Book a therapist or psychiatrist in La Palma, CA covered by Cigna

I provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care in a safe, judgment-free space.

Trauma can live quietly in the body—held in the breath, the muscles, and the nervous system. You may experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks; avoid people or places that feel unsafe; carry fear, guilt, or shame; or feel constantly on edge, tense, or hypervigilant. Your responses are protective patterns shaped by past experiences not signs of weakness.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the Coachella valley. Going into private practice was not an impulsive decision. It is something I have thought about carefully, and I am committed to making it work well for the people I work with. My background includes clinical work with adults and families

across a range of settings from psychiatric hospitals, to non profits and private practice. I am based in Palm Desert for in person sessions and serve clients throughout

California via telehealth.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, women navigating Postpartum and those facing life transitions. I also work with people dealing with chronic stress, relationship challenges, and the kind of emotional weight that builds up when life keeps asking more of you than you feel you have to give. I have a

particular connection to working with Latino and bicultural clients, single parents, and people who are navigating coparenting and the identity shifts that come with it. I also provide Immigration mental health evaluations for those seeking cancellation of removal, hardship waivers, U-Visas or VAWA evaluations to support their immigration case.

With more than 20 years of experience, I have helped adults, children, and families navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful change. I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work and believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I see therapy as a partnership, where you set the direction and I provide support, guidance, and encouragement along the way.

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to balance, mindfulness and joy. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations and addressing a wide range of mental health challenges. This journey has reinforced my belief that each person's path to well-being is unique and deserves a personalized approach.

Therapy for women in their 20s and 30s, experiencing • anxiety • work stress/burnout • body image/disordered eating.

Do you feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you? Maybe you’re a people pleaser who defaults into putting other people’s feelings and needs first. Or you’re experiencing burnout from trying to uphold perfectionist standards. Or you’re a high-achiever on the emotional rollercoaster of tying all your worth to your work. Or you want to stop stressing about what you eat and how much you weigh, but the idea of letting go of control is terrifying. I'd love to help!

My goal is to provide high quality client-centered care, utilizing a humanistic approach. I am focused on validating my client's life experiences and providing a safe and non-judgmental space to share. I also believe in holistic point of view and integrative care of body, mind, and spirit.

My clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and adults with many issues including: grief, work-related stress, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism).

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

There's a point where you've already tried to think your way through it. You've read things, talked to people, maybe even tried therapy before. And what you're carrying is still there, just underneath everything.

I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and the stretches where life stops making sense for a while. I also work with couples, specifically the moments where things break down and the longer work of finding your way back to each other. My background is unusual for a therapist: before this field I spent years as an English professor and academic dean, and I came into this work through music and filmmaking. That path still shapes how I practice. I especially enjoy working with artists, musicians, and anyone whose creative life and mental health are tangled up together.

I am dual board-certified as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner with a passion for functional medicine. I believe mental health is best addressed by looking at the whole person—mind, body, and soul. I’ve been working in healthcare for over 20 years. Through my experience in mental health, I have the privilege of working with adults aged 21–60. I support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, mood disorders, and eating disorders, offering a safe and respectful space for growth and healing.

Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I’m Robin Daughenbaugh, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of social work experience in both public and private sectors. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with adults from all walks of life, helping them navigate the challenges that life can bring.

I specialize in working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, stress, substance use, childhood trauma, homelessness, life transitions, and self-esteem issues. If you're facing challenges that feel difficult to manage on your own, I'm here to help you navigate them with support and care.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience working with anxiety, depression and complicated relationships among many other concerns. I tend to use a more logic-driven, analytical structured approach with my clients where together we try to understand and analyze patterns of behavior that are causing problems and getting in the way of their lives. As a result, neurodivergents and people who work in the hard sciences, technology fields, or are business executives tend to respond very positively to my style and approach. I also work with mood disorders, unconventional or complicated relationships, historical spiritual abuse and military veterans.

Specialty in AI and technology:

I also specialize in the psychology of AI, technology and how it affects society and relationships. For 7 months last year, I spent extensive time within AI-user online communities to learn about their firsthand experiences involving AI-related harm and parasocial relationships. I was featured in the 2026 title How to Talk to AI (And How Not To) by BBC journalist and author Jamie Bartlett, where I discussed parasocial relationships in AI use.

Hobbies:

I love the outdoors, backpacking and going on road trips with my dog. I teach outdoor skills in a wilderness class each winter. I also love California native plants and am a trained naturalist.