David Ruso, a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist with credentials of MA, LMFT, believes that entering into the right therapeutic relationship is the essential first step toward healing and change. He works collaboratively with clients to explore the origins of their struggles at a pace that is safe and comfortable. As individuals delve into their mental and emotional material, they often find themselves experiencing greater freedom and enjoyment in their relationships, work, and family life. With extensive experience providing psychotherapy for adults, young adults, and the elderly, David specializes in treating a wide range of issues, including Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma, particularly complex trauma. He offers tailored treatments addressing intimate and romantic relationship concerns. Those seeking to explore their potential therapeutic fit with David Ruso will find him enthusiastic about guiding them on their journey. He values the opportunity to connect and support individuals in achieving personal growth and well-being.

Meredith Berger, a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), recognizes that many struggle with self-awareness and the complexities of achieving their desires. She understands that her clients often battle feelings of anxiety, confusion, and discontent, despite their commitment to personal growth. Meredith aims to guide individuals on their journey to self-discovery, helping them identify and overcome deep-seated blockages that hinder their progress. She focuses on enhancing clients’ relationships with themselves and others, emphasizing the development of healthier boundaries. By helping them navigate self-doubt and shame, she facilitates the discovery of their authentic selves, allowing them to thrive. With a modern, relational style, Meredith brings her authentic self and sense of humor into every session. Her practice is inclusive, welcoming individuals from all walks of life, regardless of race, orientation, gender identity, body type, culture, religion, or ability. Together with her clients, she works to build a stronger sense of security and self-trust, empowering them to actualize their goals in meaningful ways.

Lorraine Cahn is a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist with a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years in supporting children, teens, adults, and families. Graduating from Sonoma State University in 1986, she specializes in a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and Somatic therapy, as well as healing approaches for Trauma and PTSD. Lorraine’s practice focuses on helping her clients set and meet their individual goals, meeting each person where they are and guiding them toward their desired outcomes. Known for her direct yet gentle approach, she is passionate about fostering a compassionate environment for personal growth.

Melissa Fritchle, a dedicated marriage and family therapist (MA, LMFT), embodies the theme of empowerment throughout her therapy practice. She holds a strong belief in the inherent abilities of individuals to transform their lives, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or culture. By fostering an environment that encourages clients to explore their responses, perceptions, definitions, beliefs, and presentations to others, Melissa helps individuals tap into their spiritual, emotional, and relational authority. As a sex-positive therapist with substantial experience addressing trauma and body image issues, she provides a supportive space for both individuals and couples. Her offerings include private couples intensives in the Santa Cruz area, tailor-made retreat experiences aimed at enhancing relational dynamics. Melissa's holistic approach integrates various therapeutic modalities, making her a compassionate ally in the journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Juno Groves, a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, understands that individuals often grapple with inner conflicts that hinder them from achieving their desired lives. Clients may find themselves overreacting to everyday situations or struggling to move beyond their past experiences. Juno provides a supportive atmosphere where personal reflections can lead to transformative growth. Challenges are viewed as opportunities, with misunderstood aspects of oneself becoming pathways to deeper wisdom. In this nurturing environment, clients can confront the areas of their lives they have been reluctant to face, promoting emotional empowerment and healing. Juno specializes in therapy for children, families, and couples, focusing on how attachment issues influence relationships and enhancing communication skills. With a wealth of experience ranging from intensive cases at County Mental Health to using EMDR for performance enhancement with successful professionals, Juno is equipped to address a wide array of issues, including trauma, PTSD, divorce, and more. Additionally, Juno offers unique walking sessions for those who prefer an outdoor therapeutic experience.

Holly Heath, a skilled Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), believes that a fundamental sense of wellbeing is our natural state. However, she recognizes that fear of the future can also be part of our experience. The balance between these two emotions depends on which aspects of the mind and nervous system take charge. By utilizing this understanding, Holly helps her clients improve their relationships and embrace a more optimistic outlook on life. Specializing in trauma, she has been fortunate to receive training from prominent experts in therapeutic interventions. Through techniques like somatic therapies and Internal Family Systems (IFS), she gently guides individuals in releasing patterns of stuckness, allowing them to tap into their inherent vitality. Her practice primarily focuses on adult individuals, particularly those who are eager to learn and grow. Holly fosters a collaborative environment where clients can achieve their goals with curiosity, open hearts, and humor. In these challenging times, she strives to enhance each person's ability to cope and find joy in everyday life.

Debra Houston, a dedicated marriage and family therapist (LMFT), understands that life can be perplexing and mysterious, often presenting challenges and unexpected turns that push our coping abilities to the limit. In this fast-paced world, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. However, Debra believes that life holds immense potential for contentment and deep connections. By acknowledging and exploring what weighs on us, individuals are empowered to expand their self-awareness and cultivate a circle of compassion, both for themselves and for others. This journey can unlock innate strength and resilience, guiding clients toward choices that align with the life they wish to create. Debra aims to ignite this potential in her clients, providing a safe and compassionate space for exploration. Her therapeutic approach may integrate methods such as mindfulness, Chi Gong, expressive arts, Soul Collage, stress reduction, and sandplay to help clients tap into their inner wisdom. In addition to offering therapy for teens and adults, she also provides play therapy for children of all ages. Through art, sandplay, puppetry, literature, and movement, children can express and navigate the complex issues impacting their lives.

