Therapists in California

Hi, I’m Ashley, a holistic therapist who takes an integrative and compassionate approach to mental health and healing. I draw from evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help shift unhelpful thought patterns, Solution-Focused Therapy to build on your strengths, and Compassion-Focused Therapy to foster self-kindness and reduce inner criticism. I also incorporate culturally sensitive and mind-body approaches, recognizing the deep connection between your thoughts, emotions, body, and environment. As a holistic therapist, I see you as a whole person—not just a diagnosis—and together we’ll create a safe, respectful space to support healing, growth, and balance in all areas of your life.

Hello, my name is Jessica, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish, which allows me to support clients in the language they feel most comfortable expressing themselves in. I provide a warm, compassionate, and client-centered approach to therapy. I specialize in supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional struggles. I believe that healing is a collaborative process, and I strive to create a safe and supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered. When requested, I welcome the integration of faith into treatment. As a Christian therapist, I am honored to include biblical principles and spiritual support for clients who desire to include their faith as part of the healing journey. I believe that combining psychological tools with spiritual insight can lead to deep, lasting transformation.

My background includes training in somatic therapy, spiritual emergence, buddhist psychology, expressive arts, sandtray, rosen method bodywork, aikido, person centered and transpersonal therapy and diverse trainings in psychological methods for personal growth and healing. My approach is holistic and includes exploring mind, body and spirit connections. I have worked as a school counselor, a military family life consultant, in clinics and in private practice. Currently I work with individuals in private practice.

My goal in my counseling is to help my clients live deeply fulfilling lives. I help clients increase their psychological flexibility through various tools and approaches including evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to change their thought patterns. I use experiential approaches including Hypnotherapy to work with subconscious minds and remove blocks that are deep in their psyche. I also provide mindfulness training, which is one of the key techniques for the clients to be more present and accepting in their lives, rather than react reflexively. Each individual's struggles are complex and tied to many factors including their social environment, their physical health, the phases of their lives, skills they already possess, etc. In other words, change can happen in a variety of ways and that's what counseling can help with, pointing out the direction and even the next steps that can help the client to get to their goals and intentions. I work with clients experiencing sleep disorders, chronic pain, anxiety, mood issues, ADHD, career counseling, and those who simply need a tune-up.

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.

Namaste, my name is Ashwini Gupta and I am Therapist/Intuitive Life Coach specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Vedanta and Mindfulness-based practices. With 20 plus of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges, I am passionate about empowering my clients to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives truly being in touch with the essence of soul identity. Using ACT as my primary therapeutic approach, I create a warm and non-judgmental space where we can work together to address difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. ACT combines mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change strategies to guide clients towards psychological flexibility, allowing them to better handle distress and align their actions with their deeply-held values. What is ACT? At its core, ACT is a behavioral therapy: it’s about taking action. But it’s not about just any old action. First, it’s about values-guided action. There’s a big existential component to this model: **What do you want to stand for in life? **What really matters, deep in your heart? **What is the legacy do you want to create for yourself? ACT gets you in touch with what matters in the big picture: your heart’s deepest desires for who you want to be and what you want to do during your brief time on this planet. You then use these core values to guide, motivate, and inspire behavioral change. What is Vedanta? Vedanta is one of the world's oldest philosophies which affirms the oneness of existence and the divinity of the soul. A close look at the word "Vedanta" is revealing: It is the combination of 2 words: "Veda" which means 'knowledge' and "anta" which means 'the goal of'. In this context, knowledge refers to understanding one's own divine nature- meaning and purpose in life.

Do you often feel overwhelmed or struggle with relationship issues? Life presents us all with mental, emotional, and psychological challenges at times. I can help you explore difficult situations in your relationships and find ways to overcome your current struggles. Since 2002, I have been supporting men and women who are tired of constantly trying to please others. I help individuals move from feeling stuck to achieving clarity in various aspects of their lives.

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! 🌱😊

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.

Hi there, my name’s Ephraim Tokar. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years of experience. My specialties consist of relationships, men’s issues, career counseling, and psychosomatic illnesses. I received my Bachelors degree in Child Psychology, working initially with the adolescent population before transitioning over to adults. I then received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Whether it's individuals or couples, 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 meeting with you soon!

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.

As an ABOLITIONIST, I believe in *literally* abolishing police, prisons, & all other forms of state violence. I am happy to discuss in-depth but for now, know that I am most heavily oriented in the work of folx like Project Nia; Interrupting Criminalization; Equitable Care Certification, and Survived & Punished. Of course, I am still deepening my learning and praxis, as one ought. As a RESOURCE MAVEN, I facilitate linkages to information & resources to support people’s wellbeing. Meaning I actually make the calls with you, etc., if wanted/needed. This type of support is a major source of joy for me & something that I’m happy to help with! I’m a FACILITATOR of JOY because, as a Queer, Disabled, Neurodivergent, fat, Gender Nonconforming Black person, I place special emphasis on helping marginalized folx find and (re)create joy in a world that denies us joy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my focus is on understanding the environmental and contextual factors at play in your life. I come to therapy with a trauma-informed/healing-centered perspective and work collaboratively with you on determining what kinds of interventions are best suited for your needs. My approach is laid back and can be viewed as “coachy,” meaning I ask questions and provide feedback to help you figure out solutions that will work for your life. I also encourage you to bring your creative and spiritual practices to therapy, so if you want to include art, tarot, crystals, ancestor reverence, etc., we can do that!

I believe that healing happens when we embrace our most authentic selves. My practice is built on a holistic, down-to-earth approach—one that honors the mind-body connection, values lived experience, and meets you exactly where you are. With a background in behavioral science and therapy, I specialize in supporting parents and caregivers of children with complex diagnoses, families navigating behavioral challenges, and adults seeking deep, sustainable change. Whether you're a parent feeling overwhelmed, an individual exploring alternative lifestyles, or someone ready to break old patterns, I offer a judgment-free space to realign with your truth. Together, we’ll blend evidence-based strategies with intuitive, heart-centered care—because transformation isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about rediscovering who you were always meant to be. Let's get you back to you.

In my role as a mindfulness-based therapist, I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment that is nurturing and non-judgmental, allowing clients to delve into their inner workings with a sense of compassion and empathy. I emphasize the importance of being fully present in the current moment and embracing a mindset of acceptance without criticism in my therapeutic approach. Furthermore, I prioritize guiding clients toward cultivating a deep sense of self-compassion and understanding, recognizing these as fundamental elements for personal advancement and emotional reconciliation. By integrating mindfulness techniques and meditation practices, I actively assist clients in developing an enhanced self-awareness and fostering a compassionate outlook on their experiences.