Therapists in California

Hello! I am Dr. Efrain Zepeda. I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Social Worker. In the past 23 years of working as a mental health professional, one important lesson I have learned is that the most powerful therapeutic intervention is found in the interpersonal experience that occurs in the client-therapist relationship. Together we can analyze the past to co-create a new meaning to achieve healing. I strongly believe that therapy is not about labeling or judging, but rather about personal discovery.

My name is Silvia Ascencio, and I am a bilingual (Spanish-speaking) therapist with ten years of experience in the mental health field. I am licensed in both California and New Mexico. My areas of specialization include helping individuals navigate life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I utilize a client-centered and collaborative approach in my practice. This means that each session is designed to meet your specific needs and goals. I believe in working closely with you to determine the most effective strategies for your unique circumstances. I am committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

Hello I am a LCSW with 20 years of experience. I am compassionate and my goal is to help you feel empowered to make positive changes in your life and relationships. I have experience in helping my clients adjust to life's changes and assist my clients with better coping skills to deal with different challenges. I enjoy helping my clients see their strengths and weaknesses to help them lead a more productive and healthier lifestyle. I am empathic and am an active listener. I provide a safe environment for my clients. I believe every person has strengths and inner resources, I help my clients recognize those strengths to create a meaningful and lasting change in their life.

Currently accepting new clients, my name is Esperanza Applestein, I am a License marriage and family therapist with 25+ years of experience in the mental health field in California. I am a trauma informed clinician with extensive experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, attachment issues and life transitions. My style is warm, supportive, and thoughtful, helping clients deepen self understanding, strengthen boundaries and reconnect with themselves and others in healthier ways.

I have been providing mental health diagnostic assessments and therapy for almost 10 years. I use a down-to-earth, straight-forward approach to address adults struggling with relationships, attachment trauma, depression, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I create space to explore all aspects of oneself without judgement. I have a background in medical research, case management, mental health diagnostic assessments, and psychotherapy. I've worked in various healthcare environments that include emergency rooms, pediatric intensive care, hospital psychiatric floors, crisis stabilization, residential treatment facilities, and outpatient private practice. I'm a proud USC graduate.

I am a bilingual Latina Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. I graduated from USC in 2019 and I have been doing individual therapy for six years. I have worked with children, teenagers, adults, and families who suffer with depression, anxiety, self esteem, trauma, stress management and relationship issues. I love helping people, and I am glad that I can help others build skills and cope with their stressors and emotions.  My approach to therapy is client-centered as I want to provide a safe space, support, and help those in need. I am certified in MAP and FOCUS.

Simply put, there are 3 main things you can get out of therapy: (1) You can get supportive listening. (2) You can try to change your thoughts and behaviors. (3) You can find and let go of stuck feelings from the past. I offer therapy that focuses on (3). I specialize in intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP). It helps people find the roots of their inner struggles, and work through them more quickly.

Hi everyone, my name is Keala Zane and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I work with individuals including adolescents and young adults specializing in anxiety, depression, stress, peer and family-related issues, and relationships utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques incorporated with a client-centered approach to address stressors and life challenges. My goal is to support you with identifying challenges and barriers to your idea of success and making meaningful changes to live a more positive and fulfilling life. My goal is to also support you with feeling better about yourself and having the skills you need to feel confident in your abilities to address life stressors as they arise. My communication style is collaborative, personable, and nonjudgemental. I am authentic and genuine and truly believe in my clients. I am honest and I also believe that it is important for us to laugh at things that are silly, smile, and celebrate accomplishments and milestones. If it sounds like we would be a good match I look forward to connecting with you more soon!

Luke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in emergency medical services, nonprofit organizations, and hospital emergency departments. He is a United States Coast Guard veteran located in California. Luke has a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in social work, and a master's degree in public administration. Luke emphasizes healthy habit development, consistent focus on goals, and communication skills. Luke believes in solution focused therapy, positive psychology, reducing substance use, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve quality of life and achieve goals.

