life while learning the art of therapy and counseling helped me to develop a strong patient-centered approach to join patients where they are at. Feedback I have heard from clients is that my experience working with different cultural backgrounds helps clients feel safe and they report that I have a more inclusive therapeutic relationship with them than other therapists.

Hi, I’m Marvin West, a bilingual Spanish-speaking therapist with training in Expressive Arts. I believe therapy is a powerful tool for growth, healing, and self-discovery. You are the expert of your own experience, and my role is to meet you where you are—through the highs and the lows—offering guidance and support along the way. Let’s take this journey together to create a brighter, healthier future for you.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the next steps in your life? I am passionate about creating a supportive and affirming space where individuals can explore their experiences, gain insight, and develop meaningful coping strategies. With extensive experience working with individuals—including children, teens, adults, and elders—I help clients navigate the complexities of anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, and relationship concerns. When working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression, I use evidence-based approaches to help them understand their emotions, identify triggers, and build effective coping skills to regain a sense of balance and well-being. I guide clients through life transitions, whether it’s adjusting to a new phase of life, career changes, or shifting family dynamics, by fostering resilience and helping them create a path forward that aligns with their values and goals. For those engaging in identity exploration, I provide a nonjudgmental space to reflect on personal, cultural, and societal influences, helping clients cultivate self-acceptance and confidence in who they are. I also support individuals and couples in navigating relationship challenges, whether it involves improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, or healing from past relational wounds. I take an inclusive, culturally responsive approach to therapy, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and valued. By integrating various therapeutic modalities, I tailor sessions to meet each individual’s unique background and needs. My goal is to empower clients with the tools they need to foster personal growth, strengthen relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I believe therapy should be a collaborative, empowering experience where clients feel supported in their journey toward healing and self-discovery. My style is direct, warm, compassionate, and goal-oriented, helping clients not only process their emotions but also develop concrete strategies to create meaningful change.