Therapists in California

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), licensed in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. I have a Master of Arts in psychology and have been practicing for 14 years. I help adults of all ages, who are struggling with symptoms relative to anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and other issues, to reduce their symptoms on their path towards mental wellness and the best version of themselves.

Hi I am Dr. Teyhou Smyth and am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #11450 and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#115137) in California Originally from the United Kingdom, I earned an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the California School of Professional Psychology and hold a doctorate degree in Education. I place a high value on personal development and allowing for the achievement of one’s full potential so that they may become the best version of themselves. I focus on relationships and attachment issues using Emotion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy working from an attachment-based model.

Considering counseling is a big step and takes courage. I want to offer you that safe space for you to share in a caring and understanding environment. I can help you through your challenging journey to overcome your angst. My name is Myrna Vargas-Evert and I an LCSW. My experience ranges from working with adults in empowering them to overcome the burden of Anxiety and Depression. I have also worked with children and families providing communication, parenting, and relaxation skills, CBT and Strength Based approaches. I am currently working with the Gerontology (older adult) population in Home Health & Hospice and persons who experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) through a specialized return to Home & Community Program by providing support to the patients and their families so that they can have a more meaningful life.

Psychotherapy relies heavily on the rapport between therapist and client, without it growth and trust cease to exist. I work towards understanding your needs and wants in a nonjudgmental safe, supportive, and empathetic environment. I believe mental health issues are a symptom of deeper, unresolved emotional issues and childhood wounds. I work with teenagers 13+ and adults. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy to help identify irrational thoughts and faulty thinking that are the main culprits behind anxiety and stress. I also utilize psychodynamic therapy to help uncover past issues, such as family dynamics and childhood issues. My full fee is $200 for individuals and $250 for couples, however I do work on a sliding scale as well.

Hello there! My name is Justin Altman, and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My approach to therapy is simple; I'm here to provide non-judgmental and positive support to my clients while occasionally applying a little gentle pressure to encourage them to grow and ultimately thrive. While my primary area of focus is working with individuals in the LGBTQ+, Polyamory/Open relationship, and Kink/BDSM communities, throughout my career I have worked with individuals from all walks of life to help them overcome the barriers keeping them from achieving their goals. At this time, I am accepting only clients for individual therapy - not couples/families.

I am a highly experienced practitioner with 45 years of clinical experience, willing to work with more complex cases. I am more informal (California beach style) have a calm demeanor, but communicate directly, with transparency and tact. My goals are. to ensure your safety, assist you in developing the skills and insights to approach a vast array of situations., with the best possible outcomes. I seek to provide you the means to manage immediate issues, but also techniques to become more independent in facing the inevitable future challenges of life. I have a tool kit of therapeutic approaches to find what best works for you, but also have extensive experience administering large behavioral health programs, where I can support the challenges of dealing with complex systems. I can listen attentively, educate you, and at times, assist you in accessing supportive resources, you may not have known are available or that you qualify for, to develop a holistic and comprehensive plan for continued wellness. I have accepted very complex cases, but stay within my areas of competency. These do not include primary chemical dependency treatment, LGBTQI+ issues, or eating disorders. I do not work with PC 290 registrants, those in court ordered treatment, workmen's compensation cases, or any others involving the legal system. I only do individual therapy. No couples or groups. I do not write letters for emotional support animals. I will complete FMLA/CAFRA paperwork for your employer and/or short-term disability forms once we have met long enough for us to have a sense of one another, typically 8-10 sessions. My clinical license information is linked below: https://search.dca.ca.gov/details/2002/LCSW/9561/945099cb09db3ad408421b2df2e9f7d4 (Profile picture taken October 2025)

As a licensed clinical social worker, I bring a compassionate and client-centered approach to help adults navigate life's complexities. With expertise in mental health and a commitment to fostering positive change, I specialize in addressing issues such as stress, relationships, and self-discovery. My therapeutic toolkit includes evidence-based modalities tailored to your unique needs. In my practice, I incorporate animal-assisted therapy as a unique and supportive element of the healing process. Whether it’s the calming presence of a therapy dog during sessions or structured therapeutic activities involving animals, I’ve found that the bond between humans and animals can open up powerful pathways for trust, regulation, and emotional connection. Animals can offer a grounding presence for clients of all ages and backgrounds, and I love seeing the ways they help people feel more comfortable, understood, and at ease.

