Book 50+ of the best UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare therapists in California

I am a client-centered professional with 15 years of experience providing broad mental health services to diverse populations of children, adolescents, adults, and families. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified art therapist with specialization in utilizing multiple evidence-based modalities to address substance abuse, dual diagnoses, depression, anxiety, trauma, and domestic violence.

Change is stressful and adolescence is a period of enormous change - especially so these days with the pandemic, social media, gender politics, and looming concerns about the future. Many, many teens today feel overwhelmed by pressure. Struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, relationship problems, drugs, alcohol and academic problems is common. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that by 2021 49.5% of adolescents in the U.S. had a mental disorder, with females, LGBTQIA, and multiracial individuals at the highest risk. If you are a teen or the parent of a teen in pain and looking for a way forward, I can help. I began work as a counseling psychotherapist in 1994. Since then I've helped many adolescents, adults, couples, and parents ease their suffering and overcome problems such as these. My effectiveness as a helper comes from 1) listening carefully to understand your concerns and experience 2) non-judgementally accepting you as you are 3) knowing that you are the expert on you and planning treatment collaboratively with you to achieve your goals. 4) Providing the tools of skills training and coaching to empower you to heal and thrive For me, it's all about knowing that my clients don't need to be fixed. They need to be understood, accepted, provided with effective tools for solving their problems and trusted to overcome their difficulties in a way that works for them so they can feel better, function better and begin living life as they choose to. My approach is straightforward and built on compassion and evidence-based techniques.

Thank you for stopping by my page! What you will experience as my client will always be based upon the following: professionalism, care, and experience. I consider effective mental health treatment to be a life-changing experience and it is my goal as your therapist to support you 100% in reaching your goals. My philosophy is this: "I'll always help if you'll always try." I have worked with a wide variety of people, and find that almost all of us can connect as fellow humans. I am currently licensed in North Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and California, and make my home in beautiful Southern Oregon. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE A FULL-TIME PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF GROW AND IF YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT CHOICE IS MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY OR 2-3 DAYS AWAY, I WILL LIKELY HAVE TO MOVE IT OUT SEVERAL DAYS. IF YOUR NEED IS MORE EMERGENT, THEN PLEASE ACCESS CARE LOCALLY OR YOU MAY FIND ANOTHER THERAPIST ON GROW THERAPY THAT IS AVAILABLE SOONER. I TRY TO BALANCE HELPING AS MANY AS I CAN WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE CARE. THANK YOU, SAM

I am not here to fix you because you are not broken. I am not here to judge you because you are free to be whoever you want to be. I am here to help you reach your goals and find a trajectory to true happiness. Your journey to wellness begins when you recognize the role you play in your own life. You are powerful, capable, and worthy of the joy you seek. I am here to walk this path with you. I have extensive experience treating clients with Relationship Distress, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Codependency, Bipolar Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder. I am a certified specialist in the areas of anxiety and addiction.

Hello, I am licensed in California, Illinois, and Missouri with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping teens, adults, couples, families, veterans, and military personnel with stress and anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of shame, blame, or judgment. You are encouraged to take the first step to seek a more fulfilling and happier life, it takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Professional experience and additional areas of focus: Adoption and Foster Care, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Men's Issues, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Post-traumatic Stress, Self-Harm, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Young Adult Issues Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

I am a Christian Clinical, Forensic and Sports Neuropsychologist. Like many folks who get into the mental health field, I had certain mental health challenges. My family of origin was burdened with addiction and mental health. I currently have 38 years of sobriety and am intimately familiar with 12 Step, Christ-centered and Mindfulness aspects of recovery. I specialize in the treatment of Trauma and Addiction with family systems and attachment orientation. As a trained child psychologist I also place particular emphasis on developmental aspects of trauma. As a former Navy psychologist with many years working with veterans and first responders, I am very familiar with those cultures. I played college soccer, run 20 marathons, taught scuba as well as being an award winning underwater photographer and competed at the CrossFit World Games for 3 years. I am married, have a son (retired Navy) and a daughter in heaven.

Hi i am Aimee a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in the San Diego area. I enjoy working with 16 and up and specialize in LGBTQ+, prenatal and postpartum, women’s issues and grief issues. I like to help see pregnant and new mom’s achieving the most out this time and find ways to feel less anxiety and depressed and more fulfilled. For people in the LGBTQ+ community i have specialized in gender health issues since 2014 and have always been an ally. During Covid I decided to increase my skill and knowledge with assisting people moving through grief and took a few seminars focusing on grief work with David Kessler.

