Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Covina, CA

I'm a therapist offering in-person sessions in the Thousand Oaks area of Southern California, and telehealth to folks throughout California. I decided to become a therapist after many years of working in corporate America, and I have a Master's in Clinical Psychology and LMFT license.

Sometimes a thoughtful conversation with the right person can make all the difference. As an experienced therapist, husband, and father, I bring both professional training and real-life wisdom to help people navigate life’s challenges. Over many years of both life and clinical work, I’ve had the privilege of helping people move through difficult seasons, gain clarity, and reconnect with their strengths. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’re returning after time away, it’s normal to feel uncertain. Our first conversation is simply a starting point. I often work with people facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, seeking clarity and a practical path forward. Together, we’ll slow things down, understand what’s happening, and identify steps that help move you forward. If you are going through a difficult season, you don't have to navigate it alone.

I believe the best work happens when you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself—no pressure, no judgment, and no need to have everything figured out before you start. We’ll work together to explore what’s bringing you in, what matters most to you, and what you’d like to change or better understand.

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Each person is different, so our work will be tailored to your needs, your goals, and your pace. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, going through a transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I’m here to help you move forward in a way that feels manageable and authentic.

What I Bring to Our Work

• A welcoming, nonjudgmental space
• Thoughtful listening and honest, compassionate feedback
• A balance of insight and practical tools you can use outside of sessions
• Support that’s personalized to you, not a preset formula

If you’re looking for someone who is easy to talk to, genuinely supportive, and invested in your growth, I’d be glad to work with you and see if we’re a good fit.

Book knowledge is helpful, but life experience is invaluable. I spent over 30 years in sales and management in the airline industry before becoming a therapist and this real-world experience helps me to better understand the challenges people face. Since embarking on my career as a therapist, I have completed over 12,000 therapy sessions, working with individuals and couples from various cultures and unique challenges. I have been blessed to be in an endeavor that I don't consider to be work.

Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.

I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.

I believe anyone can live a meaningful and fulfilling life and that we all can change and grow even in the most challenging times. For over twenty years, I have worked with Adults, Couples, Teens/Children, and families from a diverse population, helping clients change problematic behaviors and thinking patterns to achieve wellness and growth.

I’m Thomas Moore, LPCC, a licensed professional clinical counselor providing therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, identity development, and complex relational patterns. Many of the people I work with feel stuck in repeating cycles such as overthinking, people pleasing, emotional shutdown, intense reactions, or difficulty maintaining stable relationships even when they logically understand what they should do. My goal is to help you translate insight into real change.

My approach is structured and compassionate. I integrate evidence based methods including cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation training, interpersonal effectiveness skills, and trauma informed therapy. Sessions focus on understanding why your brain reacts the way it does and building practical tools you can actually use outside the therapy room. This is not only about talking through problems but learning how to respond differently when they show up in real life.

I work well with clients who want more than passive support and are ready to build skills, increase self awareness, and interrupt patterns that no longer serve them.

What clients should know before starting

Therapy with me is collaborative and active and you will learn strategies rather than only venting. We will work on understanding both the emotional and neurological side of your reactions. Sessions focus on present day functioning while also addressing past experiences that still affect you. I may gently challenge patterns when it supports growth while maintaining a supportive and respectful space. Progress often comes from small repeated changes rather than sudden breakthroughs.

If you are looking for therapy that combines validation with practical change, we will likely work well together.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Hi! I'm Saby Kirpal, a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner committed to comprehensive, compassionate mental health care across the lifespan. I earned my Master's degrees from Walden University and Chamberlain University, graduating with Presidential Honors from both programs, reflecting my dedication to clinical excellence and lifelong learning. My professional journey spans diverse healthcare settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential treatment facilities, and community health centers, providing a well-rounded, real-world perspective on mental health treatment and recovery.

I specialize in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and complex psychiatric conditions. I have extensive experience working with children as young as eight, adolescents, and adults across levels of care—from acute crisis stabilization to long-term outpatient medication management. My background includes serving as Associate Director of Nursing at Sierra Health and Wellness, providing clinical leadership across five facilities, and working with institutions such as UCSF Health and Stanford Health Care.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach, combining a strong nursing foundation with advanced psychiatric training. I recognize that mental health is deeply connected to physical health, family dynamics, culture, and life circumstances. I'm trilingual in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, with working knowledge of Spanish, allowing me to serve diverse communities. I believe in meeting individuals where they are and building a genuine therapeutic partnership where you feel heard, respected, and empowered on your path to wellness and recovery with personalized, evidence-based strategies, continuous guidance, and compassionate care that supports your wellbeing.

I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.

For the past year, I've worked with adults facing serious mental health challenges at one of Los Angeles's largest public health systems, and what I've learned is that lasting change comes from relationships built on trust. Now I'm bringing that experience into private practice, where I can focus on what matters most: your individual progress. I work with people navigating anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and I offer flexible evening and weekend availability via telehealth throughout California. As a PMHNP, I'm here to support your whole mental health journey.