If you’re a client who works with me, you can trust that you have a therapist with the highest level of education and training (B.A from Princeton; Ph.D. from UCLA), extensive experience working with individuals and couples, and a record of professional accomplishment (University Professor, Director of a Graduate Program in Counseling, author of multiple books and articles in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Human Development.) In addition to my work in psychology, I have a background in the creative arts as a Grammy award-winning songwriter and a published novelist. Because of this added dimension, some of my clients have welcomed suggestions for excellent stories, novels, movies, or television shows that depict characters who face similar challenges to their own and our discussions of these works and characters have provided these clients with another valuable source of understanding and growth. On a personal note, I grew up on the East Coast before relocating to California and I’m the father of two daughters.

Hi, I’m Sarah Hart, LCSW. I’ve been in the helping field since 2017 and have been providing therapy since 2020. I’ve had the chance to work in many different settings, like residential programs, crisis centers, schools, and virtual therapy. My approach is compassionate and flexible, using proven methods like mindfulness, cognitive strategies, and trauma-informed care. I specialize in helping people manage anxiety, depression, trauma, life changes, and mood struggles. Together, we’ll explore what’s going on, build new coping skills, and create a plan that fits you, so you can live a more fulfilling life.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California. I earned a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from JFK University. I have 15 years of experience helping individuals cope with the challenges they face in their lives. I have a specialty in treating individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use. I also have been trained in Brainspotting techniques that reduce the effect traumas and other upsetting life events have on a person's ability to find the happiness they want from life.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adult individuals with attachment and developmental trauma, PTSD recent traumatic events, and anxiety using mind-body approaches and attachment informed EMDR via telehealth. I've noticed that a lot of people with trauma and anxiety seem to benefit from using attachment-informed EMDR and parts work approaches that help you get to know the inner parts of yourself. Using a combination of these approaches can help with resolving inner conflict, connecting that sense of the "inner child" to healing and resources, and increasing inner strength and a sense of agency in your life decisions. I will use guided imagery in therapy and like to focus on the mind and body connection. I am also a big fan of weaving in values and mindfulness-based cognitive approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I have been providing psychotherapy services to youths and adults for the last 15 years. Through my educational and working experiences, I have been able to help people learn to manage and/or overcome: stress, anxiety, sadness, depression or losses due to any social, relational, interpersonal, familial, occupational or simply difficult life transitions. I utilize effective treatment methods, teach new coping skills, provide empathy, compassionate understanding and support during sessions with each individual clients, which in return has inspired them and improved their quality of life.

Hi there, I am Joanna Have you ever gone to therapy and found it hard to open up because the sessions appear rigid and impersonal, and maybe you felt judged? In my practice is my goal to lead sessions in a non-judgmental way, with the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives. I like to describe my relationship with clients as a relationship among equals. My role in the session is to help you process some of the challenges you are experiencing and offer skills that can help create the change you want to see in your life. My theoretical orientation is dialectical behavioral therapy and I try to hold the balance between acceptance and change, this means accepting that although things might be difficult at this moment we can learn new behaviors so life can be improved. My goal is really to help clients increase their overall satisfaction in life and relationships. I am also trained in trauma work to help clients process traumatic experiences.

Hello...I'm Tina! I help you holistically and sustainably manage and recover from anxiety, depression, burnout, and narcissistic abuse. When you work with me, I will help you understand your nervous system better, so you can learn how to regulate and take care of it better. This makes a world of difference for everyone. A bit about me - I have a background as an artist, health coach, and yoga instructor. I love to travel, read, write, listen to audiobooks and podcasts, do yoga and pilates, and I'm a big self-care nerd. I work well with other creatives. Looking forward to meeting you!

Greetings, Life can be confusing, relationships can be stressful, and the present can make you feel anxious or depressed. Sometimes a painful past can surface into the moment, especially when situations are difficult or when you are experiencing major change. During these periods your mood and thoughts can be affected in negative ways. When you are feeling alone, disconnected, or confused, talking things through can make all the difference. I work with anyone struggling to find joy, peace, and fulfillment. I offer a safe, inviting space for you to share thoughts and feelings, to vent, to feel heard, and to reorient to meaning. Please allow me to assist you finding relief and clarity. I will meet you where you are at and welcome you. I address healing on multiple levels of the body-mind connection with a focus on the notion that caring about something or someone along with experiencing meaning can counterbalance the effects of hurt, a disturbing past, or a present stressful situation or transition. I have more than 20 years of experience helping clients navigate major change and transition, gain closure, and create new beginnings. I apply interventions from a mind-body-being perspective and assess current life stressors to distinguish between situational mood and thought disturbances from those enduring and a consequence of previous hurt or trauma.

