Therapists in California

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.

Here's a hard truth about mental health: Even with all the different approaches to psychotherapy out there, it rarely results in lasting positive change for those that seek it. Ouch. That's why I specialize in intensive short-term psychotherapy. It has been shown to help people find the roots of their emotional difficulties, and work through them in briefer time frames. Session-to-session, each appointment is structured to get the most out of it. Why wait years for greater peace of mind if you don't have to?

I am Dr. Paul Fernandez. I have been a licensed therapist and psychologist for more than 30+ years. I have spent my career concentrating on providing mental health services to the Latino/Hispanic community in Southern California, with a special emphasis in substance abuse, addiction recovery, anxiety/stress, depression, and anger management. I bring a unique, spiritual, Latino/Hispanic perspective to mental health counseling that focuses on the needs of our community. Soy el Dr. Pablo Fernández. He sido terapeuta y psicólogo autorizado durante más de 30 años. He pasado mi carrera concentrándome en brindar servicios de salud mental a la comunidad latina/hispana en el sur de California, con especial énfasis en abuso de sustancias, recuperación de adicciones, ansiedad/estrés, depresión y manejo de la ira. Aporto una perspectiva única, espiritual, latina/hispana al asesoramiento de salud mental que se centra en las necesidades de nuestra comunidad.

My role is to assist you in your path to change by improving your sense of self. This includes developing an awareness of your ideas, feelings, and actions, which serves as the foundation for forming new habits and encouraging healthy self-talk about change. The key to lasting change is building these practices into your routine. Practice them regularly, tweak them as you go, and gradually, they'll become second nature.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Masters from New York University and have been practicing for 13 years. I have also have 7 years of experience as a educator and supervisor for pre-licensed therapists. I love helping my supervisees and clients overcome their challenges, learn great lessons in the process, and achieve their highest potentials.

Hello, my name is Antolyn Rosales. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in the SF Bay Area in California. I received my Masters from the University of San Francisco. My specialty is providing psychoeducation and therapy to individuals and families to help manage difficult emotions and cope with stressors while fostering meaningful interactions. My therapy style is unique. I utilize principles and strategies from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Behavior Therapy to help make change. My role is to help one identify the source of the dysfunctional behavior patterns and offer guidance toward more functional behavior patterns and ultimately change.

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.

Hello! My name is Elaine and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe that therapy should feel like a conversation with a trusted friend—open, honest, and without pretense. With a straightforward approach and a genuine interest in understanding your unique story, I aim to create a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship challenges, or just feeling stuck, I'm here to help you navigate life's ups and downs with compassionate support. Let's work together to find the path that feels right for you. My specialties include: working with parents who have a child with special needs, LGBTQ+ issues, and grief. I know you are tired of not feeling like yourself. You deserve to start feeling good again.

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.

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! 🌱😊

https://sherryyamlcsw.com Hi, I am a trauma consultant who graduated from the University of Southern California, with years of culturally diverse EMDR therapy experience since 2011. My expertise is to tailor research-supported EMDR therapy with highly successful expat, AAPI professionals (e.g. Journalists, Actors, Scientists, Corporate Leaders, Producers, First Responders) who experience a Medical Related Trauma, Fear of Flying, Stage Fright, Phobia, Unprocessed Grief, car accidents, wild fires, War Trauma or Cultural Issues. I received my trauma training at the National Center for PTSD and the EMDR Trauma Recovery Humanitarian Assistance Program. In our society, we overlook the necessity of trauma work for our highly successful leaders. Many of my clients come to me are specifically looking for EMDR therapy to resolve barriers so they can be a better leader and find a better work-life balance. Others come to me for EMDR therapy after they tried talk therapy for years and didn’t see the progress they hope for.

I have been in the field for twenty five years and have learned to adjust to what the client is presenting in the session to achieve a sense of safety. I work with what the client is presenting and focus on how to guide the client to work through their presenting problem. I have had a history of working with a variety of clients and cultures. I started working in a therapeutic community with at risk adolescents. I later worked with court referred gang members. From there I worked with the homeless and the LGBTQ Community on addictions. I opened a private practice in a more suburban environment.

