Therapists in Santa Monica, CA
Charles Scott Dewell
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Charles Dewell, M.A., LMFT I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adult individuals and couples, helping them navigate their relationship, career and personal issues. My mission is to provide a safe refuge where my clients feel understood and encouraged to persevere through the ebb and flow of life's challenges.
Charles Dewell, M.A., LMFT I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adult individuals and couples, helping them navigate their relationship, career and personal issues. My mission is to provide a safe refuge where my clients feel understood and encouraged to persevere through the ebb and flow of life's challenges.
Casey Jones
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405 (Online Only)
Welcome. If you’re here, likely something is going on in your life that you would like to change. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed, sad, anxious, tired, in pain, on edge, bingeing on a substance or the internet, or having sleep issues. Trouble communicating with loved ones? Disconnected rather than connected? Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but life just isn’t what it was, what you thought it would be, or what you would like. Anger, sadness, anxiety, disappointment, worry all play a part in everyone’s life, but sometimes it increases to the point where it’s just too much to bare alone.
Welcome. If you’re here, likely something is going on in your life that you would like to change. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed, sad, anxious, tired, in pain, on edge, bingeing on a substance or the internet, or having sleep issues. Trouble communicating with loved ones? Disconnected rather than connected? Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but life just isn’t what it was, what you thought it would be, or what you would like. Anger, sadness, anxiety, disappointment, worry all play a part in everyone’s life, but sometimes it increases to the point where it’s just too much to bare alone.
Dr. Lauren Ahlquist
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
My goal as your therapist is to help you discover a deep sense of who you are so that you feel empowered to make choices for your life in line with your values. Together, we will explore root causes of current problems and work to change old patterns that are keeping you stuck. Throughout our work, you will learn new skills, gain self-awareness, and develop the courage to move towards greater freedom and joy.
My goal as your therapist is to help you discover a deep sense of who you are so that you feel empowered to make choices for your life in line with your values. Together, we will explore root causes of current problems and work to change old patterns that are keeping you stuck. Throughout our work, you will learn new skills, gain self-awareness, and develop the courage to move towards greater freedom and joy.
Kadie Bogart
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Being a kid is today’s world can be tough and helping your little one navigate through the struggles and hardships as a parent, can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As a licensed professional therapist with over 10 years of private practice experience, I specialize in child and adolescent behaviors, parenting skills, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have a passion for helping children and parents realize their full potential by educating and working with them on issues that may be holding them back.
Being a kid is today’s world can be tough and helping your little one navigate through the struggles and hardships as a parent, can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As a licensed professional therapist with over 10 years of private practice experience, I specialize in child and adolescent behaviors, parenting skills, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have a passion for helping children and parents realize their full potential by educating and working with them on issues that may be holding them back.
Megan Cser Smith
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
I am committed to helping clients formulate and realize their goals for their lives and relationships based on the values that are important to them. Grounded in research and clinical experience, I view the therapeutic relationship as an active partnership through which I assist clients with better understanding themselves and the ways in which they relate to others and the world. From there, I work with clients to identify opportunities for change and to develop and implement new tools in line with their distinct objectives.
I am committed to helping clients formulate and realize their goals for their lives and relationships based on the values that are important to them. Grounded in research and clinical experience, I view the therapeutic relationship as an active partnership through which I assist clients with better understanding themselves and the ways in which they relate to others and the world. From there, I work with clients to identify opportunities for change and to develop and implement new tools in line with their distinct objectives.
Amy Goldman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Psychotherapist, private practice, adult, child and family psychotherapy, child custody mediation, co-parenting counseling, couples counseling, reunification counseling, stress reduction, and mindfulness meditation. Other areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and career counseling. I offer both in person and remote sessions.
Psychotherapist, private practice, adult, child and family psychotherapy, child custody mediation, co-parenting counseling, couples counseling, reunification counseling, stress reduction, and mindfulness meditation. Other areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and career counseling. I offer both in person and remote sessions.
