Therapists licensed in California

Hi, I’m Dr. Kristen Montiel. If you’re here, chances are something in your relationship, or within yourself, feels harder than it should. You might be: -Overthinking, anxious, or needing reassurance in relationships - Feeling disconnected from your partner, even when things seem to be going okay -Trying to repair after a betrayal or affair and unsure how to move forward - You are a high-achieving, self-aware person who’s frustrated that insight hasn’t led to change yet I specialize in working with high-achieving individuals and couples, including those navigating affair recovery, parenthood, anxiety, and relationship disconnection. I know searching for a therapist can be a daunting process but I'm so glad you're here! With over 15 years of experience and training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, I help clients understand the deeper patterns driving their experiences and how to actually change them. My goal is to help you feel more secure, connected, and confident in your relationships and in yourself.

I’m Dr. Andy Davis, a licensed psychologist with 18 years of experience in the mental health field. Thirteen of those years were spent serving in the U.S. Air Force, where I had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. My clinical focus includes depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress, grief, personality disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, and concerns related to sex and pornography addiction. As a sex-positive therapist, I provide a safe and affirming environment for clients to explore sensitive areas of their lives without fear of judgment. My therapeutic style is both solutions-focused and rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I believe therapy should be proactive and goal-driven, helping clients not only gain insight but also develop strategies for change. Clients often describe me as direct and honest, while also compassionate and collaborative—I strive to give practical feedback and advice that can be applied both in and outside of sessions. I especially enjoy working with veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and young adults. These groups often face unique challenges, and I consider it an honor to walk alongside them as they navigate life’s complexities. In addition to my clinical work, I have an extensive background in clinical research. While serving in the Air Force, I conducted sleep studies and developed modern treatment approaches for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. This research continues to inform my practice, and I place strong emphasis on developing healthy routines, quality sleep schedules, and consistent self-care as foundations for mental health. I often work with clients to build structure into daily life, recognizing these habits play a powerful role in resilience and long-term well-being. Above all, my goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where clients feel empowered to face challenges, discover new perspectives, and build lasting resilience.

I’m a warm, authentic and persistent 51-year-old who loves this work. Clients often feel like they’re having an insightful, heartfelt conversation rather than a formal therapy session. I create a space of deep listening and acceptance where you can explore your inner world safely and honestly. By helping you understand and care for the parts of yourself that carry pain or conflict, we ease anxiety and depression and open the door to greater balance and emotional freedom. I speak with an accent—just something to keep in mind. Soy una terapeuta de 51 años cálida, autentica y determinada que ama profundamente este trabajo. Mis clientes suelen sentir que están teniendo una conversación sincera y llena de claridad más que una sesión de terapia formal. Creo un espacio de escucha profunda y aceptación donde puedes explorar tu mundo interno con seguridad y honestidad. Al ayudarte a comprender y cuidar las partes de ti que cargan dolor o conflicto, aliviamos la ansiedad y la depresión y abrimos la puerta a un mayor equilibrio y libertad emocional.

I run Unscripted Therapy, a practice focused on helping people break out of stuck patters. I work with individuals who are tired of having the same conversations and somehow ending up right back where they started. Whether it’s anxiety, stress, or relationship patterns that keep repeating, something isn’t working—and at this point, that’s pretty clear. My approach is direct, collaborative, and focused on actually changing what’s not working. I’m not going to just sit there nodding while you vent and then ask how that made you feel for the tenth time. We’ll figure out what’s keeping you stuck and start doing something different about it. Therapy with me is honest, practical, and yes—sometimes a little blunt. But it’s also real. If you’re looking for something that actually helps you move forward (not just talk about why you’re stuck), we’ll probably be a good fit. Please note: Insurance is accepted for individual therapy only. Couples and family therapy are private pay and are not billed through insurance.

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel understood, supported, and challenged to grow. I take a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach, helping clients develop practical skills that create lasting change rather than temporary relief. Together, we will address the root of what it is that you are experiencing. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, or feeling stuck, we'll work together to understand what's keeping you there and build a plan that helps you move forward with confidence.

