Therapists in California

I'm so proud of you for taking the first step in you're therapeutic journey! This takes a lot of courage and bravery, characteristics you'll need along your therapeutic journey. I'm Aaron, and I'm licensed marriage and family therapist, and I'm here to help people grow in emotional maturity through learning the art of self-compassion and developing a positive mindset. When you start strengthening your emotional maturity, you can begin to face the future with more confidence, peace and hope.

Hi, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals as they heal from trauma, deepen self-understanding, and reconnect with their inner resilience. I believe healing happens in a space that feels safe, curious, and collaborative. You may be feeling stuck, anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed—carrying pain from past experiences that still echo in your present. Often, we don’t even realize how much our family of origin, early attachment patterns, or subtle relational wounds (like feeling invisible, verbally criticized, or emotionally neglected) shape how we relate to ourselves and others today. These so-called “little t” traumas—such as a lack of belonging or chronic invalidation—can be just as harmful as more visible “big T” traumas. Whatever the source of pain, my role is to help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that have been hidden, hurt, or exiled—and to gently guide you toward wholeness and relief.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California and I have been practicing since 2001. I graduated from the School of Social Work at Columbia University in the City of New York and have experience working with children and families, adolescents, transitional youth, young adults, elder adults, men, women, LGBTQ+, and the justice-involved. In this day and age, so many of us are bombarded with the day-to-day and simply living blindly, meaninglessly. So many tend to suppress and ignore just to survive. If you are experiencing a crossroads presently and wish to get out of being stuck, if you want to improve your relationships with your loved ones, or if you just want to be able to process safely and receive genuine and practical feedback, you may want to consider scheduling a therapy session with me.

Let me start by saying self-care is the one thing that we can do for ourselves, but is usually the last thing we do for ourselves. So, congratulations for taking the first steps in caring for yourself. The journey of therapy is not easy. There will be times when it gets exhausting but as you continue through your path the answers will be revealed through the work you complete with your therapist. It is a privilege and honor to walk the journey. As a therapist, I have worked with a plethora of clients from couples counseling, to adolescent, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Calling all anxious Millennials and Gen Z women! Do you feel overwhelmed, lost, confused, not sure what to do next? Do you feel like you have to live up to someone elses expectations, and just getting through the day is exhausting? You may be struggling to find deeper connection in your relationships, feel comfortable in your own skin, or knowing your place in this world. Life should somehow feel better, happier. Now more than ever, Millennials and GenZ individuals are feeling uncertain of how to feel fulfilled in life, and to find a sense of purpose. I would love to help you find those answers within. You are not alone in this! I have 10+ years working in the mental health field. I have worked at non profits with children and families, school systems with underserved teens, DCFS involved children, group practices with couples and individuals, and rehab facilities doing individual therapy. I would love to be apart of helping you identify and understand how you're feeling, make some adjustments, learn healthy coping, and bring some color back in your life. Lets explore issues, find hope, and make some meaningful changes. We can work together to tackle this wild thing called life together!

You don’t have to struggle alone! I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with you in your journey in discovering how to make positive changes, decrease negative behaviors and thoughts, and help improve your mood and engagement with life! In our hectic world we often find ourselves afraid to take risks that could jeopardize the stable lives we have created for ourselves. We remain in jobs, relationships and old patterns that no longer work, while symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, anger and self-defeating patterns keep us from making real changes to our lives. If that sounds like you, you are stuck. We can feel lost and alone when we are unable to move forward, whether in work or a personal relationship. Therapy can help you break free of that and thrive. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a focus on teens, adults, and couples. I have worked with clients on concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and family reunification. I received my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. I also minored in sociology.

My name is Shawna Reynolds, and I have been in the social work field for 20 years, and the clinical field for over 15 years now. I was drawn to social work to specifically to help provide a sense of safety, security and stability for youth and families. I bring that same sense of safety, security and stability to my Therapy Practice where using a variety of CBT and TFCBT different modalities I now help adult clients identify areas of self-improvement so that they can make positive behavioral changes in their lives to experience more positive pleasurable emotions such as excitement, happiness and a healthy self-concept.

