Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Mission Viejo, CA

We can all feel overwhelmed by persistent sadness, anxiety, or racing thoughts. Major life shifts—like a career change, relationship end, parenting, or new phase of life—can be difficult to navigate. You do not have to figure it out alone.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping adults break free from painful emotional patterns and reclaim a sense of control. My practice specializes in treating mood disorders and guiding individuals through challenging life transitions.

Welcome to Bright House Therapy, LLC. My name is Virginia Sanchez, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with several years of experience working in LGBTQIA+, Grief & Loss, Bipolar, Trauma, ADHD, and Autism. I have worked in several different settings; supporting families involved with the Department of Children Services, assisting creating and following through with routines for adults with special needs, developed and ran LGBTQIA+ groups for parents of LGBTQIA+ youth, and provided support to Veterans through the Veteran Crisis Line.

I subscribe to cognitive behavioral therapy, emphasizing the rational behavioral therapy modality. I hold a doctorate (EdD) in counseling and educational psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I also earned my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned a Master's in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union. I have been practicing since 1987 and am a seasoned therapist.

¡Hola! Finding your balance doesn't happen all at once, it happens paso a paso (step by step). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 8+ years of experience, my heart’s work has always been to provide culturally centered, evidence-based care for those navigating the complexities of early parenthood, identity transitions, anxiety, and depression.

My goal is to provide a warm, collaborative space where you feel truly heard and empowered. Together, we will work to reduce the overwhelm so you can find more balance and joy in your everyday life.

I am dedicated to helping individuals make meaningful, lasting changes by developing coping skills that fit their unique life experiences. With over 20 years of experience in addiction treatment and mental health services, I bring a grounded, compassionate, and client‐centered approach to therapy. I believe that you know yourself better than anyone else, and my role is to support you in uncovering your strengths, healing from past experiences, and building a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.

My specialties include substance use disorders, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, and co‐occurring mental health challenges. I am committed to helping clients improve their relationships, reduce stress, and strengthen their sense of self‐worth. I focus on the whole person—mind, body, and environment—because growth in one area naturally supports growth in all others.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in community mental health, co-occurring substance use treatment, and residential care settings. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use challenges, mood disorders, relationship stress, and major life transitions.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel heard, respected and supported without judgement. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. I draw from CBT, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches to help clients build insight, emotional stability, and healthier coping strategies.

You may be seeking support in moving toward a more preferred version of yourself, your life, and your relationships. You may be questioning important facets of your identity, or wondering how to locate and uproot the seeds of painful and complicated emotions. Perhaps you are curious about navigating a different type of relational structure with your loved ones, or you may be feeling stuck with a particular challenge in the way you connect to others. My role as a therapist is to provide support and facilitate insight that will allow you to work toward your personal goals.

I work with adults and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, past hurts, and life transitions that can feel overwhelming to carry alone. Many of my clients come in feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to move forward. My goal is to offer a supportive, welcoming space where you feel heard and understood as we work toward greater peace, confidence, and connection in your life.

With a Masters in Holistic Counseling Psychology as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #106892) and with a Masters Certification in Intuitive and Energy Medicine (MIM) I offer an integrative approach that blends evidence based therapeutic modalities with psycho-spiritual practices to support healing, growth, and transformation for personal and spiritual development.

While I am new to Headway, I have been practicing in various schools settings as a counselor for over a decade: supporting students and parents navigate, life, learning and loss of all types. Whether you or your child experience neurodivergence (such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, emotionality, sensory sensitivities, demand avoidance, etc.) or are struggling with social , work, relationship or routine daily demands, I am here to support you.

I tailor each session to meet the client's individual needs, personality, and strengths. Together, we'll build on your resilience, intuition, and inner resources while creating opportunities for growth, healing, and self-empowerment. My goal is to provide a safe, collaborative environment to make changes at your pace.