EAP:United Healthcare Optum Therapists in California

Hi! I’m Dr. Darin Deterra, PhD, LMFT. I’ve been a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) for more than 25 years. I’m a Holistic Therapist, an Executive Coach, and a Quantum Healer. I call this the Golden Triad. ’m the author of several books, I'm an award-winning public speaker; a radio show host (Transformation Station in Monterey, CA), and a TV show host (Toasted TV in Santa Cruz, CA). I have lived in five different countries on four continents. I have written and produced more than 60 original songs, and designed a virtual world for kids that teaches Four-Dimensional intelligence. I have run marathons and triathlons, and bicycled triple centuries. I have climbed mountains around the world, and practiced skydiving in Washington, paragliding in Nepal, and parasailing in Africa. I have lived in Switzerland, Brazil, and India. I worked with Buddhist monks in Nepal and Bhutan, and I worked one-on-one with Ram Dass at his home in Maui. I have worked with some of the greatest healers on the planet and integrated this into my work. I have lived my dreams and I believe deeply that you can also.

Welcome to my practice. I am a seasoned therapist and have worked in many different settings over many years. All I ever wanted to do is help people have their best lives. I practiced social work with a Bachelors degree in prisons, community agencies for the disabled, a state hospital, a state facility for people with cognitive challenges, child and family welfare work and working with folks in community care homes. I also developed and led a community program for Guardians ad Litem in child abuse and neglect cases. Then I went back to school and earned my Masters in Social Work and then my therapy credentials after many hours of supervision. I truly enjoy listening and encouraging clients to embrace strategies for wellness and self-compassion using mindfulness and compassion and strength based materials. I am actively engaged in consult groups with other therapists focusing on trans and queer issues. For several years I taught at the graduate school level in South Carolina and then Utah, teaching social work students skills for working ethically and compassionately.

Hi, my name is Kathy. I am licensed in California as a marriage and family therapist. I have been practicing for six years. I work with adults that struggle with depression and anxiety. I have extensive experience working with individuals that have problems with substance use. I believe that you are the expert in your life. My role is to help you recognize your strengths and learn how to build on those strengths to help you become the best version of yourself.

Hello there and thank you for taking the time to review my profile. I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 17 years of combined experience working in the field of mental health and substance use. As a therapist, I like to provide a safe and nonjudgemental safe space for Clients to work on their concerns and achieve their goals. Most of my Clients feel that even if they have struggled to connect with other therapists in the past, they are able to connect with me and feel supported.

I believe that life is a beautiful thing, but at times, hurdles and trials can obscure us from seeing that vision. Do mornings greet you with anxiety or sadness? Have you noticed that your motivation within you has dwindled? Hi, I'm Ben, and my passion is collaborating with individuals like you to help them rediscover their very best selves. I thrive on connecting with my clients right where they are. Whether you're wrestling with depression, grappling with anxiety, or simply feeling adrift, I invite you to take the initial step and schedule an appointment with me! We will work together to chart a new course to rekindle your appreciation for the beauty surrounding us in life. My primary approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which empowers you to unravel negative behavior patterns, allowing you to break free from thoughts and actions that might be constraining your happiness.

A unique perspective on your life and life phase. You may want a better work/school/life balance. You may be struggling with a deeper loss or trauma. I give a clients the space to seek, find, and triumph, without getting lost. You may have goals you feel are out of reach. You may feel so swept up with others that you’re not even sure what your desires are. No matter what, as your therapist, I am here to help you find your goal and help you reach it with passion.

Are you looking for a new direction or searching how to live your best life? Life is challenging however there are opportunities to gain new insights and learn new skills in order to enjoy life and all that it has to offer. I enjoy incorporating active things into therapy, a sense of humor, and mindfulness. If you are trying to manage anxiety, depression, stress, work challenges, relationship problems, we will work together to find the solution that works best for you. Counseling offers a safe space to explore, learn new skills, and gain the ability to truly enjoy your life. I am available every other Monday for in person appointments and have some evening availability for counseling via telehealth.

Hello, this is Dr. Alton Carswell I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has worked with various groups and clients. If you are looking for a therapist who listens to you and acknowledges your unique perspective, you don't have to look any further. I have 16 years of experience working with singles, couples, military, LGBTQ, people of color, and undocumented immigrants from various countries. In addition to my hours spent working with varying communities, I have been highly involved as an alumnus of Antioch University in Los Angeles and as a recent doctoral graduate in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara. The types of clients I work with are Individuals, Couples, Families, Ages, Teens, Adults, Elders (65+), Groups, Bisexual Allied, Gay Allied, HIV / AIDS Allied, Lesbian Allied, Non-Binary Allied, Queer Allied, Racial Justice Allied, Transgender Allied, Ethnicity of Your Clients, Bi-racial, African-American, Asian-American, and Other Racial or Ethnic Background.