I believe in honoring each individual as the expert of their own life, meeting them without judgment or preconceptions. Counseling, for me, is not about labeling problems but about discovering solutions and effective coping strategies. I work with individuals of all ages, including children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families, who are facing a wide range of challenges, with a particular passion for geriatric mental health. Embarking on therapy is a courageous and potentially life-changing decision, and I am dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. I am deeply committed to helping others realize their full potential. My areas of expertise include providing support for grief, depression, life stressors, divorce, blended families, and individuals and families involved with state agencies.

Hello, I'm a licensed professional therapist practicing in California since 2003. I have such respect and admiration for my clients because seeking therapy is very courageous. My goal for your therapy journey is to develop a relationship where you can feel trust so that you can become your authentic self. My therapeutic style is very eclectic and versatile. I want to provide a warm environment for you to feel better and grow. I specialize in treating you as a person and starting in a place where you are comfortable while adjusting to your needs as we move forward. I have expertise in treating depression/anxiety disorders, grief/loss, infertility, trauma, and relationship conflicts.

My objective is to help people gain insight and live more peaceful lives and I believe all people have strength and resilience within them and I will work to assist you in finding yours. I have a Master's degree in Counseling from California State University Los Angeles, specializing in school-based family counseling and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I work with individuals and couples to function better within the complex systems of family and society. I have experience working as a psychiatric social worker with a diverse spectrum of people struggling with issues ranging from acute psychotic episodes to addiction, depression, and anxiety. I am trained in EMDR and working towards certification.

Hey you, I'm Angie, a sex and relationship therapist uniquely suited to support your journey to pleasure and healing. (NOTE: I'm currently not doing COUPLES therapy through Grow, so I would encourage you to find another provider if you're seeking couples work.) Have you struggled to find a therapist who you can be completely transparent with in regards to your sexuality or gender? Have you hidden your identities, desires, and challenges, for fear of judgment, shame or rejection? Sexuality is a challenging topic, one that most therapists don't receive much training around. As a result, even therapists can be afraid to broach sensitive topics, which makes it even harder for you when your mental health, relationship challenges, and overall well-being is so interrelated to your sexual health. Instead of shying away, my work centers your sexual self as a primary domain of care. First, we build trust. And when you're ready, we explore every aspect that may be impacting your life. This can include healing sexual trauma or harm, exploring early childhood development and shame, permission giving to talk about different identities, expressions and desires, and creating pathways to your fullest most expansive pleasure and connection. Topics I'm passionate about include closing the orgasm gap, healing sexual trauma, queer love and sex and healing the harm from homophobia, gender expansive exploration, non-monogamy and open relating, kink/ BDSM/ fetish exploration, the needs of sex workers (whorephobia and stigma) and those who've experienced trafficking, and finding pleasure after experiencing a religious/ cult repression. I identify/ am a member of many of these communities, which provides lived experience to balance clinical expertise as well. We work together to create a safe container for your diverse and erotic self, learning how to integrate those selves into your relationships and your life. Pleasure is key to mental health and well-being.

Hello, I am Kathleen. Do you feel overwhelmed, burnt out or pulled in a million different directions? Are you struggling with your relationships, work or health? Is it difficult for you to find time for yourself, let alone, be kind to yourself? Do you feel "stuck" and unable to move forward? Many of us are experiencing loneliness, depression, anxiety and social isolation, so it is important to make caring for yourself a priority. Therapy can help you feel more connected, balanced and peaceful. Together, we can help identify what is not working and regain a sense of balance. We'll use a holistic approach, addressing the needs of your body, mind and spirit. We will develop a "toolbox" of coping skills and create new insights and awarenesses to help you become a happier and healthier version of yourself. Seeking therapy can feel threatening but it's one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and by doing so also give to others. In our sessions, I will meet you with kindness, compassion, humor and evidence-based modalities, so you can overcome obstacles and habits that may be holding you back. My goal as your therapist is to provide a safe, supportive and empathic environment in which to work through current issues, conflicting relationships and/or past pain. I look forward to meeting you and working together.