I'm a bilingual (English / Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Southern California. I obtained my Masters degree from the University of Southern California in 2014 and my license in 2017. I have experience working in outpatient contract community clinics, crisis stabilization programs, and psychiatric hospitals. In 2022, I transitioned to working with only adult clients. I hope to provide a safe space for all my clients to process, heal, gain insight and awareness of limiting beliefs, and develop healthy coping skills to manage any challenges they are facing.

Dear Prospective Client, My name is Lina Rappoport, LMFT. I have been licensed since 2013. Originally from Ukraine I came to the US more than 20 years ago. I love to work with pre-teens, teens, their parents, and adults. I love meeting people from all around the world and I connect well with different cultures and ages. In me you will find compassionate, caring, and respectful individual. I will take time to listen and together we will create a plan of action to help you feel better. We all need support these days, so don't hesitate to reach out. I can't wait to meet you. Take care.

Shareela Allen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 11 years of clinical experience in the private and public sectors. Shareela is trained and certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Anger Management, and Grief and Loss for Children, Adolescents, and Adults. She enjoys working with various populations. Shareela’s approach is relatable, strengths-based, and collaborative. Shareela believes that through a direct and collaborative approach, her clients can explore the areas that prevent progress while finding their purpose. In 2020, Shareela cofounded her private practice, Change Therapeutic Services, Inc., where she maintains a relationship of respect for the therapeutic relationship while supporting clients in exploring areas that cause distress and developing goals as they move towards their future. Those who know Shareela will tell you she is fun, loving, loyal, organized, hardworking, and creative.

Hello, my name is Antolyn Rosales. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in the SF Bay Area in California. I received my Masters from the University of San Francisco. My specialty is providing psychoeducation and therapy to individuals and families to help manage difficult emotions and cope with stressors while fostering meaningful interactions. My therapy style is unique. I utilize principles and strategies from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Behavior Therapy to help make change. My role is to help one identify the source of the dysfunctional behavior patterns and offer guidance toward more functional behavior patterns and ultimately change.

Hi there, I’m Manny. Are you currently searching for a sense of meaning and purpose in your life? Do you find yourself in an existential/spiritual emergency? Are you exploring your personal identity, expression, or sexuality? I help people of all ages increase self-awareness and decrease symptomology by bringing unconscious material into conscious awareness. Trauma combined with an emotional core (experiences of intense fear/guilt/shame) commonly splinters parts of our personality and represses such into the shadow/unconscious realms of our psyche. In response, many of us have adapted and survived by putting on masks in hopes of fitting in and being accepted by the people around us. Mental health concerns eventually arise because deep in our mind/body/soul we yearn for authenticity/individuation. Clients may also experience suicide ideation and/or self-harm because there are parts of themselves that no longer serve them. Together we can explore which aspects of ourselves to let go, in order to make space for something new to enter. I am a Doctoral Candidate from Pacifica Graduate Institute, my studies focused on Depth Psychology with a specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices. As a Holistic practitioner, I believe that each individual already possesses what is needed for their healing and it is my duty, as a guiding witness, to help the client navigate, process, and integrate such.

Building self-awareness is often a hard place to start. I meet my patients where they are in their journey and support the process. Sometimes taking the first step to explore psychotherapy is confusing. Ask questions so you can find a therapist who is the right fit for you. My approach meets people where they are presently, to determine where they want to be in the future. I like to get to know my new patients to determine their needs in treatment.

Hello! My name is Elaine and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe that therapy should feel like a conversation with a trusted friend—open, honest, and without pretense. With a straightforward approach and a genuine interest in understanding your unique story, I aim to create a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship challenges, or just feeling stuck, I'm here to help you navigate life's ups and downs with compassionate support. Let's work together to find the path that feels right for you. My specialties include: working with parents who have a child with special needs, LGBTQ+ issues, and grief. I know you are tired of not feeling like yourself. You deserve to start feeling good again.