Hi there, I'm Tracie! Welcome and Thank you for visiting me. My name is Tracie Lee Cohen, I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, in California (LMFT 52915.) I received my Masters from the University of San FranciscoI in 2005. Currently I am working statewide via telehealth. I'm experienced working in a variety of venues, including but not limited to substance abuse/recovery; mood disorders; improving our self-esteem; domestic violence/ anger management.

My journey towards becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist began in 2004 when I received my B.A. in Theater from Southern Connecticut State University. Knowing it was my passion to creatively help others, I began teaching children in diverse settings including preschools, elementary schools, community centers, homes, and camps. I was introduced to Drama Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy as an Early Childhood Educator and never looked back! As I continued working with children, families, and parents of all backgrounds over the years, I found myself becoming more intrigued with their social/emotional dynamics as opposed to the academics of the profession. My realization led me to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I pursued my M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marital and Family Therapy. Since then, I’ve had many incredible opportunities to gain experience through the roles of a School Counselor, Program Therapist, Private Practice Owner, and Group Therapist. Through these experiences, I've grown immensely as a therapist by expanding the populations I work with and the specialties I’m able to offer.

***Please note that although Grow allows clients to schedule their own intakes, I require an initial free 15-minute phone consultation before treatment begins. The purpose of this call is to establish if we're a good fit in regard to style and goals. If we are not able to have that phone consultation at least one day before the intake, I will have to reschedule the intake. Thank you for understanding!*** Let's take a moment to acknowledge you being here! Thank you for finding your way to me, and I hope we can work together to help you make meaningful change in your life. I'm Albert Xiong (he/him/his), and I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist with 6 years of experience providing affirming therapy services to a wide variety of clients across multiple settings. As a gay, Chinese American, myself, I get what it's like to navigate facets of our identities that can sometimes feel at odds. After a career of providing services to disenfranchised folks on Medi-Cal, students in a high-achieving high school in the Bay Area, and a small agency, I've found that fostering trusting and supportive relationships goes a long way in being a therapist. In the (virtual) therapy room, you can expect me to be an animated and relatively lighthearted therapist; I pride myself on bringing my genuine self into our therapeutic relationship, and my genuine self is someone who's curious and playful. Milton Erickson said, "patients have grim enough lives, let's not give them grim therapy, too." And while I resonate deeply with this quote, you can expect me to always supply the respect and compassion you deserve when you decide to share about something grim.

My name is Dr. Gabe Veas, and I find joy in helping individuals, couples, and families pursue their mental health goals in a non-blaming and non-shaming manner. My primary work has assisted clients in exploring their identities by dynamically utilizing online psychotherapy. I incorporated photos, music, and art into the treatment to help clients deconstruct their narratives. I am committed to lifelong learning by holding membership with several professional groups, including the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, which assists me in helping clients experience sexual health, freedom, and healing.

Hello, I am a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of California, I live in the Palm Springs area of Southern Cal. My goal in life is to assist others with their mental health challenges and provide them with tools and education that will help them successfully manage these challenges. I look forward to seeing you in one of my sessions.

As a compassionate and affirming therapist, I strive to create a warm, accepting space where clients feel seen, valued, and empowered in their unique identities. My practice is deeply rooted in trans-affirming and LGBT-inclusive care, ensuring that individuals from all walks of life are met with respect, validation, and understanding. Grounded in anti-oppressive principles and a strong commitment to social justice, I work collaboratively with clients to navigate life’s challenges while honoring their lived experiences. I believe that healing is not only personal but also deeply connected to the broader systems in which we live. My approach fosters self-compassion, resilience, and empowerment, helping clients cultivate meaningful change in both their inner worlds and their communities. Whether you are exploring your identity, seeking support for life’s transitions, or working through personal struggles, I am here to walk alongside you with warmth, authenticity, and unwavering support.

