LGBT therapists in Salinas, CA

I have 15 years of experience as a therapist. You are all so unique. I love hearing each person's story. It enables me to be more specific in sessions. I like to work collaboratively. I want to know what you need at this point in your life. I welcome feedback. I attended U.S.C. as an undergrad and I attended California State University Los Angeles for my Masters degree in Psychology. I think everyone deserves to be happy. If I can be of assistance to you, that is my goal.

I believe meaningful change happens when we work together as equals. My path to becoming a therapist wasn't a straight line; transitioning from the corporate world to clinical care allows me to blend evidence-based theories with practical, real-world application.

Amina has a Masters in Social Work with a concentration on Direct Practice in Community Mental Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Additional education is a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Japanese, and a Pupil Personnel Service Credential specializing on children and families. She has over 18+ years of direct practice mental health experience and is trained in evidence based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Art Therapy, trauma informed care, Gottman's couples Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, somatic therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Systems therapy. Other practices include music/sound therapy, career and academic counseling, life coaching, mind and body connection, specializations in immigrant issues, multicultural issues, gender identity issues, LGTBQI issues, chronic illness and medical issues counseling, blended family issues, intergenerational issues, social justice issues, neurodivergent issue (ADHD, autism, sensory issues).

Hi, I'm Mitch — a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University. San Diego has been home since 2020, when the Navy first brought me here.

My background includes pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, inpatient psychiatry in Nashville and San Diego, crisis stabilization, and outpatient mental health care. I’ve worked with veterans, college students, LGBTQ+ individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and patients navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma, substance use, and severe mental illness.

I primarily provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management while integrating supportive therapy, psychoeducation, and practical coping strategies into visits. My approach is collaborative, direct, and grounded in helping people improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life.

I look forward to getting to know you.

I’ve worked in the social services field for 20 years and have been practicing as a therapist since 2022. I have worked with navigating childhood trauma, attachment wounds, anxiety, depression, relationship patterns, identity, and the challenges that come with being a human in a complicated world. I especially enjoy working with LGBTQ+ clients, men, and parents who are interested in understanding themselves more deeply and making meaningful changes in their lives. My personality shows up in the therapy room—I’m warm, curious, direct, and not afraid to bring in humor when we need it.

I humbly share that I have spent the last 15 years studying, experiencing, and guiding both Eastern and Western medicine.

I offer a grounded, practical, and collaborative space to help you heal, grow, and move forward with clarity. If you're feeling stuck in old patterns or seeking a deeper sense of direction, we will work together to make sense of your story and build a path toward lasting independence.

Reach out today to begin.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with a PsyD in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I provide individual therapy to adults from a culturally informed and collaborative perspective. My clinical experience includes providing individual therapy and psychological assessments to children, adolescents, and adults across community mental health and group practice settings. I work with individuals with a variety of presenting problems including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relational difficulties, identity challenges, stress management concerns, and cultural and ethnic issues.

Before entering the mental health field, I worked in community-based roles within the nonprofit and education sectors, including three years working with children and families in Kuwait. These experiences have strengthened my ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and foster an accepting, adaptable therapeutic approach tailored to each client’s unique needs.