Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Laguna Hills, CA

Hi there, I’m Gloria. With more than 20 years of experience, I’ve had the honor of helping individuals and families move through life’s stressors and challenges. I work with children, youth, and adults, and I especially enjoy supporting people navigating anger, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile, and I welcome the chance to help you improve your quality of life.

My goal is to help you overcome the challenges you are facing in a safe and comfortable environment to help you improve your quality of life. My passion is helping those with substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid use disorder, safely detox from the substances and work towards a meaningful and long-lasting recovery. With a decade of experience serving a wide range of patients I am a dual-certified family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Hello and Welcome

With 30 years of experience as a licensed marriage, family therapist, my journey began at Sacramento California, where I first received my license and found my calling serving families within the community. Over time I found my way into private practice where my reach into the community grew and a deep passion for working with adults at various stages of their life emerged and one that has become central to my calling as a therapist.

Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to learning and growing alongside the field pursuing, continued education and certifications.

My clients often want to know a little about the person behind this practice. I am someone who loves to travel and spends time outdoors . Camping and water adventures are always my happy place and those who know me best will tell you with a knowing grin that I have never met an animal I didn’t love

I believe wholeheartedly that it is vital for me to live a congruent life, to bring my heart and desires into a living presence My passion to live with purpose, curiosity and joy is core to who I am and this is how I show up for my clients every single day.

From your very first visit, you will be received warmly with quiet encouragement and assurance that this is a safe relaxed welcoming space just for you.

I have been on my own healing journey for 40+ years and so I know personally how much courage and effort it can take to heal and grow. I also know how amazing life and relationships can get as a part of that healing process; I wish that experience for everyone.

I work with people who are thoughtful, self-aware, and a little tired of the usual answers. My practice draws from existential therapy, Buddhist psychology, and Gestalt three traditions that share one core idea: that lasting change comes from understanding yourself more deeply, not managing yourself more efficiently. I wrote a book about this, Growing Through Crisis, because I believe that the moments that crack us open are often the ones that matter most. I work with individuals and couples, including those navigating LGBTQ+ identities, non-traditional relationships, and kink or sex-positive lifestyles. I hold a trauma professional certification and bring that lens into grief work, relationship ruptures, and major life transitions.

Hi and Welcome! My names is Jessica Ambroz and I am a therapist & licensed clinical social worker. My background includes working with trauma, child abuse, anxiety and depression. I have extensive work in the foster care system, parenting and working with substance abuse and mental health challenges. I am a doctorate candidate at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and my focus of study is strength and experiences impact functioning.

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.