Migdalia Villafane or “Dalia” as she prefers to be called believes that the therapeutic relationship is to assist individuals through therapy, changing the individuals’ lives for the better. Because this relationship is so essential, she believes it is important that she provides a safe, open and non-judgmental atmosphere where an individual can feel at ease. She knows that no single approach is the right one for every individual, so, she utilizes a range of therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused, Family Systems, as well as mindfulness training. Her educational background includes an MSW from the University of Southern California and she is licensed in the state of California as an LCSW.

My name is Dr. Alexander Ochoa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in San Francisco, CA. I provide individual therapy for teens, young adults, and adults. I focus on sports mental health, athletes struggling with fears of re-injury, effective communication, identity loss, anxiety, depression, substance use, life transitions, parenting, and conflict resolution

Dr. Trenye Black is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC-QS) in Florida, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S) in Virginia. She earned a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 2014 and her PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Teaching from Walden University in 2021. She is here to help support you through adversity, trauma, parenting struggles, relationships, struggles with deployment and reintegration. Her goal is to connect with you on your journey as you live a more purposeful life.

Hello! Hola! My name is Alejandrina (Aly). I ‘am the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. Connecting with my culture, roots and ancestral practices has been a core part of my development as a psychotherapist. It is important for me to create a space where people feel like they belong but most importantly that they know their story matters. I want my clients to believe they can find their own healing within themselves.

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.

Hi! I am a psychologist licensed in Texas and California. I have worked in the mental health field in various capacities for the past 20 years. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Law and Society and Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Howard University in Washington, DC. I have worked as a psychologist with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Administration and various local and federal law enforcement agencies. I currently own and operate Healthy Families Counseling Center, PLLC, a private psychology practice dedicated to assisting individuals, couples and families heal from trauma, relationship distress and other concerns affecting daily life.

Hello, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I use the techniques I have learned and developed as a therapist and life experiences to create a compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental environment for clients. I work in depth with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have worked as a Program Director of a Residential Treatment Center treating adult women and men with eating disorders, chemical dependency, and mental health. I also have additional experience working with eating disorders at the partial and outpatient level of care treating adult and adolescent men and women. I am passionate about working with clients who struggle with eating disorders and chemical dependency. In addition, I have experience working with women, men, and adolescents with eating disorders, chemical dependency, trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. I have experience working with women and children coming out of shelters affected by intimate partner violence, teens dealing with depression and gender identity issues, and families struggling with past trauma.

As a licensed clinical social worker with seven years of dedicated experience in the field, I bring a wealth of expertise to my practice. Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of serving a diverse spectrum of clients, spanning from school-aged youth to individuals in elder care settings. My therapeutic approach is characterized by a delicate balance of directness and empathy, fostering a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth. I am deeply committed to empowering my clients on their journey towards healing and self-discovery. To this end, I place great emphasis on equipping individuals with practical resources and tools that extend beyond our sessions. By providing tailored strategies that can be implemented between appointments and long after therapy goals have been achieved, I aim to facilitate sustained progress and well-being. Thank you for considering me as a partner in your journey towards personal growth and fulfillment.

Hi. My name is Dana. I have been a Social Worker for over 20 years and have been working under my Clinical license for the last 11 years. I attended Kent State University where I completed my BA in Psychology and then attended California State University, Long Beach where I completed my Masters in Social Work. Making the decision to find a therapist is the hardest step to take. It takes courage to make yourself a priority and to acknowledge that you need help. Now that you've come this far, allow me to help you navigate whatever is getting in your way of living your best life.

Hello! I am a License Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Master of Social Work from California State University Long Beach. I received my BA in Psychology degree from California Stated University Fullerton. I have been practicing mental health counseling for 17 years. I help adolescents, adults and older adults struggling with careers, stress and burnout, traumatic life events, experiencing depression and anxiety to be able to function as normal as they can be.

Hello, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Masters from the California State University Sacramento and have been practicing for 3 years. I help adults and young adults struggling with mental health and addiction disorders to become the best versions of themselves. I have been employed in mental health inpatient and outpatient agencies and addiction program with effective results.

Hello! My name is Andrea and I would love the pleasure of helping you in your journey of healing. I hope to help you live more fully in the present by facing what is going on in life, externally and internally. I hope to be a person you can trust in helping you navigate different areas of life. I love that this work is so meaningful because I believe life is a gift that shouldn't have constant pain and sorrow. Rather, it is healthy to experience the hills and valleys of life, growing in every step of the way. My heart goes out to those who are struggling to live life well, to enjoy and to thrive.

