Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Brea, CA

After graduating from New York University with a BFA in drama, I moved to Los Angeles and taught drama and English literature at an L.A. public high school for nearly 20 years. My experience working with teenagers and their families taught me that, all too often, kids' barriers to learning are not academic in nature, but rather emotional challenges stemming from adversity and trauma. I became more and more interested in learning how to help teenagers and adults alike navigate these obstacles and come out stronger in the long run. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders (including OCD), PTSD and Complex-PTSD, and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

I work with adolescents and adults and offer individual, couples, and family therapy. I help individuals identify their goals and make the changes necessary to help them lead more productive and fulfilling lives. I am directive, and I provide a warm, caring and non-judgmental environment to explore the issues and life-events with which you may be struggling.

Many of the struggles that bring us to therapy—anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, self-doubt, or feeling stuck—have deeper roots than we realize. Sometimes these patterns develop through painful experiences, major life transitions, or family systems that taught us to prioritize others, question ourselves, or adapt in ways that no longer serve us. Therapy offers the opportunity to understand these patterns and create lasting change.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the spouse of a retired Army Veteran, I've spent much of my adult life living in different parts of the country and world, continually building community and connection wherever life led. Those experiences deepened my understanding of resilience, belonging, and the many ways people adapt through change, loss, and transition. I bring that perspective into my work, creating a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where individuals, couples, and families feel genuinely seen and understood.

Together, we'll work to understand the deeper patterns shaping your life, strengthen your relationships, and help you move toward a more authentic, fulfilling way of living.

Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.

Shana Bujake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She specializes in working with individuals who are recovering from narcissistic abuse, navigating life transitions, or struggling with relationship challenges and self-worth.

With a strong background in trauma-informed care, she provides a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, gain clarity, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Her work is deeply rooted in helping clients build resilience and create meaningful change in their lives.

Hello and welcome!

As a licensed clinical social worker, I truly believe that mental health is the foundation for growth and healing. It takes courage and strength to take that first step and I want to celebrate you for making it!

I mainly work with adults in individual therapy, drawing from various modalities tailored to each person's unique needs and issues. I'm also certified in EMDR, which can be really helpful for processing difficult experiences.

My expertise is in child and adolescent anxiety reduction, OCD, autism and ADHD. My goal is to provide education to kids and their parents about anxiety and related and co-occurring conditions. I also frequently treat phobias, separation anxiety, emotion regulation issues, school refusal, learning disabilities, trauma, giftedness and 2e.

I am also experienced in helping adults and children navigate issues related to divorce including coparenting, custody planning, divorce navigation from considering separation (discernment) through divorce mediation/proceedings to post judgment. I also have expertise in helping adults navigate post separation abuse, domestic violence and coercive control.

The focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. I achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan. I help individuals focus on the Solution.