Find a Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA

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.

Lisa Blevins, PhD, CHT, is a compassionate psychologist with a deep commitment to helping adults and elders navigate the complexities of life. She believes that therapy is a vital space where individuals can prioritize their well-being, explore alternative approaches, and take bold steps to address unhelpful patterns. Lisa's philosophy centers around establishing trust and fostering a caring relationship, allowing clients to embark on a transformative journey towards creating the life they desire. With a specialty in supporting those who strive to live their best lives but encounter obstacles, she cultivates a comfortable environment essential for identifying challenges and discovering new pathways to success. Authenticity, acceptance, and trust form the foundation of her partnerships with clients, providing the support and guidance needed to elevate their quality of life. This holistic approach encompasses various therapy types including Compassion Focused Therapy, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual she works with.

Janet Borello Wellersdick is a dedicated marriage and family therapist with a master's degree and LMFT credentials, committed to supporting children, families, and individuals. She specializes in pediatric mental health services, addressing relationship stress, trauma, parenting challenges, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Utilizing a variety of methods including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, art activities, and mindfulness techniques, Janet empowers her clients to manage life's stressors effectively. She believes that recognizing personal strengths is essential, as these strengths serve as vital tools for achieving balance in life. By fostering this sense of balance, individuals are less likely to experience overwhelming challenges. Janet provides a compassionate ear for those who need the space to explore their feelings while working towards finding their own path to equilibrium. Her therapeutic approach is flexible—offering sessions in her office as well as in-home visits when appropriate—ensuring that each client's needs are met. With a strong commitment to advocacy, Janet supports her clients and their families at every step of their journey.

Norman Brown, MA, understands that the challenges of life have never been greater, and he is committed to improving relationships among individuals, couples, and our planet. With a focus on men who may experience frustration in both their work and intimate relationships, he recognizes that the personal skills needed for professional success often differ from those required for emotional intimacy. For women, he acknowledges that coping with anxiety or depression while striving for successful friendships can be complex, particularly when it comes to finding meaningful partnerships. Norman believes that the path forward lies in enhancing emotional skills and fostering love for oneself, others, and the environment. With over 50 years of experience in counseling and teaching, alongside his textbook on relationships, he brings a deep passion for his work and the people he serves. His approach emphasizes intelligent emotional growth for men and women, specializing in couple counseling and providing insights through Jungian dreamwork that connects the conscious and unconscious mind. By guiding individuals and couples through relationship training, he aims to foster emotional skills crucial for navigating the challenges of work, friendship, and intimacy. Explore the possibility of working together with Norman to build a brighter future.

Pearl Chaiyarat is a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist (MA, LMFT) who believes that true healing occurs through the integration of mind, body, and spirit. With a holistic background, her therapeutic approach emphasizes this integration, allowing clients to explore and express their authentic selves, needs, and desires. Pearl utilizes an array of therapeutic modalities tailored to meet individual needs, including Expressive Arts, Body-Oriented Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Mindfulness-Based approaches. She is well-equipped to support teens and adults facing challenges such as depression, trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. Additionally, Pearl is trained in Brief Therapy methods, making her a versatile choice for those seeking focused support on specific issues or preferring smaller, manageable sessions.

Harper Cheaney, a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist with a wealth of experience, is committed to creating a safe, open, and judgment-free environment for her clients. She believes that individuals, irrespective of age, are the experts of their own experiences, holding within them the answers they seek. Harper collaborates with clients to uncover their unique truths, equipping them with valuable tools to enrich their daily lives. With a foundation in Object-Relations and an attachment-based approach, she understands the profound impact that relationships have on emotional health and how these connections influence self-perception. Over the past 12 years, she has worked extensively with children and youth in schools and community organizations, while also providing therapeutic support to adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Harper is particularly attuned to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, offering specialized guidance to children, teens, and adults navigating their identities and experiences.

Chris Lesperance is a compassionate marriage and family therapist who recognizes that each individual carries a unique story shaped by their experiences, goals, challenges, personality, values, belief systems, and cultural influences. He understands that the stresses of modern life—along with the burdens of loss, abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, or mental illness—can lead to overwhelming challenges. Chris thrives in the collaborative process of working with his clients, honoring and respecting them as whole persons. Together, they explore life experiences, identify challenges and goals, and formulate strategies for growth, while also creating a nurturing space for healing. His practice incorporates a depth approach within various therapeutic modalities, including trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral therapy, attachment theory, family systems theories, mindfulness, somatic (body awareness) psychotherapy, eco-psychology, and compassionate communication. Grounded in the tradition of Depth Psychotherapy, Chris considers the psyche or soul of his clients as he guides them through their therapeutic journey.

Yvonne Vermillion is a highly skilled Marriage & Family Therapist with credentials including LMFT, MA, and PsyD. Graduating from California Coast University in 2005, she possesses extensive experience working with a diverse range of clients, including children aged 6 to 10, teens, adults, and elders over 65. Yvonne specializes in addressing critical issues such as substance use and employs innovative methods like Play Therapy, EMDR, and sand tray therapy to create a supportive environment for healing and growth. Her eclectic approach integrates elements of Family Systems, Psychoanalytic, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allowing her to tailor her techniques to meet the unique needs of individuals and families alike. Yvonne is dedicated to fostering resilience and promoting well-being across all ages, ensuring that her clients feel heard and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

Dima Dashevsky, a compassionate and dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), understands that beginning therapy or returning after a break can invoke feelings of intimidation. With a strong belief that lasting change and healing occur when individuals are fully seen and welcomed, Dima offers a safe and healing space for clients to cultivate love and compassion for themselves. Passionate about gender-affirmative therapy, Dima specializes in supporting medical and social transitioning for the LGBTQQIA2S+ community, including youth, and addresses issues relating to cross-cultural couples, non-monogamous relationships, and major life transitions. Additionally, Dima provides valuable support in areas such as conscious parenting, spiritual growth, and navigating spiritual crises. With a commitment to exploring conversations around privilege, systemic oppression, and personal experiences, Dima is dedicated to individual and global healing, working towards collective liberation through therapeutic dialogue.

Tim Desmond is a celebrated Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), best-selling author, and Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Antioch University. With extensive training under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Desmond specializes in assisting individuals, couples, and families seeking profound transformation in their lives, particularly those grappling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and relationship issues. His therapeutic approaches, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Self-Compassion, offer clear and accessible guidance, allowing clients to navigate the complexities of emotional suffering. Desmond is also an accomplished author, with works such as 'Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy' (2015) and 'How to Stay Human in a F-cked Up World' (2019), further evidencing his commitment to enhancing the well-being of others. His insights and teachings resonate deeply with anyone ready to break free from feeling stuck and embrace meaningful change.

Meet Deanne Edwards, a dedicated marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with a rich history in the helping profession since 1994. Deanne strives to create an inviting and safe space for individuals to share their stories, pain, strengths, and hearts. With a commitment to guiding her clients through transformative experiences, she understands that seeking help requires immense courage. Deanne is devoted to supporting individuals during difficult times, empowering them to discover their inner strength and healing. Her passion lies in trauma recovery, and she has honed her skills to assist survivors in finding balance among the mind, body, and spirit. No matter the reason that brings someone to her space, Deanne ensures every person feels safe, supported, and encouraged on their journey to emotional wellbeing.