Welcome! I'm Connie Stringfellow I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I have been a bachelor-level social worker since 2006; a master-level social worker since 2016; and a licensed therapist since 2020. My experience ranged from assisting children and families during my time working for Government entities to assisting families of all ages from the hospital to hospice service. With such vast experience, I believe I am qualified to assist you grow and heal.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I received my Masters from the University of Phoenix and have been practicing for 4 years. My experience is in helping children, teens and adults navigate and understand their feelings and emotions to lead to a happier fulfilled life. In addition, I approach therapy from a trauma informed lens working to help clients increase happiness, confidence, and overall self esteem.

I graduated in 2015 from San Jose State University with a Master's in Social Work, and have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, small clinics, schools, and providing peer support for people experiencing infertility and parents of donor conceived children through the non-profits Resolve and Donor Conceived Community. I opened my private practice in 2024 and provide telehealth in California through Grow Therapy.

I’ve been voted one of the best Social Workers in California and have a success rate that remains everlasting. My success comes from radical self awareness and acceptance, as well as, an overall commitment to the ethics of Mental Health. I do a lot of Somatic Mental Health work and focus a great deal on breath and brain/body connection.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist based in California. I received my Masters from the University of Pheonix. At the moment, I help adults, adolescences, and children struggling with suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and low self-worth find themselves. I have been using a person-centered approach for the past 9 years working with individuals and families struggling with and managing severe to acute mental illness.

My name is Ashley and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I graduated with my Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2021 but have been working in the field as a Clinical Therapist since 2020. I have worked with various populations including Individuals, Children & Adolescents, Couples and Families. I help clients by coming from a non judgmental, supportive and empathetic, and relatable down to earth approach. I like to meet my clients where they are at and allow them to help me guide them by providing a space they feel comfortable to open up and be themselves in.

Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Northern California. I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Southern Oregon University and received my Masters in Counseling Psychology from National University and have been practicing for 5 years. I work with a variety of clients helping them process through life challenges while helping them gain strength and confidence in themselves.

My hope is to create a supportive space for my clients to heal and grow. As a South Asian American with extensive experience in providing therapy to a diverse client population, I aim to foster an environment where you can explore both your strengths and challenges. My ultimate objective is to empower you to navigate life's stress and complexities, facilitating lasting positive changes.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California and Licensed for telehealth in Florida with five years of experience. I received my master's from Simmons College in Boston. I am here to help you work through your current life challenges with the goal of helping you to be the version of yourself that you can have peace of mind with. I have experience with a variety of populations, backgrounds and needs. I do not believe that people are cookie cutter, instead I feel that I must tailor my therapeutic approach to best suit each client. I am also a great match for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community as I am a CODA who is fluent in ASL as a second language.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I spent 5 years working in community mental health agencies with clients that had severe mental health diagnoses such as: Major depression, addiction, bipolar I & II, schizoaffective disorder as well as psychotic disorders. I provided case management, individual therapy and ran the following groups: LGBTQ+, Substance Abuse and CBT Skills. I have experience with adolescents, adults and elders.

Saha Jamshed is a licensed social worker in the state of California. She is actively engaged in various settings in support of the most vulnerable within our community. Her therapeutic style is strength-based and incorporates a variety of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches help with the development of perspective and coping skills, which in turn enhance quality of life. Saha is most passionate about addressing the multi-generational cycle of violence with an emphasis on promoting healthy relationships. Saha has her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies from UC Davis, and holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. CERTIFICATIONS (or in progress): Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Domestic Violence Advocate Positive Discipline

My name is Monica, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #146445. I believe that each person has their own unique journey and I believe that it is important to use an individualized approach to help clients. I work to develop positive relationships with my clients with a foundation of both trust and honesty. I have worked with individuals, families, and children. Some of the most common challenges I have helped clients address are stress, depression, anxiety, anger management, family conflict, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and addiction. I have worked with a variety of populations including children, teens, and adults. I have a Bachelor in Psychology from Columbia College. In 2014, I graduated from Alaska Pacific University with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in a variety of settings including Residential, Substance Abuse, Community Care with children and families in Foster Care/Probation and Private Practice. I am also a STOP Certified Group Facilitator for Batterers Intervention Program with Probation.

