Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Petaluma, CA covered by Aetna

Hello, I'm Mindy. I'm a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 16 years of clinical experience. My path has included military service, community health work in rural Morocco, and care across many settings, from intensive care to hospice. These experiences shape how I show up: with warmth, curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for everyone's story. I treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

That means taking time to dig into your history, what has worked, what has not, and what you actually want from your care. Whether that is medication management or medication management with therapy, we figure it out together.

I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, and life transitions including loss, chronic illness, major life changes, and times when you just cannot name what is wrong yet.

Are you anxious, troubled, stuck, weighed down? I believe that you have the inner strength and power to live your best life. But it is hard to be hopeful when you feel trapped by old patterns. That’s where our work together begins. I believe that therapy is a collaborative and creative process. My goal is to help you feel better in the present, while finding deeper insight and lasting change for the future. My style is warm, supportive, interactive, and sometimes humorous. I will adapt our work to meet your unique needs and goals. I believe that the relationship we build in therapy is the foundation for healing and change.

I strive to create a comfortable environment where you feel safe to be your true self. Im here as a trusted partner that you can confide in, but also to challenge you and help you grow. I often will give you homework/activities /reflections/ to focus on in-between sessions.

People say I am a good listener so I will get to know you and the goals you bring to therapy

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, a Registered Art Therapist and EMDR trained. I help teens and adults who are struggling with a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and ADHD. The path towards healing from traumatic experiences can seem insurmountable. I am here to tell you; healing is possible. You can expect a collaborative process where we will explore how your mental health is impacting your life and come up with goals to help you cope with and overcome challenges.

Welcome—glad you made it here!

I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience in crisis mental health and private practice. I help adults and adolescents work through anxiety, stress, trauma, and relationship challenges. I understand the impact of high-stress roles where you’re expected to stay in control, even when things build up over time. My style is direct, grounded, and focused on what actually works in real life. I provide a space where you can be honest, feel understood, and be challenged in a way that leads to real change.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected—whether from past trauma, grief, or relationship challenges—you’re not alone, and change is possible. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults of all ages who are navigating trauma, relational rupture, and loss.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m Maria Zavala, a Bilingual/Bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are. I work with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, identity exploration, and emotional challenges, with a strong focus on culturally responsive care. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, grounded, and safe while we gently explore what’s been weighing on you and begin creating a path forward that feels authentic, steady, and truly yours.