Diana Beck
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Therapy is a platform to identify and nurture your strengths, explore emotionally charged topics, and discover potentials in order to create a strong, loving relationship with yourself. I am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and I work from an integrative framework, combining mindfulness, somatic interventions, and strengths based approaches.
Therapy is a platform to identify and nurture your strengths, explore emotionally charged topics, and discover potentials in order to create a strong, loving relationship with yourself. I am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and I work from an integrative framework, combining mindfulness, somatic interventions, and strengths based approaches.
Erica Sanborn
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Are you feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Are you dissatisfied with or disengaged from your life and relationships? Or do you just feel like something is getting in the way of living the life you really want? Therapy can help you understand why these difficulties arise and help you discover what you can do to cope with these challenges now. I use a collaborative relational approach to engage your curiosity about how early experiences, unconscious motivations, thoughts, or fears may contribute to your life today. Together, we will work to foster compassion for your struggles and motivation to create the life you desire.
Are you feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Are you dissatisfied with or disengaged from your life and relationships? Or do you just feel like something is getting in the way of living the life you really want? Therapy can help you understand why these difficulties arise and help you discover what you can do to cope with these challenges now. I use a collaborative relational approach to engage your curiosity about how early experiences, unconscious motivations, thoughts, or fears may contribute to your life today. Together, we will work to foster compassion for your struggles and motivation to create the life you desire.
Rebekka Helford
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Countless clients have expressed this frustration to me: “I know I do this, and I know why I do it. But that hasn’t stopped me from doing it! I’ve been in therapy for ages. What am I doing wrong?” If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Although developing insight into your challenges is a great first step toward healing, unfortunately, it cannot transform your life because of one hard fact: you cannot out-think your pain!
Countless clients have expressed this frustration to me: “I know I do this, and I know why I do it. But that hasn’t stopped me from doing it! I’ve been in therapy for ages. What am I doing wrong?” If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Although developing insight into your challenges is a great first step toward healing, unfortunately, it cannot transform your life because of one hard fact: you cannot out-think your pain!
Marco Paz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Everything is temporary: anxiety, heartbreak, loneliness, boredom, sadness, frustration, anger, emotions. Through the process of psychotherapy you will learn that your experiences, feelings, and behaviors can be understood instead of avoided or judged, allowing for the eventual acceptance of whatever may emerge. Together we will collaborate on building from your existing strengths to forge a clearer, manageable, productive, fuller and compassion-based life experience. By integrating various evidenced-based treatment protocols, I will help you understand the complex web of cause and effect, covering the past, present, and future.
Everything is temporary: anxiety, heartbreak, loneliness, boredom, sadness, frustration, anger, emotions. Through the process of psychotherapy you will learn that your experiences, feelings, and behaviors can be understood instead of avoided or judged, allowing for the eventual acceptance of whatever may emerge. Together we will collaborate on building from your existing strengths to forge a clearer, manageable, productive, fuller and compassion-based life experience. By integrating various evidenced-based treatment protocols, I will help you understand the complex web of cause and effect, covering the past, present, and future.
Natalie Feinblatt
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Survivor of trauma. Struggling with addiction. Creative. Do at least two of these three describe you? If you're struggling to get sober, you're fearful about the impact sobriety might have on your creativity (and life in general). If you're in early sobriety, you're trying to gain your footing in a new landscape. If you're a trauma survivor, you're confused as to why your insight & sensitivity aren't helping you get to that light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do if your pain is too great to manage on your own?
Survivor of trauma. Struggling with addiction. Creative. Do at least two of these three describe you? If you're struggling to get sober, you're fearful about the impact sobriety might have on your creativity (and life in general). If you're in early sobriety, you're trying to gain your footing in a new landscape. If you're a trauma survivor, you're confused as to why your insight & sensitivity aren't helping you get to that light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do if your pain is too great to manage on your own?