Welcome! My name is Karin and I’m here to help you discover the healing that your mind and body are capable of. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and a Holistic Health Coach from Santa Monica, Ca. I am a certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP). Across my professional experience, I have worked with multiple individuals and couples struggling with Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem, and emotional eating.

Hello, My name is Thalia Diaz, and I'm thrilled to have been connected with you! As a therapist, I strive to create a warm, caring, and non-judgmental space to work with clients. I am aware that the times in which talk-therapy is sought out are also the times in which life feels overwhelming. Whatever that struggle may be, I believe that the human spirit is strong and capable of healing. I am passionate about working alongside my clients to heal those wounds and setting them up to be able to reach the goals they've set for their futures. Though I have experience working with a wide range of people, my passion is to help young adults who struggle with trauma, depression, grief, and/or anxiety to process their life stories, strengthen their sense of identity, and develop the skills needed for the life they desire.

Hi, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my master's in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in California and have been practicing for the last 8 years. Adversity is a part of life and we all experience it and feel isolated. However, I believe it can be an opportunity to grow stronger. I use strength-based supportive approaches that promote growth and healing. My approach focuses on deep care and respect for you. I value your experiences, thoughts, and feelings and apply a non-judgmental stance making my sessions a comfortable experience. I focus on providing a collaborative and supportive environment where you can express yourself freely.

 Love and work are essential to a meaningful life. Relationships with others define experience and work gives a sense of purpose. Disturbance in these affect well being and contribute to an overwhelmed response leading to collapse. As trauma is relational so is recovery and healing. Having the right therapeutic alliance is a key element and requires, attunement and constistency.  James has over 17 years of clinical experience treating diverse individuals in a variety of settings. As a Mind-Body-Awareness trained therapist, he works with adults having problems with anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. In addition to having a graduate degree in Social Work from San Jose State University; he also attended years of practicum training from the following: Certification in Somatic Experiencing from SE Trauma Institute; Sierra Institute for Contemporary Gestalt Training; Professional Training in Hakomi Mindfulness-Based Experiential Psychotherapy Santa Cruz; iRest Integrative Restoration, an evidence informed meditation practice for trauma; Certification in Satyananda Yoga Nidra; and Completion of 500 hours of Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training. 

https://sherryyamlcsw.com Hi, I am a trauma consultant who graduated from the University of Southern California, with years of culturally diverse EMDR therapy experience since 2011. My expertise is to tailor research-supported EMDR therapy with highly successful expat, AAPI professionals (e.g. Journalists, Actors, Scientists, Corporate Leaders, Producers, First Responders) who experience a Medical Related Trauma, Fear of Flying, Stage Fright, Phobia, Unprocessed Grief, car accidents, wild fires, War Trauma or Cultural Issues. I received my trauma training at the National Center for PTSD and the EMDR Trauma Recovery Humanitarian Assistance Program. In our society, we overlook the necessity of trauma work for our highly successful leaders. Many of my clients come to me are specifically looking for EMDR therapy to resolve barriers so they can be a better leader and find a better work-life balance. Others come to me for EMDR therapy after they tried talk therapy for years and didn’t see the progress they hope for.

I am Dr. Paul Fernandez. I have been a licensed therapist and psychologist for more than 30+ years. I have spent my career concentrating on providing mental health services to the Latino/Hispanic community in Southern California, with a special emphasis in substance abuse, addiction recovery, anxiety/stress, depression, and anger management. I bring a unique, spiritual, Latino/Hispanic perspective to mental health counseling that focuses on the needs of our community. Soy el Dr. Pablo Fernández. He sido terapeuta y psicólogo autorizado durante más de 30 años. He pasado mi carrera concentrándome en brindar servicios de salud mental a la comunidad latina/hispana en el sur de California, con especial énfasis en abuso de sustancias, recuperación de adicciones, ansiedad/estrés, depresión y manejo de la ira. Aporto una perspectiva única, espiritual, latina/hispana al asesoramiento de salud mental que se centra en las necesidades de nuestra comunidad.