Mark Kalemos, LCSW, understands that people seek therapy for a multitude of reasons. Life can present numerous challenges that demand our attention for change, self-examination, and deeper understanding. Distress, discomfort, and a general lack of life satisfaction often signal this call for transformation. His practice exemplifies a holistic, client-centered, problem-solving approach, adept at identifying and effectively managing current life challenges while facilitating the healing of old wounds. Mark offers skillful and compassionate support for individuals and couples striving to achieve well-being and life satisfaction. With a wide-ranging generalist practice that includes family dynamics, workplace challenges, and academic adjustment issues, he possesses specialized training and decades of experience in substance abuse, addictions, grief, loss, trauma, and life-stage adjustments. His unique approach includes conducting home and hospital-based family interventions. Mark’s professional journey is interwoven with a heartfelt compassion for the human condition, fostered by his personal history of recovery from addiction and the invaluable support he has received throughout. His ultimate aspiration is for all his actions to alleviate suffering and facilitate healing.

Alexandra Kennedy is a compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist with an MA and the LMFT credential, dedicated to supporting adults and elders navigating the complexities of life. With extensive expertise in handling issues such as grief, trauma, and PTSD, she provides a safe and understanding environment for individuals, couples, and families. Alexandra utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including somatic therapy, transpersonal methods, trauma-focused strategies, and EMDR, ensuring a tailored experience for every client. Her emphasis on humanistic and psychodynamic therapy models aligns with her commitment to holistic healing, making her a valuable partner in life transitions and personal growth.

Jessica Lillian Zovar, a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist with an MA, honors the opportunity to work with individuals spanning from preteens to adults, including families. She creates a welcoming space where clients can explore their inner worlds, fostering an environment where all aspects of the self are brought to light, leading to new perspectives. With over 10 years of experience, Jessica is known for her warm and accepting demeanor, validating each client's unique inner landscape. Her work involves helping clients navigate healing journeys, develop their 'inner compass,' and master coping strategies. With teens, Jessica connects to their need for belonging and encourages healthy risk-taking. She also collaborates closely with parents, providing valuable insights and practical strategies to mitigate challenges and conflicts. Throughout her career, Jessica has been committed to serving a diverse clientele, including survivors of trauma and abuse, families dealing with conflict, and individuals facing anxiety, depression, and substance abuse issues.

Aimee Pomerleau, MA, LMFT, is a dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in supporting adults and elders over 65 in navigating anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and various relationship issues. At her practice, Aimee utilizes a holistic approach, integrating both relational and somatic modalities to foster a unified experience of mind and body. Her therapeutic style is characterized by her personable, responsive, and playful presence, creating a safe environment for clients to explore their emotions and relationships. Aimee encourages authentic expression and awareness, helping individuals learn to set boundaries and deepen their capacity for giving and receiving love. With a Masters in Somatic Psychology and specialized training in Hakomi, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), and a background in dance, yoga, and massage, Aimee brings a rich tapestry of skills to her practice. As Clinical Director at the Santa Cruz Neurofeedback Center, she offers a diverse range of therapy types including Expressive Arts, Trauma Focused approaches, and Compassion Focused techniques, among others. Aimee is committed to embracing all forms of diversity and provides counseling for individuals and couples facing challenges such as grief, chronic health conditions, sexuality, personal growth, ADHD, and life transitions.

Shannon Seeley, LCSW, is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate feelings of disconnection in their relationships. With over 20 years of experience in family and child therapy, Shannon specializes in addressing adult concerns such as relationship issues, parenting challenges, and the complexities of divorce. Her therapeutic approach encompasses a blend of techniques, including attachment-based therapy, EMDR, and solution-focused methods. She creates a safe space for clients to take a much-needed pause from their stresses, allowing them to explore their inner worlds and strengthen their connections with loved ones. Shannon's professional journey has encompassed work in schools, child welfare, and family court, equipping her with valuable insights into the issues her clients face. A major focus of her practice is family mediation, where she acts as a neutral third party to facilitate collaborative solutions for parenting plans, ultimately aiming to save families time and money while protecting children's best interests. Through her strengths-based perspective and brief therapy approach, Shannon empowers her clients to identify their needs and make meaningful changes in their lives.

Aaron Williams is a dedicated clinical social worker and therapist, specializing in working with children and teens aged 2 to 18. He addresses challenges such as defiance, trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, attachment issues, child abuse, grief and loss, and life adjustments. Known for his warm and inviting approach, Aaron provides highly effective, research-based counseling that equips children and families with practical strategies to meet their goals and enhance their lives. His therapeutic modalities include Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Triple P Parenting, Play Therapy, and Therapeutic Art Activities. As a parent himself, he empathizes with the worries and frustrations associated with parenting, encouraging parental participation to foster better long-term outcomes. Aaron ensures that families receive thorough explanations and education regarding the effectiveness of the strategies and activities he offers, grounding his practice in understanding and collaboration.