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Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT, CPC
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Laressa Desmond,PhD, LMFT, Nothing hurts like constantly stumbling over the same old communication problems with your partner, when all you really want to do is be close. It’s hard to concentrate or have a lightness to the day when relationship struggles drag you down. We fall in love with people who are different enough from us to create a spark. It’s that “completion feeling” of interest & fascination. We feel sad & confused when the spark burns instead of warming us. It’s a baffling betrayal to our emotional logic that we can deeply love someone that we frequently fight with & sometimes emotionally dread.
Laressa Desmond,PhD, LMFT, Nothing hurts like constantly stumbling over the same old communication problems with your partner, when all you really want to do is be close. It’s hard to concentrate or have a lightness to the day when relationship struggles drag you down. We fall in love with people who are different enough from us to create a spark. It’s that “completion feeling” of interest & fascination. We feel sad & confused when the spark burns instead of warming us. It’s a baffling betrayal to our emotional logic that we can deeply love someone that we frequently fight with & sometimes emotionally dread.
Stefani Reitter
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403 (Online Only)
I offer a soft place to land in what can be a confusing world. I'll invite you to slow down, tune in, and explore your quieter and wiser self. It is human to struggle because, let's face it--life is tough. Feeling overwhelmed, trapped, fearful, angry, and sad is par for the course and the result of living in a fast-paced, stressful environment. This reality coupled with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loss, trauma, and/or addiction can sap our resources. We can end up loosing sight of what is important to us and feel a dampening of our spirit.
I offer a soft place to land in what can be a confusing world. I'll invite you to slow down, tune in, and explore your quieter and wiser self. It is human to struggle because, let's face it--life is tough. Feeling overwhelmed, trapped, fearful, angry, and sad is par for the course and the result of living in a fast-paced, stressful environment. This reality coupled with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loss, trauma, and/or addiction can sap our resources. We can end up loosing sight of what is important to us and feel a dampening of our spirit.
Adrienne Salick
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403
I specialize in therapy with children, adolescents, parents, and families, dealing with life transitions and crises impacting social, emotional, academic, and interpersonal functioning. Goals may include working through a difficult transition, relieving specific troubling symptoms, building coping strategies to manage difficult feelings (anxiety, depression, frustration), improving communication, improving the quality of relationships, increasing social skills, reducing conflict, improving conflict resolution and problem solving skills, and gaining greater insight and awareness for personal growth.
I specialize in therapy with children, adolescents, parents, and families, dealing with life transitions and crises impacting social, emotional, academic, and interpersonal functioning. Goals may include working through a difficult transition, relieving specific troubling symptoms, building coping strategies to manage difficult feelings (anxiety, depression, frustration), improving communication, improving the quality of relationships, increasing social skills, reducing conflict, improving conflict resolution and problem solving skills, and gaining greater insight and awareness for personal growth.
Ann Epifanio
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405 (Online Only)
I believe everyone has inherent strengths and abilities — let me help you discover yours. In my work, I focus on helping patients achieve change, discover their inherent strengths and abilities, shift to a solution-focused mindset, and increase awareness of their thoughts/feelings/behaviors. If we're hitting roadblocks, we work on identifying those roadblocks and getting "unstuck" — together.
I believe everyone has inherent strengths and abilities — let me help you discover yours. In my work, I focus on helping patients achieve change, discover their inherent strengths and abilities, shift to a solution-focused mindset, and increase awareness of their thoughts/feelings/behaviors. If we're hitting roadblocks, we work on identifying those roadblocks and getting "unstuck" — together.
Debra Brunsten
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90402
I work with adult individuals, couples and families to help you cope with not only life's daily struggles, but also provide support for crisis, traumas, challenging life transitions and relationship issues. I combine narrative and somatic therapies, as well as EMDR (trauma work), to help you decrease anxiety and depression, manage stress, cope with challenges and enhance your creativity and productivity. My approach is very conversational, interactive and solution- based. In contrast to heavy analysis, I strive to uncover and cultivate my client's strengths, abilities and values to help them overcome their problems.
