Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Laguna Beach, CA covered by Aetna

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or facing challenges that seem difficult to navigate alone?

I believe life is a continuous journey of growth, resilience, and learning. I specialize in helping individuals work through relationship challenges, parenting concerns, life transitions, grief, crisis, and interpersonal conflicts. Together, we'll explore the emotional, psychological, social, and personal factors influencing your wellbeing while building practical tools for meaningful change.

With more than 22 years serving Los Angeles and Riverside Counties in social services and mental health, along with over a decade in private practice as an LCSW, I bring extensive experience and a compassionate, solution-focused approach. My goal is to help you uncover the root causes of your struggles, build on your strengths, and create a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If you have tried therapy before without the results you hoped for, you may need a more targeted, effective approach. Over the past 15 years of my practice as a clinical psychologist, earning your trust and helping you establish a secure, empowering baseline for your care has been a profound privilege. As a former instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a provider at the UCLA Insomnia clinic, my goal is to provide more than just a space to talk—I offer the specialized, gold-standard steps necessary to create measurable, lasting change. At my practice, YCBT Services, I focus on working with adolescents, adults, and seniors who feel stuck despite their best efforts, specifically targeting generalized anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, panic disorders, and chronic insomnia. By addressing the underlying triggers that keep you on high alert, I am fiercely committed to helping you move beyond surface-level coping to reclaim your peace of mind.

I'm Saby Kirpal, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. I hold Master's degrees from Chamberlain University and Walden University, graduating with Presidential Honors, reflecting my commitment to clinical excellence. My diverse professional background spans inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics, giving me insight into mental health treatment at every level of care. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders across age groups. My experience includes working with children as young as eight through adults in crisis stabilization, residential treatment, and ongoing medication management.

What makes my practice unique is the integration of my nursing background with psychiatric expertise. I understand how physical health, medications, lifestyle factors, and mental health interconnect. Being trilingual in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, with conversational Spanish, allows me to serve diverse communities and appreciate how culture shapes mental health experiences.

I've worked from UCSF Health to community clinics, teaching me that excellent care isn't about the setting—it's about the relationship. Whether you're seeking help for the first time, between providers, or managing ongoing conditions, I'm here to partner with you. My approach centers on listening first, explaining clearly, and making decisions together. Mental health treatment should never feel like something done to you, but rather something we navigate together. I'm committed to creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and genuinely supported.

Welcome, bienvenidos, Hablo Español!

My name is Grecia Sanchez, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 5 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, families and survivors of domestic violence.

I offer therapy in both English and Spanish and have extensive experience working with the Hispanic/Latino community. I strive to provide culturally responsible care that honors each client's unique background, values, and life experiences. I have also had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

I believe healing happens when you feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment.

Hi, I’m May, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and I’m here to help you feel like yourself again. I work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. I provide medication management along with tools to support better mood, sleep, focus, and daily functioning. I take time to listen and understand your experience so we can create a plan that fits your needs. With a background in both mental health and special education, I bring patience, empathy, and a commitment to meeting you where you are. If you’re ready for support, I’d be honored to work with you.

I am a Psychologist who is passionate about helping women through life transitions and reproductive challenges, including pregnancy, motherhood, infertility, loss and trauma.

My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. I am open-minded, easy to talk to, and strive to build genuine connections that make therapy feel more like a conversation than an interview. Many people describe me as someone who feels familiar, like they’ve known me for years. I believe in using humor, collaboration, and practical strategies to help navigate life’s challenges while honoring each person’s culture, experiences, and values.

I am currently accepting new clients. Life can feel loud, confusing, or just plain heavy, and you do not have to sort through it alone. I work with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, mood changes, personality-related struggles, and big emotions. Whether you are looking for support for your child or for yourself, our work can help you feel more understood, more steady, and better equipped for everyday life.

With over 15 years of experience, I have helped countless individuals navigate the challenges they face and find peace within themselves. Together, we can work towards culminating a healthier and more fulfilling future.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my dogs, hiking with friends, cooking, and making flower arrangements. I also enjoy spending time doing artsy activities or attending local events.

I’m Meghan Smith, LCSW, and I specialize in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and acute stress. I use EMDR, CBT, ACT, and DBT within a trauma-informed framework — tailoring every treatment plan to you. Therapy with me is collaborative, grounded, and at a pace that feels safe. I’m here to walk alongside you, not push you.

Your goals are most important to me, but I do recommend goals when needed. I accept you just as you are. I will work together with you to achieve an improved quality of life. I have over 30 years experience working in mental health counseling, and 10 1/2 years as a licensed provider. In that time, I have learned to use a variety of modalities. I tailor the type of therapy to my client and to his/her needs, so I might introduce more than one type during our work together. The issues I work with most include depression, anxiety, and trauma, I am also certified in addiction recovery, and neurodivergent issues.