Find a therapist in San Luis Obispo, CA — covered by insurance

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, and I have really wanted to build

something of my own for a long time. Going into private practice was not an impulsive decision. It is something I have thought about carefully, and I am committed to making it work well for the people I work with. My background includes clinical work with adults and families

across a range of settings from psychiatric hospitals, to non profits and private practice. I am based in the Coachella Valley and serve clients throughout

California via telehealth. I am also in the process of establishing an in-person office here in the

valley, because I know how hard it can be to find consistent, quality mental health care locally.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. I also work with people dealing with chronic stress, relationship challenges, and the kind of emotional weight that builds up when life keeps asking more of you than you feel you have to give. I have a

particular connection to working with Latino and bicultural clients, single parents, and people who are navigating coparenting and the identity shifts that come with it.

More that fifteen years of teaching English and drama at a Los Angeles public high school taught me many things - primarily, it taught me how often people's barriers to achievement are not due to any lack of skill or ability, but rather from emotional barriers stemming from stress, adversity and trauma. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders, PTSD (including Complex-PTSD) and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

As your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I want you to know that I am here for you every step of the way. You can trust that I am fully committed to your well-being and dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care.

Something positive, warm, and uplifting about me as your PMHNP is that I genuinely believe in your strength and resilience. I see your potential for growth and healing, even during the toughest of times. Together, we'll navigate through the challenges.

Whether you are struggling with depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, building intimacy in relationships, responding to emotions, or the stress of being human, it is key to know that you are not alone. I offer a safe and comfortable space to explore these struggles.

Life's challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, or the transitions that come with different stages of life. You don't have to navigate these experiences alone. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and judgment-free space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered to move toward meaningful change from an eclectic evidenced based approach that promotes hope, stability, and wellness, including faith-based perspective.

I specialize in working with adults and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, intimate relationship conflict, and couples counseling.I believes my purpose is to assist individuals to live life healthy and with hope.

I have extensive experience with substance abuse, holding a previous Certified Alcohol Drug Certificate (CADC) in Illinois, previous certification as an Emergency Services Prescreener with mental health, certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional, trained in level 2 of the Gottman Couples Method, experienced with anxiety, depression, grief & loss, and intimate relationship conflict. I received an outstanding excellent therapy award in 2021 and am committed to lives being changed. I am inspired daily by my husband, two adult children, and in love with my five grandchildren. In my spare time I love exercising, running miles, and reading educational/spiritual literature to keep myself sharp to assist others in sharpen themselves.

I have experience working with children, youth, adults, families, couples but in the last few years, I have shifted my main focus to work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, trauma and depression. I’ve worked in the mental health field for 22 years and been practicing as a therapist for about 10 years. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe that prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be difficult, so congratulations on taking your first step to start therapy.

Many people come to therapy carrying pain that is difficult to put into words. You may understand why you're struggling, yet still find yourself repeating the same patterns, feeling stuck in painful relationships, grieving losses, or wondering why lasting change feels out of reach. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, infertility, trauma, stress, family concerns, maternal mental health challenges, and life transitions. Many of my clients are thoughtful, insightful people who want more than temporary relief, they want to understand themselves more deeply and create meaningful, lasting change. Together, we'll explore the experiences, relationships, and emotional patterns that have shaped your life while building greater self-awareness and self-compassion. My goal is to help you gain clarity, strengthen your relationships, and create a life that feels more connected, purposeful, and authentic.

I work with adults and parents who often feel like they’re managing a lot on the outside while internally feeling stuck in patterns that repeat across relationships, self-doubt, or emotional reactions. Many clients come in noticing that parenting, stress, or relationship dynamics bring up responses that feel bigger than the situation and are hard to make sense of. In our work, we start with what’s happening in your current life and then connect those experiences to earlier patterns so you can understand them in context rather than feel overwhelmed by them.

Hi, I'm Carmen! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 4 years of experience supporting individuals, children, and families through life's toughest moments. I specialize in helping people navigate anxiety, depression, mood challenges, neurodivergence, self-esteem struggles, parenting stress, chronic pain, insomnia, and major life transitions. What drives me is creating a space where you feel truly seen, heard, and supported—because I believe in meeting you exactly where you are.