Gustavo is a licensed clinical social worker who has been providing therapy for the past 5 years. Overall, he has 17 years of experience in the social work field. Gustavo has worked in child welfare, hospital social work, tele-health and is currently a school mental health provider. These experiences have given Gustavo the tools and skills to be the compassionate clinician that he is. His experiences have also provided him the ability to see life situations through difference lenses. Gustavo's ultimate goal is to provide a safe environment, empathy and hope to individuals who are going through life challenges. He strongly values the importance of empowering clients, acknowledging their strengths and providing hope. On a personal note, Gustavo has been married for 15 years and has 4 children. He enjoys reading mystery, faith based and fictional books.

Hello! My name is Theresa Wallace and I have my License in Clinical Social Work. I specialize in treating trauma and have been trained in EMDR since 2020. I am currently taking on clients who are seeking EMDR therapy to treat trauma, phobias, and generalized anxiety. In my practice with clients I most commonly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) , and Motivational Interviewing. I received my Bachelors in Social Work from Franciscan University in Ohio in 2014, and shortly after completed my Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Integrated Health from Cal State Long Beach in 2016. With my social work background, my clinical lens comes through a systems/person-in-environment perspective, which means our problems are not solely our own in that they are influenced by our environmental systems including work, school, culture, family, local/national/international policy and legislation, social media and healthcare.

Is your inner critic really loud, having trouble coping with stress, seeking life balance and a deeper connection to your authentic self? Well I am here to help! Hello there future client! Lovely to meet you! My name is Rachelle (pronounced rey-chuhl). I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a specialization in Art Therapy, a Holistic Practitioner, bilingual English/Spanish speaking, a first gen Dominican-American, and former New Yorker living in SoCal. I specialize in supporting BIPOC experiencing chronic mental health issues define themselves as individuals and not by any trauma they may have experienced. In addition to applying a trauma-informed lens, psychology, and art, I integrate holistic approaches like Reiki, meditation, mindfulness, somatic movements, and sound therapy to create unique treatment interventions for my clients. I know that starting therapy can feel scary. Especially when you have been labeled as "the problem", think you are not good enough, or have been conditioned to suppress your emotions. This is why developing trust in the first stage of treatment is of the utmost importance to me. I apply a compassionate and non-judgmental stance to help my clients feel safe when sharing their stories and starting their therapeutic journey. Think we could be a good fit? Go ahead and schedule your first session. Let's work together to help you connect with your authentic self and improve your mental health! Looking forward to hearing from you! Please note - I am not a good fit for clients interested in couples therapy, clients experiencing thoughts of death/dying with or without a plan, clients engaging in self-harm, clients who have been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons at anytime in the past 12 months, clients needing support with substance use, and/or children aged 8 and under.

I’m a licensed marriage & family therapist offering short-term, focused EMDR therapy for adults who want meaningful relief—not long-term talk therapy. My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, clinical precision, and a deep respect for clients’ insight and resilience. I specialize in helping people process distressing experiences efficiently and safely so they can move forward with greater clarity, stability, and emotional freedom.

Hello, my name is Megan. I appreciate you taking the leap to want to do something different in your life. I know how hard talking about some of these big life issues can be like the death of our person, living through the struggle of infertility and acknowledging the weight of our anxiety is too much. Sometimes, we are stuck in our loop and yet, we do not have the perspective how to shift the big feelings to make you start to feel better. In the beginning of working together, I want you to feel comfortable sharing your story. Everyone arrives wanting a witness to their grieving at different stages of their process. Your relationship is to different each person had a different relationship to their person. I believe the importance of listening to what is said in the room or what is not said. Many times we are not able to verbalize our pain of trying to live without our person. I think a very necessary part to our healing is to be witnessed by another. My goal is to always create safety in the room. I am a fairly transparent therapist sharing sometimes my personal journey to connect and help clients realize they are not alone in their pain. I look forward to joining you in your healing journey.

Hi, I'm Melissa! I'm a therapist in California, and I have 13 years of experience supporting clients of all ages. I specialize in working with young adults, and enjoy helping clients navigate life transitions. I'm also passionate about working with survivors of trauma, and have particular experience helping people work through developmental and childhood trauma. My approach integrates practical, day-to-day strategies combined with emotional exploration, helping you gain insights into your thoughts and feelings. When I'm not wearing my therapist hat, I love reading, watching too much reality TV, and spending time with my family.

