Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Salinas, CA

Seeking support is a brave and meaningful step, and I want to honor the courage it takes to be here. Grounded in trauma-informed care and the healing power of connection, I walk alongside clients with warmth and curiosity as they rediscover safety, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.

My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by both personal and professional experiences that deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of meaningful support. I’ve worked with diverse populations in various settings where my focus was on supporting healing through a trauma-informed lens. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work degree from Baylor University, where I completed the clinical track and earned a certificate in trauma-informed care.

I provide therapy for adults, teens, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, mood disorders, and complex relationship dynamics. In addition to individual work, I support parents and co-parents in strengthening communication and collaboration to promote healthier family systems.

(Hablo Español) I'm a warm, welcoming person who enjoys making others feel comfortable and heard. I approach conversations with an open mind, staying nonjudgmental and genuinely curious about different perspectives. I value kindness, honesty, and creating a space where people can be themselves. Whether we're solving a problem or just chatting, I aim to keep things approachable, positive, and easy to understand.

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults across a range of emotional and behavioral concerns. I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is supportive, respectful, and non-judgmental, where clients feel safe to explore their experiences openly. I believe that emotional distress is a natural response to life’s challenges and that, with appropriate support, individuals can develop insight, resilience, and effective coping strategies. I am committed to working collaboratively with clients from diverse backgrounds and identities, including LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse individuals, and I prioritize creating an affirming and inclusive therapeutic space.

Hi! I'm andrew (Drew) Sutherland. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist focusing on helping people feel better day to day, month to month, or year to year. Do you feel like you should be enjoying life more? Do thoughts of the past or images from a future keep you from moving forward with the things you want to do? Do you feel as if you are a passenger in your life rather than the one driving action, growth, change, and happiness? I understand. I felt the same way before I began my mental health journey. I use a client centered approach and tailor my work to what you need. You are in the driver's seat. Together, we will collaboratively work to help you become what you have only imagined.

My Ph.D. is from Biola University, and I completed my clinical internship and post-doctoral training at Aurora San Diego, a psychiatric facility where I worked with civilian and active-duty military adults. That training grounded me in CBT, ACT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy, including CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) for trauma, with extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. I have been working with clients since 2019 and became a licensed psychologist in California in 2026.

Outside of work, I'm usually training for my next Spartan race, swing dancing, deep in a Lego build, or out exploring a trail. I'm also an avid reader and always on the hunt for a good new coffee shop.