Hi! I'm Evan and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I believe that life is all about perspective, and I'll help you catch your negative and defeating thoughts in order to change them for good, building optimism and courage for the future. My therapeutic approach is rooted in solution-focused therapy and positive psychology, utilizing a strengths-based focus to help you navigate life's challenges and turn them into successes.

Hello! Hola! My name is Melissa Fuentes and I am a bicultural and bilingual (English/ Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Southern California (San Diego). I received my Masters from California State University San Marcos in 2018. I am here to assist you through your daily stressors, grief, depression, and/or anxiety. My clinical expertise is focused on depression, life stressors, grief, loss, and trauma. I make an effort to provide a safe environment for my patient to help them feel empowered and be able to share their experiences and challenges. Together, we can identify unhealthy thought patterns that will assist in developing better coping mechanisms to be able to foster a healing environment where growth is promoted. I commend you for taking the initial step toward your healing journey and look forward to working with you.

Hi, I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I help individuals to navigate the complexities of modern life, balancing responsibilities at work and home. I work with youth and adults, facing challenges related to intimacy, communication, or personal fulfillment. My ideal client can also be a parent, juggling the demands of raising children while maintaining their own well-being. Together we can explore a deeper understanding of self and emotions, desires to develop healthier coping mechanisms, build resilience, and enhance your self-esteem.

Hi! My name is Esther and I am a LCSW in the state of California. I graduated with my MSW at California State University of Monterey Bay. I have been practicing therapy for 10 plus years. I specialize in trauma informed care and those with a severe mental illness. I support individuals find grace for themselves and harmony in their life by addressing burn out, confidence issues, anxiety, depression and other life factors.

Hello – I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of California. This is a second career that I started after receiving my Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. I have been practicing for over 7-years with community based mental health services including County agencies. As a client centered therapist, I utilize a strengths-based, transparent approach to coming alongside others in their individual life journey. I have enjoyed working in the mental health field for almost 9 years using evidence-based practices and collaborating with other professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists. I have a strong network of fellow therapists and like them, I focus on the positive to assist individuals and families achieve their goals.

Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina. I am licensed in both NC and California. I received my Masters from the University of Southern California and have been practicing for 7 years and have 15 years experience in the mental health field. I help children, adolescents, young adults, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, self-esteem challenges, and simply the ups and downs of life.

Hello and warm welcome to you! I'm Leila and I believe that people are naturally resilient with the right support. My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the belief that the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is at the heart of the healing process. This is why I work from a Humanistic framework, which is based in the belief that providing unconditional positive regard and empathy to clients cultivates a truly safe environment for them to look deeply within themselves and rediscover their potential and self-empowerment. I also believe that humor is vital to the human experience, and always welcome and encourage this within my sessions. I provide trauma-informed therapy with a focus in childhood attachment wounds, using a compassionate, client-centered approach; specializing in EMDR, chronic depression, anxiety, life-changes, stress, self-esteem issues, and inner-child/shadow work; utilizing somatic and eclectic methods. My clients walk away from therapy with me feeling a transformed sense of inner peace and self-worth, a regaining of control over their lives and decisions, and the empowerment to awaken their full potential. I strongly believe in making therapy as enjoyable as possible, and hold true to the statement of "come as you are." I have a laid-back, down-to-earth style and want my clients to feel seen, valued, and appreciated for sharing their journey with me.

Hello and a warm welcome to you, I'm Karre, she/her. *Appointment openings are in EST. *Please reach out to me directly to schedule if you are a current or previous client and don't see a time open. I have more than 20 years of experience helping facilitate positive change with a diverse clientele. Through my massage therapy practice, I discovered the healing that is possible for both myself and my clients. Inspired by the many years of personal narratives, shared with me during bodywork sessions, I continued my journey into mental health. Healing of the whole person, mind-body-spirit, is central to my clinical practice. Within a safe and welcoming space, we explore your experiences, self-talk, physical wellness, inspiration, values, goals, and balance. I love my work, helping you to discover, recover, and embrace your inner strengths, moving towards fulfillment and joy is a privilege. I am always eager to learn and train, finding different ways of approaching my work to provide optimum care. Those closest to me know me as an ardent mom, wife, and nana, a traveler, and an arts-inspired social equality-loving creator.

