Polyvagal Therapy Therapists in California

Polyvagal Therapy is a body-centered approach that helps clients understand and regulate the nervous system’s response to stress and trauma, fostering a sense of safety and resilience. Rooted in polyvagal theory, this therapy incorporates techniques to calm the body’s physiological responses, supporting emotional balance, self-regulation, and healing. With 13 polyvagal therapists in California, you can access trauma-informed care that nurtures the mind-body connection. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist listed below is currently welcoming new clients, offering timely access to specialized, body-focused mental health support.

Nick Prelesnik

(he/him)

Nick Prelesnik, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LMFT
1 year of experience
Virtual
In-person
136 South Imper...
I've worked at premiere facilities such as Hoag Hospital and the Betty Ford Clinic. Previous to becoming a therapist, I worked as a substance abuse counselor. I'm duly licensed as an MFT and substance abuse professional. Working with the underlying mental health issues which have driven addictive tendencies as a coping mechanism have been a specialty. I have experience working with veterans and their families, and I'm from a law enforcement family. I'm also part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I have been practicing polyvagal theory and it's interventions to address anxiety and depression, as well as bipolar disorder. It's been a critical touchstone in helping clients to conceptualize a healthier way of functioning. I'll help you to understand the window of tolerance and to start paying attention to your dysregulated states.

Danielle Chen

Danielle Chen, LP - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

$225/session
LP
10 years of experience
Virtual
Thanks for connecting. Allow me to introduce myself. I have worked with a variety of clients dealing with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD, trauma, issues of identity, questioning how to relate to loved ones, and working through issues of faith and connection to God. The common thread is connecting the past to the present and helping you make sense of questions and problems that are likely causing you a lot of distress. I want to help you gain clarity and peace, so you can experience more joy and lightness in your life. You may not even be sure what is causing pain and confusion in your life. My role is to help you put the pieces back together, so you can feel more comfortable and confident.

Jeff Golden

(he/him)

Jeff Golden, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LMFT
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there! I’m Jeff. Do you feel alone, stuck, or unable to reach your potential in your relationships, career, or overall health? Is it hard to accept yourself or others? Are you struggling to communicate with the people you care most about? YOU deserve support!! I help people through life changes, anxiety, depression, grief, and addictions. We can explore what works and does not work in your life and find useful next steps together. With evidence-based approaches, we can empower you to take action on what matters most to you. I applaud you for your courage to explore therapy and support options. In safe and compassionate conversations, we will learn together what can increase your overall satisfaction and sense of connection in life. Let’s start that journey together! NOTE: At this time, I am not working with minor clients. SCHEDULING NOTE: While some assistance may be offered during sessions, clients are responsible to schedule follow-up sessions to ensure a desired and treatment-recommended frequency. Unless otherwise agreed upon, if no session occurs for 3 weeks, the therapeutic relationship may be considered terminated. Thanks for assisting in keeping services and progress workable!

Lori Sanderson, MPH, PhD,

(she/her)

Lori Sanderson, MPH, PhD,, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$100/session
LCSW
20 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! My name is Dr. Lori Sanderson. You can call me either Lori or Dr. Sanderson. I do not have a preference. I enjoy looking at your thoughts and how they are contributing to your stress anxiety level, physical pain level, or overall feelings of sadness. How you think contributes to how you feel and behave. How you behave also contributes to how you feel. I will meet you where you are but will also help you to develop a stronger and healthier version of you. We will do this together by helping you to get to the root of your struggles and giving you the tools to get through it. I am a big proponent of giving you the tools to help you to become a stronger you. You deserve somewhere that you can share what is on your mind without fear of being judged negatively. You deserve a better life and a healthier you. You are worth every minute of it, so if you are willing, I would love to have the opportunity to take you on this new journey.

Liz Calabrese

(she/her)

Liz Calabrese, LPCC - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

$175/session
LPCC
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have been in the field since 2016. I have a passion for helping people release stress and trauma being stored in the body. I enjoy working with couples and individuals from a trauma and dissociation-informed lens. I integrate evidence-based practices, including somatic work, EMDR, and Ego State Therapy. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I also have experience integrating faith in sessions for those who are interested.

Ada Karlstrand

(she/her)

Ada Karlstrand, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$150/session
LMFT
4 years of experience
Virtual
Welcome! Taking the step to seek therapy is a courageous move, and it’s a powerful indicator that you’re ready to embrace positive change. This journey can feel daunting, but it’s a testament to your openness and commitment to creating a life filled with hope, fulfillment, and new possibilities. I specialize in supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, food-related issues, and trauma. I also offer guidance to stressed parents of children with special needs. My approach is centered around two main goals: first, helping you achieve regulation in your body and nervous system, and second, fostering a compassionate understanding of your mind’s patterns to guide it towards healthier choices. Because mental health is deeply personal, I tailor my approach to what best suits your needs. We might use a top-down approach, focusing on thoughts, beliefs, and values, or a bottom-up approach that listens to your body's sensations and messages. Often, a combination of both methods works best. I draw from a range of techniques, including Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and various somatic interventions. Together, we’ll explore which methods resonate most with you and create a path forward that aligns with your unique journey.