I work with adult individuals, couples and families to help you cope with not only life's daily struggles, but also provide support for crisis, traumas, challenging life transitions and relationship issues. I combine narrative and somatic therapies, as well as EMDR (trauma work), to help you decrease anxiety and depression, manage stress, cope with challenges and enhance your creativity and productivity. My approach is very conversational, interactive and solution- based. In contrast to heavy analysis, I strive to uncover and cultivate my client's strengths, abilities and values to help them overcome their problems.
Donald S Hiroto
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90402
I have been in clinical practice for over 35 years while also teaching and supervising future psychologists at UCLA. I believe that you deserve an experienced therapist with the knowledge and training to understand your problems and create a safe and trusting environment. Feeling understood with respect and dignity leads to a collaborative relationship in solving problems. My excellent experience and training in the most effective treatment approaches and ability to meet your unique needs helps empower you to make the personal changes in your relationships and emotional life that you want and deserve.
I have been in clinical practice for over 35 years while also teaching and supervising future psychologists at UCLA. I believe that you deserve an experienced therapist with the knowledge and training to understand your problems and create a safe and trusting environment. Feeling understood with respect and dignity leads to a collaborative relationship in solving problems. My excellent experience and training in the most effective treatment approaches and ability to meet your unique needs helps empower you to make the personal changes in your relationships and emotional life that you want and deserve.
Susan Pauline Landon
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403 (Online Only)
I have been a therapist working with children, adolescents, families, individuals and couples for over 30 years. My interest is that individuals feel seen, heard, and understood from their point of view and that they are able to do the same for another. I believe that if individuals, couples and families are able to provide this safe environment, awareness grows, and real change can happen. My speciality in the last 25 years has been working with gender non-conforming children, adolescents, and their families.
I have been a therapist working with children, adolescents, families, individuals and couples for over 30 years. My interest is that individuals feel seen, heard, and understood from their point of view and that they are able to do the same for another. I believe that if individuals, couples and families are able to provide this safe environment, awareness grows, and real change can happen. My speciality in the last 25 years has been working with gender non-conforming children, adolescents, and their families.
Matthew Stevenson
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405 (Online Only)
I’ve worked with adolescents, young adults, and adults from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and in a variety of settings. I see many people dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and I specialize in life transitions and adjustment, including experiences such as adjusting to a new job, beginning college, becoming a new parent or transitioning to more than one child in the family, and family structural changes like separation & divorce. I also specialize in both academic research and clinical work on the role of fathers in the family and issues that fathers face.
I’ve worked with adolescents, young adults, and adults from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and in a variety of settings. I see many people dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and I specialize in life transitions and adjustment, including experiences such as adjusting to a new job, beginning college, becoming a new parent or transitioning to more than one child in the family, and family structural changes like separation & divorce. I also specialize in both academic research and clinical work on the role of fathers in the family and issues that fathers face.
Yelena Kashtuyeva
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Yelena Kashtuyeva has extensive experience treating depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Her specialties include panic attacks, complex trauma, recurrent relapses, and eating disorders. Yelena integrates attachment-based approaches with other treatments and offers ways to take what's learned in therapy into one's life.
Yelena Kashtuyeva has extensive experience treating depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Her specialties include panic attacks, complex trauma, recurrent relapses, and eating disorders. Yelena integrates attachment-based approaches with other treatments and offers ways to take what's learned in therapy into one's life.
See more therapy options for Santa Monica
How does your Therapist compare?
Number of Therapists in Santa Monica, CA
1,000+
Average cost per session
$200
Therapists in Santa Monica, CA who prioritize treating:
94% | Anxiety |
89% | Depression |
85% | Relationship Issues |
76% | Self Esteem |
73% | Trauma and PTSD |
66% | Grief |
65% | Stress |
Average years in practice
12 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
58% | Aetna |
48% | Cigna and Evernorth |
42% | UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH |
How Therapists in Santa Monica, CA see their clients
66% | In Person and Online | |
34% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
79% | Female | |
20% | Male | |
1% | Non-Binary |
FAQs - About Therapy and Counseling
How can I find a therapist in Santa Monica?