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.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. With over 11 years of experience and a Master's degree from Antioch University, I provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their experiences, rebuild confidence, and rediscover their inner strength. My approach is compassionate and tailored to each client, helping them navigate challenges and achieve meaningful personal growth.

Hello, I'm Amber Potter, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. I’m committed to creating a warm and empathetic environment where you can clarify your intentions, work through obstacles, and draw upon your inner strengths. My approach is collaborative and client-centered, aimed at helping you build a life that feels purposeful and authentic. Whether you're facing relationship challenges, managing stress, or striving for emotional balance, I’m here to guide and support you in moving toward meaningful change.

Hello, my name is Brigitta. I empower individuals to take back their lives by identifying their strengths, identity, and learn useful skills to help develop a future with hope and expectation. Together, we will explore what is making you stuck by utilizing a holistic approach and address issues of the mind, body, and spirit to strengthen you as an individual. I utilize elements of various modalities with each individual to find out where the wounds began, to close the doors to an unresolved past, to reframe negative core beliefs and its maladaptive influence, and to work towards healthy goals for your future. I can integrate faith-based counseling to build resilience and hope at your request. Our sessions will be a place of safety, growth, and rejuvenation for your soul. I will meet you with a non-judgmental and compassionate approach. As we build our therapeutic relationship, the process of healing and restoration will come. I cannot wait to meet you!

I believe in the value of building a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship to tap into your internal strength, self-expertise, and self-expression to promote growth and support healing. I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, #126521, in California, and I graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2015.

As an LMFT, I focus on seeing men and women with anxiety and depression by helping them feel more independent, develop their self confidence, set new boundaries with family, and bring new joy and peace back into their daily lives. I am licensed in both Texas and California, and love to see clients remotely for virtual sessions. In addition to my clinical experience, I also have a background in religious studies and am passionate about seeing clients from various cultural backgrounds and LGBTQ+. Whether you are starting therapy for the first time, returning, or looking for a better fit, all clients are welcome.

Sydelcis Mendez (Syd) is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in crisis, trauma, anxiety, and stress management as it relates to individuals, couples, and families during life transitions. Raised in the Bronx by her Dominican family, she witnessed the gaps in resources and opportunities for individuals of different backgrounds. Syd became a therapist after seeing the mental health strains in her community and noting the underrepresentation of qualified providers who provided culturally-sensitive treatment and systems-oriented support. Throughout her career, she has served individuals grappling with substance use challenges, homelessness/transient issues, health concerns, developmental needs, sexual assault, domestic violence, addiction, military service/veteran affairs issues, as well as family or marital challenges.

Welcome to your first step at receiving the care you need. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with a Master of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles. I have experience helping clients with a wide range of challenges, and I believe you have the strength within you to overcome what you're facing. I was drawn to the field of mental healthcare through my own personal experiences and a deep desire to help others. Pursuing my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Los Angeles, provided me with the knowledge and skills to support individuals in their healing journeys. My goal is to empower you to lead a more fulfilling and authentic life. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, or personal growth, I am here to walk alongside you. Together, we will work to identify and overcome obstacles, build resilience, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-compassion.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with adults, older adults, children and families. My approach to therapy is to meet client’s where they’re at, creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment to work through life’s challenges. I work together with my clients to establish and support their goals so that they will ultimately discover and develop their inner strengths. My goal is for clients to explore, develop and gain healthy coping skills to thrive. I provide support and guidance to individuals dealing with issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as the stresses that can arise from relationships, career, aging and other life changes. My clinical approach is strength-based, and trauma informed. I also incorporate modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused brief therapy and mindfulness.

Welcome! I'm Patricia Soto, a compassionate Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist committed to guiding individuals towards mental well-being and empowerment though all seasons in life. With a focus on addressing depression, self-esteem, anxiety, grief, life transitions, work-related stress, and challenges within relationships and families, I'm dedicated to helping you harness your innate strengths and work on your journey to healing and happiness.