Therapists in California

Hi, I'm Hazel. I'm a bilingual Asian mental health therapist fluent in both Vietnamese and English, dedicated to supporting neurodiverse adults, including those with ASD, ADHD, and co-occurring conditions. I am also trained in assessing and diagnosing adult ASD and ADHD, and I understand the importance of accurate identification to inform effective treatment. I am deeply passionate about working with neurodivergent individuals and understanding the unique challenges they face, such as low self-esteem, mood regulation difficulties, relationship struggles, loneliness, stress, executive dysfunction, and rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD). I strive to provide a supportive, affirming space where clients can explore these challenges and develop strategies for growth and healing. In addition, I have extensive experience working in hospice care, which has given me valuable insight into the complex emotions surrounding grief, loss, and mourning. I also specialize in supporting clients through grief, narcissistic abuse and healing, as well as processing trauma. My approach is holistic, emphasizing compassion and understanding through these profound experiences. Having endured my own share of trauma throughout my life—including experiences with sudden death, betrayal, and resentment—I bring a deep sense of empathy to my work. With a culturally sensitive approach, I aim to create a safe environment where my clients feel seen and supported. My overarching goal is to empower individuals to navigate their challenges, foster resilience, and promote overall well-being. I am committed to breaking down barriers to mental health care and walking alongside my clients through life’s many transitions with sensitivity and care.

Beginning therapy is often a decision made after much thought and courage. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming space where you can feel understood, explore what’s no longer working, and begin creating meaningful change. I believe in helping clients discover their inner strength, build resiliency, and develop the tools needed to move toward the life they hope to create. I completed my BA in Psychology at California State University, Northridge, and my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. I live in Ventura, California, where I enjoy being outdoors and in the sun—appreciating the balance and renewal that I also encourage clients to cultivate in their own lives.

Hi there, I'm Shobha. Do you feel stressed out, anxious in a social circle, feel blue? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? I help people manage anxiety and depression. Together, we can identify what's not working and get you back to balance. We'll use a whole person and CBT approaches, addressing the needs of your mind, body and spirit. Whether you're dealing with feeling down, overwhelmed, or stressed out, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome mental health concerns that are holding you back. Let's work together! Please note; that I do not offer couple' therapy but only individual therapy.

I have specialties in trauma, grief, and loss as my primary focus. In order to get this training, I’ve worked with programs in hospitals, with parole, and on the VA campus, as well as within LGBTQ+ community and programs focused on BIPOC clients. I've usually worked within a few areas at a time to make sure I can reach and create the best practice possible with all my potential/current clients. I also really enjoy/am familiar with working with anxiety disorders (PTSD, CPTSD, OCD, GAD), depressive disorders, Bipolar disorder, personality disorders, family systems, intergenerational trauma, and... really whatever you need to process, including life events like break ups or respectful divorces.

My greatest passion and inspiration is walking alongside individuals during their journey of self-discovery and improvement. This passion for helping others set me on my path of obtaining a Master's in Social Work, with a concentration in Health and Aging, and subsequently becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have experience working with individuals with substance abuse, chronic medical conditions, severe mental illness, life transitions, trauma, caregivers, those with brain impairments, and children and teens with that are diagnosed with developmental disorders.

Hi...I am a Marriage and Family Therapist working out of San Diego with 16 years experience in severe mental health, private practice, and working with Military dealing with everything from Couples Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction/Recovery, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Trauma, Family Therapy, and working with Adolescents. I'm a former College football player with a 13 year old son who is my everything. I love football and sports and enjoy exercise and being outdoors as my hobbies. More importantly, I'm a Christian believer who does not like religion, if that makes any sense. I believe that love conquers a lot, and my therapy style is a very laid back and relaxed approach with absolutely no judgment, but with great love and understanding.

I am a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 8 years of experience helping adolescents and adults manage and foster positive change through the lens of psychology. Driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of their lives, fostering growth, resilience, and meaningful connections. I hold a master's degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Health Psychology from Santa Clara University.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience offering trauma informed and mindfulness based therapy. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment approaches to support clients in better understanding their emotions, developing coping skills that feel usable in daily life, and navigating life’s challenges with greater steadiness. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, attachment styles, and unresolved trauma, with an emphasis on strengthening emotional awareness, building healthier communication skills, and fostering a more compassionate relationship with oneself.