Hi there, I am Christine. I have been honored to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds struggling with challenging issues for many years. I base my understanding how people function and heal in human physiology and Christian practices. People experience adverse events differently, impacting them emotionally, physically, and spiritually. These experiences are often not understood verbally by the person, that is why it is important for me to help individuals understand the healing process. Change from a Christian perspective is very practical and personal, while taking into account what might remain unknown on the nonverbal level. In therapy, I utilize a Christian perspective, where the whole person, mind, body, soul, and spirit are valued and addressed according to a biblical interpretation. The mind, body, and spirit are all connected, and the spiritual component is essential to complete wholeness and restoration. I believe the Bible is the infallible and inspired word of God and is relevant to all areas of life. I believe it is vital to utilize evidence based therapeutic approaches while incorporating scripture as we take a closer look at all areas of your life. The integration of Christian teaching in therapy with individuals who desire this type of intervention helps them gain a sense of hope for life in Jesus Christ. In my therapeutic approach, I value the positive benefits of faith-based interventions enabling individuals to connect their mental health treatment with their faith creating a more holistic approach to treatment and personal growth. I am here to help; you do not have to figure this out alone.

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.

Hey there! I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist from California with 40 years of diving deep into the world of mental health, spiced up with a dash of international flair. My journey has taken me through a Psy.D. program to complete in Clinical Psychology, a master's in Counseling Psychology, and a bachelor's in Sociology. Living and working across the globe has fine-tuned my knack for connecting with people from all walks of life. I'm all about helping you find your ‘Zen’ again, mixing and matching the best bits from CBT and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to create a chill, judgment-free zone where we can work things out together.

My name is Judy Jordan and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with over 20 years years of professional experience in counseling with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I took an evening course in Psychology 5 when starting school, and by the end of it , I knew I wanted to become a therapist. I was drawn to understanding people on a deeper level and helping them through their struggles. With support from my dad, I left my job and went back to school starting from scratch. I loved every minute of learning and felt more certain with each class that I was on the right path. My dedication paid off...I earned straight A's and received the Academic Achievement Award in Psychology. More importantly I found a sense of purpose in supporting others on their mental health journeys.

My Name is Linda Arroyo, a Marriage and family therapist in California. I am glad you have decided to take the first step in reaching out for support. As a mental health therapist, I understand parenting and or life can get tough, and unexpected life events such as divorce, loss of a loved one, blended families, new environments, etc, can create anxiety, anger, fears, irritability, and depression.

My name is Shawna Reynolds, and I have been in the social work field for 20 years, and the clinical field for over 15 years now. I was drawn to social work to specifically to help provide a sense of safety, security and stability for youth and families. I bring that same sense of safety, security and stability to my Therapy Practice where using a variety of CBT and TFCBT different modalities I now help adult clients identify areas of self-improvement so that they can make positive behavioral changes in their lives to experience more positive pleasurable emotions such as excitement, happiness and a healthy self-concept.

Hi, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. I have worked with clients of all ages to address various mental health concerns, as well as substance use issues. I have worked on an inpatient unit, treatment center, school based and outpatient settings. I am passionate about providing that support and empowering you with tools and techniques to help you face those challenges.

Micah Gamez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of practice experience in a variety of settings which include: schools, in-patient and outpatient behavioral health services, crisis, substance abuse, medical social work, family services, community-based wrap around services and private practice. Micah is bilingual, bicultural, a mother and military veteran. Micah is culturally competent and utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities and in her approach to counseling others. While including a strengths-based, client-centered, and holistic approach. is my passion to serve you and your needs. At this time, I provide services only through virtual telehealth.

Hi, I’m Kendal McDowell and I have years of experience working with teens and older, with a primary focus on working with college students and college athletes. Having been a college athlete myself, I'm familiar with the joys and stressors of collegiate life. College can be an exciting and eye opening experience, but sometimes it can also open our eyes to some things within ourselves or those around us we may not have noticed before.