Search for nearby therapists or counselors by inputting your city, town, or suburb; or zip code; or a provider’s name into the search bar. From there, you can filter providers by the issues they treat, cost, insurance, gender, and other factors to find providers who are well-suited to your needs. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or zip code into the search bar.
Learn more about how to find a therapist
Learn more about how to find a therapist
Is everyone in the Psychology Today Therapy Directory a licensed therapist?
The Psychology Today directory lists providers who offer legitimate mental health services to the public, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors.
Many have been licensed by the country or state where they practice; providers whose license or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Some clinicians or organizations provide services for which their state or country does not offer licenses, such as pastoral counseling. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.
Many have been licensed by the country or state where they practice; providers whose license or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Some clinicians or organizations provide services for which their state or country does not offer licenses, such as pastoral counseling. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.
What’s the difference between a psychologist, a therapist, and a counselor?
Therapists, psychologists, and counselors are all licensed mental health professionals. In the US, psychologists have earned a doctoral degree. The terms “therapist” and “counselor” are used somewhat interchangeably, but generally therapists offer longer-term, mental health care, while counselors offer shorter-term care that may focus on one domain, such as marriage, career, or academic challenges.
Clients should consider factors such as insurance coverage and their primary reason(s) for seeking therapy to determine the type of professional best suited to their needs. Someone struggling with mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety, for example, may wish to seek out a clinical psychologist or therapist, while someone navigating career obstacles or marital upheaval may benefit from seeing a counselor who can offer short-term, targeted support.
Clients should consider factors such as insurance coverage and their primary reason(s) for seeking therapy to determine the type of professional best suited to their needs. Someone struggling with mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety, for example, may wish to seek out a clinical psychologist or therapist, while someone navigating career obstacles or marital upheaval may benefit from seeing a counselor who can offer short-term, targeted support.
What type of therapy is right for me?
The type of therapy best suited to a particular individual depends on several factors, including their primary reason for seeking therapy, their preferred timeline (some therapy types last for a set number of sessions, while others are open-ended), and their personality and preferences—some may prefer a more structured approach. For many individuals, multiple types of therapy could provide a good fit.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy depends on a number of variables, including location and the therapist’s experience and training. On average, a therapy session in the United States could cost between $100 and $200 or more. If you have insurance, the expense of mental health care is typically lower, but it varies based on your insurance plan details and whether you choose an in-network or out-of-network mental healthcare provider.
What are more affordable or low cost therapy solutions?
Many therapists offer sliding scale payments, usually on a limited number of slots, which consists in an agreement between the therapist and a client to pay a reduced rate. Therapists who provide such arrangements often consider the client's income or ability to pay, but the extent of the discount is ultimately at the therapist's discretion. Furthermore, while group therapy may have different goals and benefits compared to individual therapy, it can be a more affordable solution to address certain types of issues.
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?
Many therapists charge the same amount for online therapy as they do for in-person therapy—though clients may still find this cost-effective if it cuts down on their transportation costs. Health insurance plans often offer equivalent coverage for online and in-person therapy; indeed, in many places, they are legally required to do so. Text-based or on-demand therapy apps may be cheaper than traditional one-on-one psychotherapy; however, the practice may be less effective and is not likely to be covered by insurance.
Is online therapy a good option?
Therapy conducted online can be just as effective as in-person therapy, as long as there is a strong alliance between the client and the therapist. To find a therapist who provides telehealth services to clients in your area, click “Online Therapy” on the directory homepage and search by your city or town or your zip code.
Are therapy sessions confidential?
Confidentiality is a crucial part of the therapeutic relationship. Therapists in the United States are bound by the regulations set out by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which aims to protect sensitive health information. With very few exceptions, a therapist will only discuss their client with others when the client has given their written permission. The instances in which a therapist would be required to disclose personal information are: if a client poses a danger to themselves or others, if the therapist suspects the abuse of a child or an elderly or otherwise dependent adult, or if they are legally forced to by court order. These exceptions to the confidentiality agreement are usually discussed with a client before their first session.