Welcome – I'm Glad You're Here I’m a humanistic and compassionate therapist who works with adults ages 18 to 64 navigating a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and life transitions. My approach is grounded in the belief that every person has the capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change. I view therapy as a collaborative process, where we work together to explore your unique experiences and uncover the strengths that already exist within you. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I aim to understand the whole person—your values, relationships, history, and hopes for the future. Whether you're facing a difficult season or seeking deeper self-understanding, my goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we’ll identify what healing looks like for you and walk that path side by side.

I believe that therapy can heal, but I also know that telling a stranger about your deepest pain can be a strange feeling. Perhaps you've been feeling sad, depressed or worried, and hopeless that anything in your life can change. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would even want help with. You know you feel bad, but if someone were to ask you "How can I help?", you aren't sure what you would say. These problems can feel permanent and unsolvable. After all, something feels broken and unfixable, so how could you not feel that it takes all the energy you have just to get up in the morning and go about your day? Depression or anxiety can also feel isolating, as if nobody else could possibly understand. You may have even received advice from people who you feel mean well but can't understand what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are not permanent or unfixable, and therapy can help. Imagine feeling peace of mind, and excited about life and its possibilities. It starts by learning about you and going at your pace. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience working with adults and teens, I've seen therapy work, and I feel lucky that I get to be part of that journey for others.

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like life isn’t quite yours? I help adults navigate: anxiety, depression, complex ADHD/ADD, generational trauma, C-PTSD, perfectionism, codependency, people-pleasing, and relationship or family conflict. I also support people during times of transition or entering a different phase in life that can be difficult to experience. I take an integrative and personalized approach by blending compassion, humor, and practical strategies to help you regain clarity, confidence, and a life that truly feels like your own. Whether you’re struggling with stress, feeling lost, or ready for meaningful change, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to make life feel a little lighter… and finally stop arguing with your own brain at 2 a.m.

Hello. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I am a graduate of California Baptist University and I have 25 years experience and licensed 18 years. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. However for approximately the past seven (8) years I am working with adults only; ages 18-65. I assist them with acknowledging challenges they are facing and learning new ways of coping.

Hello, I am a compassionate therapist who helps clients manage anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and the challenges of life transitions with greater confidence and balance. I use a supportive approach and create a safe, collaborative space where clients can build effective coping skills, improve focus, and navigate change with resilience. Whether working through the stress of daily life, adjusting to new roles, or learning coping strategies, I empower my clients to find clarity, strengthen their inner resources, and move forward with purpose.

My name is Kristine Fernandez, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the beautiful and sunny state of California. I have worked with all ages and specialize in trauma-informed care by using a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Humanistic therapy to help my client understand patterns and build hope within themselves and others. I want to provide encouragement that you will get through this.

Welcome! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I received my masters from UC Berkeley and have been practicing for a few years now. I work with individuals going through life transitions and unexpected directions in life. I have experience in motivational interviewing and trauma focused practice. I offer sessions every other week, and my practice includes providing clients with written worksheets for outside of sessions. I also like to work with clients to identify natural supports outside of therapy. If you are seeking someone to sign off on FMLA, EDD, SSI, Emotional Support Animal, time off work, ETC., I will refer you to your medical doctor and/or provider who you meet with in person.

Hi! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California with over 12 years of experience. I hold degrees from UC Berkeley, the University of Chicago, and Carnegie Mellon. My practice encompasses a wide variety of clients, including those managing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I am dedicated to helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve their fullest potential by building the skills for resilience to overcome these life challenges. T

Hi, my name is Kathy. I am licensed in California as a marriage and family therapist. I have been practicing for eight 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.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with an integrative approach to my work. My specialties include Cognitive Behavioral therapy, anxiety, grief, art therapy, stress management, mindfulness and guided imagery. I have a collaborative client-centered approach, which is warm, safe, empathetic and non-judgmental. I help you discover your own insight, cultivate strengths and find meaning and purpose for a more balanced life.

I have been providing mental health services since 2003. Throughout my career I have worked communities large and small and have provided services to client of all ages and clinical presentations. I have worked with Foster Youth struggling with attachment all the way to helping Older Adults find purpose and meaning. I specialize in trauma, particularly that which occurs in the context of the relationship. I enjoy working with couples and individuals struggling in relationships. I like to focus on promoting healthy connections with others and how to ensure this creates a lasting structure to manage life's challenges. In addition to this I encourage areas of strength to ensure our life has purpose.