If you are feeling stuck, and unable to make changes in your life, you're not alone. Whether it's in your professional life, your personal life, or both, feeling unsuccessful at doing life may affect your mood, your outlook, and your health. Repeated frustration and disappointment can lead to depression, anxiety, problems sleeping, etc. For 20 years, I have worked with people to help them unlearn negative behaviors and thinking patterns, replacing them with new habits and ideas that support the changes they want to make. Through experiencing success, most people find a new sense of accomplishment that improves their mood, enabling them to take better care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally, Deciding to enter into therapy is an important decision. I believe that it can be a major turning point in your life, and by working through a modality that considers your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, you are very likely to achieve the quality of life that you are seeking.

Hi, I’m Lorren, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I create a space where you can be fully yourself, where healing is about coming home to who you are with compassion and clarity. I work mostly with individuals in their teens, 20s, and 30s, and center BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized identities in my work. I specialize in anxiety, identity exploration, grief, and relationship therapy (including non-traditional structures like ethical non-monogamy). My approaches vary from CBT, ERP, Play Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, The Gottman Method for Couples/Relationship Therapy, and I have a deep commitment to social justice and systems awareness. When it fits, I bring creativity and nature into sessions as tools for healing.

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.

Hi, I'm Zoe. If you’ve landed on my page you may be struggling with your relationships, dealing with unresolved issues from the past that keep you feeling stuck and experiencing feelings of stress, hopelessness, burn-out and make you contemplate your worth. If you relate to any of the above I am here to help! I work with adolescents age 16+, adult individuals & couples. I have a passion in helping those heal from these experiences and build the type of relationships with others and yourself that you desire. My background is within Attachment-based/Psychodynamic Therapy but I incorporate other modalities such as mindfulness, solution-focused, acceptance and commitment and internal family systems. For couples I am trained in the Gottman approach for couples therapy and use this to guide treatment while incorporating attachment themes. My approach is warm, compassionate and collaborative while also helping to challenge my clients in order to meet their goals. Due to an error on the system I am only available between 1:30-2:00pm PST to book a free 15 min consultation and do not have 1pm as a standing hour long appointment. Please feel free to message me in the portal if you have any questions regarding scheduling.

I’m Melissa Lapides, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in attachment and relationships. I work with individuals and couples to understand how early experiences shape the way you connect, communicate, and repeat patterns in relationships. I’m warm, direct, and grounded—compassionate, but honest—and I’ll help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface while gently challenging the patterns keeping you stuck. My goal is to help you feel more regulated, secure in yourself, and empowered to create healthier relationships rooted in emotional safety, deeper connection, and real intimacy.

Hi, I'm Jacqueline. Do you ever wonder, am I enough, as an individual, in relationships with others, at home, at work, or in other environments? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? I would love to help you manage anxiety, depression and improve your relationship with yourself and others. Together, we can identify opportunities to feel balanced and to be your best self. We'll use an approach that will address your need for a healthy mind, body and spirit. Whether you're dealing with overwhelm, self-judgment, relationship issues or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy can make a difference. Taking the step to reach out can be the right choice. Carl Bard once said, "Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start today and make a brand-new ending". I am available to support you during your life transition, self-growth and renewed healing. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can be your best and feel your best. Let's work together!

Welcome! I am a couples therapist helping partners work through conflict, communication breakdowns, and emotional disconnection. I specialize in how ADHD, anxiety, attachment wounds, and emotional stress show up in relationships. I often work with couples who feel stuck in a painful cycle where one partner shuts down, avoids conflict, or becomes overwhelmed, while the other pushes harder for connection, answers, or reassurance. Many of the couples I work with love each other deeply but feel exhausted by repeated arguments, defensiveness, resentment, or feeling more like roommates than partners.

I received a B.A. degree in Psychology from UCLA and an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University. Recently I received a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health Policy and Practice from Northcentral University. I also have a Ph.D. (ABD) in International Psychology with a concentration in Trauma Response from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1996 (LMFT 33119). Previously, I worked for UCLA's Career Counseling Center as a Psychometrist, and as a social worker for the Department of Children and Family Services. Additionally, I worked as a Children's Mental Health Clinician for San Diego County Children's Mental Health. Following my work with children, I conducted Psychiatric Evaluations for the Emergency Department at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside and worked at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center as an Emergency Department Patient Liaison/Analyst. More recently, I worked as the Director of Family Services for a Native American Tribe, and as a Wraparound Clinical Program Manager for foster children at a nonprofit. Currently, in addition to my private practice, I teach as an Online Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University.