Synchronize your heart and mind; so you can harmonize your life. When we are being pulled in thousands of different directions by our minds, it's important for us to ground in ourselves. It's important for you to connect to your heart and see what it needs. That's when you can find the bliss and harmony that you've longed for in life. Your life is a story to be told, and I am excited to hear it. In the course of my career, my heart has been touched by at least three thousand individuals who honored me with their stories of love, loss, trauma, and a deeper a need for understanding who he/she is. I love working with clients who are ready to be challenged and identify blind spots in their lives. Many of my clients are therapists themselves or work in the field of healing. We create an individualized therapeutic plan and strategy based on your comfort and pace. We move gradually but quickly to address what changes you want to implement in your life. Most sessions are active, rather than passive. Yet, the therapeutic space belongs to the client. You get to dictate and tell your story at your pace.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) committed to supporting clients in their healing journeys. I am certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC). My additional credentials—Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD), Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), Certified Mood Disorder Professional (CMDP), and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)—enable me to guide individuals in understanding the roots of emotional pain and build greater resilience. I grew up in an environment with people who never discussed mental health; this sparked an early interest in the unspoken challenges I observed. As a dual major in psychology and sociology, my coursework was impactful, and the lessons carried over into graduate school, where I earned dual master's degrees in social work and public administration. I completed internships at a domestic abuse shelter, a short-term residential crisis center, and a community behavioral health services facility. I took specialized trauma-informed care courses, as well as other coursework in the field. My professional experience includes work at a non-profit organization supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, serving as a psychotherapist and behavioral specialist for children with autism, ADHD, and adjustment challenges, and supervising social workers at county behavioral health agencies. I have also managed case management teams of social workers and nurses assisting individuals with catastrophic illnesses, and led project teams of case investigators, contact tracers, data analysts, and public health nurses in response to infectious disease outbreaks. I remain deeply passionate about helping clients in their healing from mental injuries and mental challenges; providing support in these areas has proven to be crucial, as they can affect every facet of human existence.

I’m a California LCSW who helps teens and adults move through anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. My approach is warm, structured, and practical—we’ll understand your patterns, strengthen coping and communication skills, and build goals that help you feel more stable and empowered in everyday life. I believe healing can be both compassionate and effective. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, confident, and connected, I’d be glad to support you.

I’m a Licensed Clinical psychologist dedicated to helping you create real, lasting change by tapping into your inner motivation and embracing your true personality, without the need to mask who you are. I earned my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the APA-accredited California School of Professional Psychology, with a focus on Clinical Multicultural Community Psychology. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychological assessment.

I am an LCSW and Army veteran. As a combat veteran, I found it hard to integrate back into civilian life, so that is what drew me to becoming a therapist. Helping others help themselves has always been my passion. My drive comes from those who have helped me and have given me the energy and passion to help others.

I am a dedicated psychotherapist committed to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, improve emotional well-being, and foster personal growth. With a client-centered approach, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, or life transitions, I integrate evidence-based techniques tailored to your unique needs. My goal is to empower you with the tools and insights to create lasting change and live a more fulfilling life.

Im a Bilingual English/Spanish-speaking therapist with a Marriage and Family License, with 19 years of clinical experience, 15 years licensed and in private practice. I consider myself to be bicultural. Having been raised as a first-generation American in a Latin family, I can identify with the mentality of someone living within two "worlds". Transitioning from one culture to another with seemingly different values, beliefs and language. I can easily understand the struggle that maintaining, and existing in both, can sometimes be. I've come to perceive and appreciate it as the gift of having a "bridge" that allows connection to, and understanding of, different aspects of people and life. My education has a foundation in Clinical Psychology, woven with holistic transpersonal themes, the connection between mind, body, and spirit, and just plain down-to-earth common sense. Always keeping in mind the client's personal beliefs and values.

Hi! My name is Jose Rodriguez, I have been working in behavioral health since 2008, and it has been a very rewarding experience. I have an energetic and enthusiastic approach. Please note that I am licensed in both California and New York. I stay up to date with the latest studies to provide the best care possible. I am well versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. I am originally from New York, so I have had the opportunity to gain experience at reputable institutions such as New York Presbyterian Hospital and Montefiore Health System. I have also served as Director of the Behavior Health Department at Salinas Valley Health in Salinas, California. I earned my BA in Psychology from Boston College and my Master of Social Work from Fordham University. I also earned my MBA in Healthcare Administration in 2019. Outside of work, I enjoy boxing, playing golf, yoga, lifting weights, and going to the beach! The goal in psychotherapy is for you to become your own therapist. We would achieve this in a collaborative and strategic manner. There has always been a need to address our emotional well being but until recent times, this topic is more accepted than ever to discuss. Not only do I help people address their problems, but I also aim to help people be self-actualizing.