Hi, I’m Kendal McDowell and I have years of experience working with teens and older, with a primary focus on working with college students and college athletes. Having been a college athlete myself, I'm familiar with the joys and stressors of collegiate life. College can be an exciting and eye opening experience, but sometimes it can also open our eyes to some things within ourselves or those around us we may not have noticed before.

My Name is Linda Arroyo, a Marriage and family therapist in California. I am glad you have decided to take the first step in reaching out for support. As a mental health therapist, I understand parenting and or life can get tough, and unexpected life events such as divorce, loss of a loved one, blended families, new environments, etc, can create anxiety, anger, fears, irritability, and depression.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Masters from New York University and have been practicing for 13 years. I have also have 7 years of experience as a educator and supervisor for pre-licensed therapists. I love helping my supervisees and clients overcome their challenges, learn great lessons in the process, and achieve their highest potentials.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California with over two decades of experience. I specialize in working with individuals facing depressive disorders, bereavement and grief, self-esteem issues and those navigating life transitions. I have a genuine curiosity about people and deeply appreciate their uniqueness. My open mindedness and empathy allow me to connect with clients, creating a supportive environment that respects and honors the distinct experiences of each individual. When you feel sad, isolated, misunderstood, and you struggle with issues related to self worth, or when you experience losses in your life, therapy can offer you support so that you could find meaning in those experiences, and ultimately live a more fulfilling life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience as a psychotherapist, complemented by my background as a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. My clinical training includes a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, which informs my understanding of how diverse life experiences shape individuals’ perspectives and interactions with their environments. This foundation allows me to approach therapy with cultural humility and a deep appreciation for the complexities of identity and systemic influences. In my practice, I utilize a person-centered, solution-focused approach that prioritizes client autonomy and self-determination. I collaborate closely with clients to identify their unique challenges and barriers, empowering them to develop realistic and meaningful short-term and long-term goals. Together, we explore and optimize the therapeutic tools that clients have already been using, while considering the introduction of additional strategies when appropriate. My goal is to support clients in creating actionable plans that align with their values and aspirations, fostering resilience and sustainable growth in both their present lives and future endeavors.

Elyse is a Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist. She attended Pepperdine University and earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. Elyse has been licensed since 2000 and provides cognitive behavioral therapy, to young children, teens, adults and families suffering from anxiety and depression. She has a special interest in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with a focus on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to address symptoms, as she witnessed its effectiveness with her own daughter. Elyse's experience includes working with children and adolescents and their families/caregivers in school-based settings, out-of-home care. and private practice settings. Additionally, Elyse has training as a Child Development Specialist from Thalians Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, focusing on supporting families with young children struggling with social-emotional regulation. Mindfulness strategies are utilized to help all clients, including her youngest clients, feel empowered by increasing their self-awareness. Change is not an easy process, as it is often more comfortable to accept what is familiar. The desire to change, (whether it is feeling stuck, relationship issues, life transitions, unexpected circumstances, old habits, or patterns of behaviors), occurs when the pain to remain the same is greater than the discomfort associated with the uncertainty of change. Here you will find a warm, welcoming, collaborative, safe space to embrace the courage to change, heal and become the best version of yourself.

I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 12+ years of experience. My specialties consist of psychosomatic illnesses, relationships, and career counseling. I received my Bachelors degree in Child Psychology, initially working with the teen/young adult population. I then transitioned over to adults as I pursued my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Whether it's individuals, couples, or the geriatric population, I'm happy to get to work with whomever comes my way. I do my best to facilitate a warm, trusting environment. Looking forward to speaking with you soon!