Hello, I am an experienced clinical trauma professional who engages in a holistic mind, body, and spirit approach in my work with racially, economically, sexually, and culturally diverse persons. As a licensed clinical social worker, clinical trauma professional, and mental health integrative medicine professional, I focus on the clients as people, not as conditions or as diagnoses. In working with chronically and complexly traumatized individuals, couples, and families I recognize and interact with clients affirming that they are deserving of empathy, respect, and dignity. To this end, the treatment methods I use are tailored and combined to meet the needs of each specific individual, couple, and family I work with. I counsel clients who are struggling with traumatic stress disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, problem behaviors, and addictive behaviors. The healing journey intentionally addresses the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Evidenced-based traditional, holistic, and expressively creative client-centered therapeutic processes and interventions are used to help clients overcome limiting, self-defeating thoughts & feelings about self-worth, relationships, and patterns of choices that lead to dysfunctional behaviors. Clients learn to manage the underlying issues that interfere with family, social, vocational, or educational functioning.

Hello, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I work in private practice. This is my dream career and I believe that being allowed into someone's private thoughts and the workings of their life is a sacred place. I am convinced that this is your journey and as such you make the decisions and have autonomy. I am here to offer objectivity and possibly options. No judgment here.

If you feel distant from your usual self, or out of place in your day to day encounters, therapy with me can be a safe reintroduction to yourself. I will be an ally, a guide and sometimes a mirror. I have up close and personal experience with recovery from addiction, broken families and broken hearts. I became a therapist after many years of being a first responder. What I learned is that when people feel heard they respond because they feel safe. Being a therapist is helping with a different type of wound, but people know when some one truly cares how they are feeling. Trauma is not only physical, our emotional trauma must be processed in order for us to grow.

Hola! Mi nombre es Rita Diaz y obtuve mi maestria en la universidad de La Verne. Estoy licensiada en consejeria clinico profesional. Hago mi mejor esfuerzo para ayudar a mi clientes comprender sus propios comportamientos y como sus experiencias de vida los a afectado. Hi! My name is Rita Diaz and I obtained my master's degree at the University of La Verne. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I do my best to assist my clients understand their behaviors and how their life has affected them.

Areas of Expertise: PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosomatic Disorders, Addiction, Relational Issues, Stress Management, Family Issues, Couple's Issues, Personal Growth, East/West Psychotherapy, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. 7 years ago I created Psychosomatic Psychotherapy, a novel and highly effective treatment that integrates mind, body and emotion. This method targets blocked emotion and inflammation. Most Western therapies are essentially mind-oriented, but we are so much more than our thoughts. My approach includes elements of Emotion Focused Therapy, Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy and Zen Buddhism. Psychosomatic Psychotherapy treats all mental health conditions, many chronic medical conditions and is quickly effective at helping people and their problems. We begin by telling our story. We go at a slower pace than usual and we pay special attention to the emotionally important parts of the story, e.g., talking to our mother, worrying about work, conflict in a relationship, etc. Here we pause and direct our attention to our abdomen and ask, “How do/did I feel about this or that or him or her?” Then we wait. We don’t rush to answer the question with our heads, we wait for an answer to slowly arise from our bodies. We are bypassing our intellectual defenses and asking our bodies what’s really going on. When discover our feelings we express them in a full-throated and wholehearted way! Then we just feel (not analyze!) that feeling in our bodies until the feeling dissolves or almost completely dissolves, usually within a few minutes. Last, we scan our bodies for any lingering areas of tightness or tension in places like the stomach, chest, throat, head, jaw, neck, or face. When we discover where we’re holding stress and somaticized emotions, we feel these areas until the tension/tightness/emotion dissolves, usually within a few minutes. Developing a greater capacity to feel also provides critical and deeper insight into our issues. The overall goal is to unblock emotions and reduce dangerous inflammation by metabolizing and processing emotions and somatic constrictions in the body. Along the way, we are also challenging old, disempowering stories and replacing them with more accurate, empowering narratives. When treatment integrates the cognitive, emotional, and somatic dimensions of our conditions, mental and physical symptoms are significantly reduced.

Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. I have been practicing for almost eight years. I support my clients dealing with a variety of issues, such as Anxiety and Self-Esteem. I have enjoyed watching my clients grow and transform their lives. My clients report becoming more productive, having less stress, and an improved sense of well-being.