Dr. Elena Balashova-Shamis is a highly experienced, licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adults, and the elderly. She is trained as a psychoanalyst and provides integrative, personalized treatments. She teaches at five local universities, including UCLA’s medical school. She is known for her presentations, publications, and dissertation advising. She also works with family and criminal law courts as an expert witness.

Jaime Askew is a psychotherapist with 25+ years of experience in providing intensive mental health and substance abuse services. She specializes in treating trauma, which is one of the most prevalent conditions and underlying factors associated with mental health and substance abuse issues. She is a certified trainer and provider of TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy) which is an evidenced based technique shown to significantly improve the negative effects from trauma. She is also a trained provider of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is also an evidenced based treatment modality show to statistically improve the levels of distress from trauma. She possesses an international certification in another evidenced based service, Triple P, an evidenced based treatment to address severe behavior disorders. Jaime Askew received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in English Literature at the University of the Pacific and received her Master’s Degree with honors in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy. She was among the first in the State of California to receive the LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) license, as well as being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Jaime has conducted research and has publications in the field of psychology and is working towards her doctorate in Integral Psychology. Jaime has a passion for techniques that treat the whole person, integrating mind/ body/spirit connections, treating the underlying roots of the problem, augmenting care with holistic healing, and integrating Western and Eastern Philosophies. Jaime has a certification of Adult Residential Facility (ARF) which is utilized to ensure that clients are maintained with the highest quality of safety and care. She has extensive experience in coordination with community agencies such as Department of Health Care Services, Social Services, Probation, and in JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Residential Facilitates) certifications. Jaime Askew has been an owner, CEO, Program Director, and Clinical Director in cutting edge addiction treatment facilities and continues to have a passion for helping others achieve happiness, heal from their traumas, gain insight for growth, and fulfill their highest potential.

I’m Dr. S. Kyle Cardwell, a licensed mental health professional with over 17 years of experience providing therapy to teens, young adults, and adults. I specialize in helping people navigate anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, identity concerns, and life transitions. I’ve worked extensively with adolescents in both outpatient and residential settings, and I understand the unique emotional, relational, and developmental challenges they face. In addition to my clinical work, I’ve also served in executive leadership roles—including as CEO of a residential treatment center for youth—where I oversaw program development, staff training, and systems-level implementation of trauma-informed care. My approach to therapy is both compassionate and direct. I offer a safe space for patients to speak freely, but I also ask meaningful questions and challenge patterns that may be holding them back. I use a range of evidence-based methods including CBT, DBT, EMDR, REBT, and psychodynamic principles, adapting treatment to meet the needs of each individual. For patients who wish, I can also integrate Christian faith into the process in a respectful and thoughtful way. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready for change, I’m here to walk with you toward healing, clarity, and a more grounded 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.

Hello and welcome! I am a doctor of Psychology, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional clinical counselor. I am located in California and have 14 years of experience in helping individuals navigate their emotional challenges through various evidence-based treatment methods. My goal is to empower you to understand yourself better, heal from past traumas, and improve your relationships, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

Hey there, I'm Mersedeh, but feel free to call me Mary! Are you currently feeling a bit stuck, like life's lost its sparkle? Do you sometimes wonder if change is just a myth? Are you missing the thrill of those early relationship days when everything felt like an adventure? Or maybe you're on a quest to cultivate healthier connections, both with yourself and the people around you. And if you've got some not-so-great habits you'd like to change, we've all been there. Guess what? I'm here to lend a friendly ear and a warm heart. Let's chat and work on bringing some sunshine with a warm smile and a can-do attitude, back into your life! I'm here to help you tap into the wisdom of your own experiences, and together, we'll create a nurturing space for healing and growth. My goal is to empower you, helping you understand what might be holding you back and guiding you through it. We'll embark on this journey using an evidence-based approach tailored to the unique needs of your mind, body, and spirit, ultimately restoring balance in your life. I'm passionate about incorporating Psychoanalysis, mindfulness, and art techniques to foster a deeper and more loving connection with yourself. Taking the step to seek therapy is a courageous move, one that demonstrates your commitment to healing your emotional wounds. Be proud of yourself for prioritizing your well-being, and let's work together to achieve the positive changes you're seeking! 🌱😊