Santa Cruz, CA Local Support & Community Resources

Marlon Guarino is a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist (MA, LMFT, CCHT) dedicated to guiding individuals, couples, and families through their challenges. His expertise lies in helping those who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, trauma and PTSD, and relationship issues. Marlon believes that within each person resides an empowered and creative self waiting to be expressed. Through his holistic approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR, he provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for clients to reconnect with their authentic selves and manifest their life's purpose. With multilingual capabilities and a rich multicultural background from travels around the globe, Marlon is particularly sensitive to diverse needs, making his therapeutic approach culturally sensitive and tailored to each individual. His passion is evident as he utilizes a variety of modalities, including Trauma-Focused and Emotionally Focused therapy, to support clients on their journey toward healing and fulfillment. Marlon is eager to work alongside those seeking deeper understanding and lasting change, facilitating a holistic process that embraces the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of life. Discover the path to a more authentic, fulfilling life guided by Marlon's expertise and heartfelt commitment.

Lena Axelsson is a compassionate marriage and family therapist dedicated to supporting individuals through trauma and significant life stressors. With a deep passion for facilitating healing, she expertly guides her clients—ranging from children to adults and families—towards cultivating healthy self-perceptions and enriching their relationships. Through her work, Lena empowers individuals to experience a sense of peace, completeness, wholeness, and safety in their lives. She recognizes that therapy must be personalized, employing an array of modalities including Relational Gestalt Therapy, Gestalt Play Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and NARM somatic approaches aimed at trauma recovery. Lena holds a Doctor in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Ryokan College in Los Angeles, along with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Stockholm, Sweden. Additionally, she possesses a graduate certificate in Gestalt Psychotherapy from the University of Derby in the U.K., enriching her professional skill set and enhancing the therapeutic journey for her clients.

Erik Barnes is a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist with a Master’s degree from John F. Kennedy University, where he graduated in 2007. With extensive experience working with children aged 6 to 10, teenagers, adults, and elders over 65, Erik has dedicated his career to helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges. He specializes in addressing key issues such as addiction, anxiety, and depression through a diverse range of therapeutic modalities, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Internal Family Systems, and Expressive Arts Therapy. Erik employs a humanistic and family systems approach, tailoring his services to suit couples, individuals, and families alike. His commitment to fostering well-being and personal growth shines through in each session, making him a trusted ally for those seeking support and understanding within their journeys.