Hi, my name is Dr. Carizma Chapman and I am a psychotherapist specializing in treating individuals and couples. I curate therapeutic experiences that support women and couples to achieve lifestyle, intimacy/relationship, career, wellbeing, and general life goals. I thoroughly enjoy and am adept at working with people with diverse identities and from diverse backgrounds. I tailor my therapeutic approach to the unique needs of clients.I am always jazzed to support clients to experience enhanced personal wisdom, develop a deepened experience of being grounded and alive, cultivate enhanced intimacy, create alignment with desires and behavior, and develop greater alignment of mind, body, and soul. I use evidenced-based experiential and system therapies to support clients to heal. You can expect me to create meaningful encounters for you to work with emotions, body sensations, thoughts, and relational patterns in real time. Our process will be thoughtful, appropriately paced, and attentive to any needs, concerns, or issues that come into the room. Whether you need support enhancing your work performance or relationships, adjusting to a major life transition, healing from a trauma, navigating a time of darkness, despair, and loneliness, or any other important issue, I invite you to connect with me to explore if I can support you on your healing journey. ** I am not accepting couples at this time.

Hello! My name is Erika Behnke, I'm a Marriage & Family Therapist. Despite my title, I work solely with individuals, but thanks to my background and training, I have tons of knowledge and experience regarding relationships (dynamics, boundaries, etc), and believe that relationships of all kinds are important and critical for our well-being. That said, we'll definitely talk a lot about relationships and try and understand and strengthen them as that you can thrive.

Hi! My name is Jason Markel (pronounced Mar-Kell) and I am honored to be considered as your therapist. I am a person who is passionate and dedicated in helping others and I use that passion to help clients overcome obstacles, heal pain and move towards living the life they want to live. It is always an honor and privilege to be welcomed into someone's world and I treat it as such.

My name is J.P. De Oliveira Estevão, and I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (L.P.C.C.). I provide a supportive, collaborative space where clients can explore challenges, build insight, and work toward meaningful change. I use proven methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic approaches, and Adlerian ideas to customize treatment just for you. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, find ways to cope with challenges and build a happier life.

I am a Hispanic Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my Masters from San Diego State University in Clinical Social Work, and have been practicing for four years. I provide bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural psychotherapy services to individuals 18+ struggling with mental health challenges and trauma-related disorders regain self-control and power. In my practice, I utilize a blend of holistic, multisystemic, and integrative evidence-based models tailored to your specific needs and concerns. I am gender and culturally affirming, incredibly compassionate and genuine, able to create an immediate warm and safe space that evokes clients to open up and share.

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I encompass a humanistic, person-centered approach and I believe in the mind, body, and spirit connection. I focus on the individual’s inner strengths with personal growth and resilience as a guiding light. As a therapist, I pull from various modalities, including Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I will tailor my approach to what it is you need out of the therapeutic relationship.

Welcome! My name is Jesus, I am a multi-state Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 5 years of experience working with adults. If you are struggling to cope with the challenges that are life, I am here to help you. I strongly believe that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all model, and because of this, I take a collaborative approach to meet my clients where they are to help get them where they want to be. My motto in life is, life is about making positive movements forward.

I work with adults across all life stages who are dealing with grief, chronic illness, substance use, and mental health struggles. I provide direct, compassionate care with the goal of helping you to find clarity, build practical coping strategies, and confront difficult topics while honoring your experiences. My hope is to support you in breaking free from harmful/limiting patterns and moving forward with resilience, knowing that you have a space to process these challenges where nothing is off topic.

Professional with over thirty experience collectively in mental health/clinic-based care and in an educational capacity. Bilingual fluency in both English and Spanish. Extensive work experience with culturally diverse populations throughout San Diego County and Ventura County. Knowledgeable in working with co-occurring disorders, substance abuse and a variety of mental health disorders. Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor since an intern in 2006.

"You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -A.A. Milne We all struggle at times to see our inner strengths and capabilities due to the life experiences which have shaped us. I work in the belief that we each have everything we need to achieve a fulfilled and successful life already present within us; sometimes we just need a little help accessing it. Using a multi-modality approach I encourage my clients to work in the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring us to self awareness, acceptance, and lasting change. I began my working career as an EMT in pre-hospital and Emergency Room settings. The desire to further my education and better serve my community led me to pursue becoming an LMFT. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandman University and a Master’s degree in Psychology with a dual emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling from Brandman University. I have additional training and experience in Clinical Pastoral Education from the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base and have worked in both residential treatment and clinical settings. I have four sons and two grandchildren. In my off time I enjoy spending time in nature, photography, and attending baseball games with my husband of 25 years.

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California that believes mental health is an important aspect to maintaining balance in life. I've been practicing for 5 years with extensive experience working with adults struggling with anxiety and depression. I also help young adults with life transitions such as starting college and beginning careers. I can help adults develop emotional intelligence, improve communication skills, and build self-esteem.