Hi, I'm Tiffany! I'm an LMFT with nearly a decade of experience, offering telehealth therapy to clients in Oregon, California, and Arizona. I hold an MS in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and I've completed specialized training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. My focus is often on what goes unaddressed: new mothers struggling beyond the baby blues, dads who feel lost, anxiety or low mood that won't lift, repeating relationship patterns, or self-criticism that's hard to shake. If something feels off, that's reason enough to start. My style is warm and direct.

Hi, I'm Sondos and I’m dedicated to providing a warm and inclusive space for individuals of all backgrounds. With a lens of trauma-informed care, I offer support to navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. I tailor my approach depending on each client and pull from various theories including DBT, CBT, psychodynamic, and narrative. I don't believe there is a "one-size fits all" approach in therapy and am happy to find a style that best matches your needs!

Hi, my name is Alyssa, my cultural background is Italian and Hispanic. I am also married to an Iranian and have learned for decades about Iranian culture. I am familiar with first responders and have proudly been invited to do several ride-alongs with a local Police department. I began my work practices as a therapist in the Bay Area of California and have been serving for 8 years. I enjoy providing a non-judgmental environment to support you with providing skills and tools to improve life's challenges. I went to NDNU for my master's program, earning my Master of Science in clinical psychology. I did my undergraduate degree at Menlo College in Atherton California. Most of my time has been a significant amount of years working with children aged 0-5, in school settings, and with couples. I enjoy engaging in relationship building, providing tools you can apply daily, and also with women who have experienced trauma. I also am an animal lover and enjoy spending time with my husband and children, hiking, reading books, and engaging in meditation during my free time.

¡Hablo Español! Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. My name is Roxana, and I’m a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Southern California. I proudly served in the Marine Corps and have been working in mental health since 2012, providing case management to individuals facing homelessness and severe mental illness. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in diverse settings throughout Riverside County, including Domestic Violence and Forensic Mental Health, where I worked closely with men in the Criminal Justice System. During my practicum, I provided individual counseling to military members, veterans, and first responders, helping them address relationship conflicts, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. My therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as Gottman Relationship Method (Level 1). However, I believe that effective therapy begins with a genuine, person-to-person connection—one that builds trust, fosters open communication, and creates a sense of safety and mutual respect. My goal is to create a space where clients feel truly seen and valued, and I occasionally use humor to support meaningful therapeutic work that fosters long-lasting growth and change. Thank you again for visiting my profile—it would be an honor to work with you!

As a California Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in supporting adult individuals navigating all that goes with life transitions, anxiety, and depression. My therapeutic approach is geared towards guiding you through a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, ultimately helping you become the best version of yourself. Through my expertise and compassionate counseling, I provide a safe space for you to address and overcome challenges, fostering positive change and emotional well-being in your life.

Coy is a licensed psychotherapist with a decade history of working with survivors of combat trauma & sexual trauma, couples, grieving families, military, law-enforcement/ first responders, and coaches & athletes. Coy is also a Purple Heart recipient Marine Veteran with multiple combat tours. He has first-hand experience with what most people are going through. NOTE: Unfortunately, my caseload is full for COUPLES THERAPY and I only conduct this in-person.

I was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States at twelve with my family as Jewish refugees escaping antisemitism. This experience shaped my understanding of safety, identity, and belonging. It taught me that love and connection are things we create intentionally, through effort and care – not things we can take for granted. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and my Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University, where I trained in Ego Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. During my school years, I came out as gay, which shaped my understanding of vulnerability, acceptance, and love. Later in my life, through continued internal work and community connection, I came out again – this time as nonbinary. These experiences inform my work with couples: love deepens when we are allowed to be fully seen. For over 15 years, I have worked within one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, supporting individuals and couples across diverse identities and lived experiences, including many within the LGBTQIA+ community. That work reinforced what I know to be true about love: it requires communication, boundaries, repair, and the willingness to try again. I completed a 6-month didactic rotation at the largest health care system in the country and UCSF in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, a research-supported approach focused on strengthening bonds and restoring emotional security. I have also earned a certification in Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, an evidence-based method that helps couples grow friendship, manage conflict, and build lasting connection. In therapy, I help couples slow down, observe what is happening between them in the present moment, and make different choices.

