Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Laguna Hills, CA

I’m a licensed therapist with a Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Child and Family Therapy, and I’m certified in Perinatal Mental Health. I work with children, adolescents, and families, and I also support moms navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the emotional challenges of early parenthood. I have experience helping with anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioral challenges, and school-related concerns, and I especially enjoy working with children and pre-teens using play and creative approaches.

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.

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.

With 43 years experience in this field, I want to celebrate your life’s journey and be a catalyst for your awakening to new levels of well-being. Congratulations for showing up for You!

You are taking a giant step in moving your life forward. I have many tools to assist you; from Gabor Mate’s Approach to Trauma Recovery (Compassionate Inquiry) to Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems Parts Work (IFS) to Voice Dialogue, the Gottman Relationship Method, Jungian Archetypal Shadow Work with Myth and Dreams... to all the Expressive Arts Therapies - Art, Writing, Poetry, Music, Dance, Drama, Guided Imagery, Sand-tray and Ritual. My deepest desire is to be present for you as you open the doors to your dreams.

Hi, my name is Ning! I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For the past seven years, I have worked with children, teens, adults, and older adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, major life transitions, complex mental health conditions. My clinical work focuses on anxiety and mood disorders, and I combine cognitive and somatic techniques with talk therapy to address root causes and foster lasting personal growth.

Dr. Neal has practiced counseling and psychotherapy in various clinical and hospital settings since 2007. Dr. Neal has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts degree from Argosy University in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctor of Education degree from Argosy University in Counseling Psychology. She has successfully worked with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a wide range of emotional and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, eating disorders, relationship and attachment issues, parenting difficulties, stress, grief, and trauma. Additionally, Dr. Neal is a certified DBT and trauma therapist, and both a Level 1 Gottman couples therapist and certified Prepare Enrich therapist for couples seeking assessment and counseling. Dr. Neal has successfully helped improve others relationships, marriages and families through multi-modal approaches including Gottman couples therapy, Family Systems, Emotion-focused and Structural Family Therapy.

Another focus area to address in therapy is career counseling and development. Whether you need to change careers or need help with your career path or dynamics, Dr. Neal can assess and assist you with finding the best fit.

I specialize in EMDR therapy for trauma, PTSD, and anxiety related to chronic stress and difficult life experiences. I work with adults seeking lasting relief from trauma symptoms, including first responders and individuals recovering from overwhelming or life-changing events.

I’m Dr. Cathy Evangelatos, a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California. I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing and growth. You have the option to choose a secular or faith-integrated approach for therapy.

Education:

· I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology. I also hold a master’s degree in Theology and offer optional Christian-integrated therapy for clients who wish to explore the intersection of mental health and their spiritual identity.

· With more than a decade of experience (pre and post doctoral), I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people through life’s most difficult and meaningful challenges.

Specialized Training-Integrative Faith-Based Approach

With a master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and specialized training in the integration of Christian faith and psychology including my clinical research project on integrating theology and psychology into a faith -based practice. This training equips me to offer thoughtful, well-informed support for clients who wish to explore the intersection of mental health and their faith. This is only provided at your request, and only when it aligns with what you are seeking.

Welcome! Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent many years in the law and advocacy field. My previous training and experience helps me relate well with many different backgrounds with a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse issues and concerns encountered by others. I love working with adults of all ages and couples in their journey towards self-discovery, personal growth, greater connection and fulfillment.

I see therapy as a collaborative journey, where I walk alongside you rather than ahead of you. For nearly a decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, substance use, chronic pain, and life transitions. My background in clinical psychology, along with board certification in biofeedback and neurofeedback, allows me to integrate both psychological and physiological approaches to healing. Most importantly, I deeply respect the uniqueness of your lived experience and strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma, PTSD/CPTSD, attachment wounds, grief, anxiety and relationship concerns. I work with adolescents, adults, couples, families, veterans, and military-connected clients. My path into psychotherapy began through fine art, consciousness studies and contemplative practice, which continue to shape my appreciation for creativity, meaning, and the complexity of each person’s experience. I earned my M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, completed advanced training in psychedelic-assisted therapies at CIIS, and am pursuing a Ph.D. in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

I have been in the psychology field for over 20 years. I have an extensive background treating public safety, military, hospital personnel and there families for trauma, work related stressors and family issues. I have treated people who have survived trauma and I am also a trauma survivor. I have worked substance abuse treatment facilities and both inpatient and out patient psychiatric hospitals treating moderate to severe mental heath problems.

I am experienced in conducting diagnostic testing evaluations, fitness for work and pre-employment evaluations. I am a court recognized expert in a few different areas.

Due to my time practicing and vast experience nothing suprises me. I have seen, heard or dealt with most things in the this field. You cannot put a price tag on experience. I have also lived life and have experienced many things myself that clients come into my office wanting help with. I don't know about you but I like getting help from those that have treated the issues in the past or have gone through it themselves versus those that have read about it in books.