Sam Moglen

Sam Moglen, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$170/session
LMFT
8 years of experience
Virtual
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. My approach is warm and down-to-earth, and use perspectives and tools from many styles of therapy such as EMDR, somatic, and Brainspotting so that I can tailor a unique approach together with you. I strive to be clear, honest, and genuine to learn about your reality in a manner that feels comfortable for you.

Hope Ledding

(she/her)

Hope Ledding, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$175/session
LMFT
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California, providing individual therapy to adults of all ages facing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, cultural and identity issues, and life transitions. I especially love working with young adults and folks who may be new to therapy. Some of my areas of interest include adult parent-child relationships, relational trauma, loneliness, spirituality, career development, identity development, friendship, dating, and relationship satisfaction. I welcome and affirm clients from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities, religions, and nationalities. Practicing cultural sensitivity and humility, and working through an anti-racist and social justice lens are cornerstones of my work. I’ve been in practice for 6 years, earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, and my Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley. I love working with young adults in particular and have focused on this population for the past 4 years, working in the university and community college settings, serving primarily first-generation college students. I am passionate about and experienced in serving people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, especially Latinx, AAPI, Black/African-American, and multi-ethnic individuals.

Nia Ridgle

(she/her)

Nia Ridgle, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Ideal clients for my Couples Counseling practice are couples seeking improved communication, conflict resolution, and a deeper emotional connection. With 10 years of experience, my approach combines proven and innovative techniques, including eco-wellness. If you're open to transformative guidance that blends traditional therapy with modern strategies, you're an ideal fit for my services.

Edna Salcido

(she/her)

Edna Salcido, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$250/session
LCSW
13 years of experience
Virtual
Hola, welcome to my profile! My name is Edna Salcido and I am a bilingual (Spanish and English) Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. I obtained my bachelor's degree from CSU Monterey Bay and my master's degree from USC. Through my years in practice, I have provided a safe space for healing as I support moving through anxiety, depression, grief, processing trauma, boundary setting and many diverse life challenges. I have experience working out in the field providing mental health services in homes and schools as well as experience in a medical setting as a lifespan therapist.

Lisa Salopek

(she/her)

Lisa Salopek, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$110/session
LCSW
35 years of experience
Virtual
With over 30 years of clinical training, education, and experience, combined with more than 55 years of navigating the wonders and challenges of life, my purpose is to empower individuals by honoring their strengths, embracing their hardships, and guiding them toward discovering the beauty and power within themselves. I am deeply committed to assisting individuals in manifesting their desired self-image within their families, friendships, and communities. Drawing upon my extensive background, I offer a unique blend of expertise and compassionate support to help individuals cultivate their full potential. In my practice, I have found humor to be an invaluable tool for navigating life's challenges, both for myself and the individuals I work with. I firmly believe in the transformative power of laughter, as it brings a sense of lightness, offers new perspectives, and fosters camaraderie. Laughter has the remarkable ability to facilitate healing and personal development. With an energetic mindset, spirit, and body, I aim to embody resilience and positivity, and I am committed to utilizing these qualities to support you in cultivating the same in your own life.

Yang Jiang

(she/her)

Yang Jiang, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$150/session
LMFT
10 years of experience
Virtual
**ACCEPTING ADULTS (18+) ONLY** Hi, I'm Yang. And I'm here to help you heal from self-abandonment and emotional dysregulation. Self-abandonment occurs when we struggle to stand up for our needs and live by our authentic values; often, we don't even know what they are. Those who struggle with self-abandonment don't feel like they know who they really are, and what they want, and often feel directionless and ungrounded. We feel small, afraid, anxious, aggressive and dependent on others. Emotional dysregulation occurs when we don't understand our emotions and how to manage them. They control us, instead of the other way around. We behave in ways we wish we didn't, and we build up shame around those behaviors as if they are who we are. We cannot separate our emotions from who we are. These issues often lie at the heart of different mental health struggles, such as depression, anxiety, as well as many relationship challenges. The good news is that resolving these, therefore, can potentially lead to ripple effects of change in your life.

Kylie Kellas

(she/her)

Kylie Kellas, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
$200/session
LMFT
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm Kylie and I have been a therapist for 8 years, and am EMDR Certified. I support people who experience anxiety, symptoms from trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues. I have a two step approach. First I teach people how to regulate themselves in-the-moment. That way they can get back to emotional safety when things are not feeling right. Then I help people find ways to stop what is bothering them before it even starts. That can look like setting a routine that helps reduce anxiety, processing past trauma, surrounding yourself with people that make you feel great, or figuring out what gives your life meaning and helping you do that.

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Frequently asked questions

Why filter by California rather than a city like LA?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across California from San Francisco to San Diego! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in California.

Will my therapist take insurance?

When booking you’ll be asked to verify with your Member ID. However, if you don’t have any of the insurances available you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.
Polyvagal Therapy Therapists