Hello, my name is Damanpreet Kaur Mangat, LMFT, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist who supports both individuals and couples as they navigate life’s challenges. For couples, I help partners strengthen their connection, work through relationship obstacles, and rediscover their capacity for growth, healing, and mutual understanding. For individuals, I provide compassionate therapy for concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief, and other personal challenges. In my work with couples, I focus on improving communication, addressing emotional disconnection, and developing healthier ways to manage conflict and relationship dynamics. Together, we create a safe, non-judgmental space where both partners feel valued, heard, and understood. Whether you are facing specific challenges or simply want to enhance your relationship, I guide you through a process that fosters trust, respect, and emotional intimacy.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist. For almost a decade, I have worked to help many diverse clients, including adults, teens, children, and seniors. Treatment areas have included depression, anxiety, mood disorders, crisis intervention, self-esteem, marital counseling, pre-marital counseling, grief, and more. I am a client-centered therapist who works collaboratively with my clients to help them achieve their goals. The most common theoretical approaches I use in my practice include CBT, DBT, Trauma-focused therapy, and the Gottman Method. My sessions can be described as warm, inviting, supportive, collaborative, and educational. When working with me, I will not only listen to your concerns but also help you identify ways to address and overcome them.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals with complex and high acuity mental health needs. My work is grounded in trauma informed and trauma responsive care, with a strong commitment to creating inclusive, affirming spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent clients, and individuals in rural communities. I work across the lifespan, including children (7+), adults, older adults, families, and couples. My approach is collaborative and empowering, centered on the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives and require my clinical expertise. I often describe my role as “working myself out of a job” to help clients build the insight, skills, and confidence needed to advocate for themselves and navigate systems independently. As a trauma specialist, I tailor evidence based interventions to each client’s identities, needs, strengths, and goals. My primary approaches include Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)-(EMDRIA certification pending), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. I also integrate Internal Family Systems informed interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, exposure based strategies, mindfulness, and other approaches as clinically appropriate. I adapt treatment for neurodivergent clients and clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities because therapy should adjust to the person and not require the person to adjust to therapy. I am continually shaped by the courage, insight, and lived experiences clients bring into our work. Every advanced training, specialty, certification, and state license reflect lessons learned from clients. I carry their trust, stories, and influence into every session with gratitude and responsibility. To learn more about my clinical approach, specialties, services, book an initial consultation, and private practice, please visit Mapping Resilience Therapy Center at https://mappingresiliencetherapycenter.com/

Hi, I’m Kristen—Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 13 years of experience supporting high-achieving women and young professionals who are navigating burnout, career transitions, and the pressure to “hold it all together.” Many of my clients are driven, capable, and successful on paper—but internally feel overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected from the life they’ve built. They’re often at a turning point: ready to pivot careers, grow a business, or redefine what success actually means for them. My approach is collaborative, direct, and results-oriented. I combine evidence-based therapy with practical strategy to help you regulate stress, gain clarity, and make confident, aligned decisions—without spending years in therapy. This work is about more than insight; it’s about creating real momentum in your life and career. You can expect a space where you’re both supported and challenged—where you don’t have to perform, but you also won’t stay stuck. Together, we’ll move you out of burnout and into a more grounded, intentional way of living and working. For those who value faith as part of their healing, I also offer a nondenominational, faith-integrated approach rooted in compassion, purpose, and spiritual alignment. Whether you’re building something new, questioning your next move, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again—this is a space to reset, realign, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. I am also a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, and my professional experience includes serving in the Veterans Health Administration, where I supported Veterans navigating mental health concerns, life transitions, relationships, housing instability, and other complex challenges. My experiences as both a clinician and Veteran have strengthened my appreciation for resilience, identity, service, and the many ways our experiences shape how we understand ourselves and relate to others. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work with an academic focus on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. This training informs my commitment to culturally responsive care and helps me recognize how identity, family, relationships, culture, socioeconomic circumstances, and broader systems can influence mental health and well-being. I approach these conversations with cultural humility, curiosity, and respect for each client’s individual experience. My therapeutic style is person-centered, collaborative, and solution-focused. I believe clients are experts on their own lives, and therapy should provide a supportive space to understand patterns better, identify barriers, build on existing strengths, and develop practical strategies for meaningful change. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I work collaboratively with each client to establish realistic short- and long-term goals that reflect their individual needs, values, and priorities. My goal is to help clients gain greater insight while also developing tools they can apply outside of therapy. Together, we work toward creating meaningful, sustainable change that supports greater resilience, healthier relationships, improved emotional well-being, and a life that feels more aligned with who they are and where they want to go.