Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Santa Ana, CA covered by Cigna

I am Loren Neiswender, DNP, PMHNP, a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

I know finding the right mental health provider can feel overwhelming my goal is to create a welcoming judgment free space where you feel heard understood and empowered to take an active role in your treatment.

A little background: I attended Loma Linda University School Nursing for my Bachelor of Science and RN degrees, Cal State Long Beach for my Master of Science and Nurse Practitioner degrees, and most recently UCLA for my Doctor of Nursing practice degree.

The boring details: I offer both telehealth and in person psychiatric services telehealth appointments are available to patients anywhere in California with in-person visits offered in San Bernardino and at my Brentwood satellite office by appointment.

My philosophy: I firmly believe mental health treatment works best when it is collaborative. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and actively involved in developing a treatment plan that fits your unique needs and goals. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, or other mental health concerns we will work together to help you move forward toward lasting wellness.

I have over a decade of experience as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and previously spent nearly 10 years as a neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse. These experiences have shaped my whole-personal approach to care and deep appreciation for clinical connection between physical health, emotional well-being, and family dynamics.

I offer both medication management and supportive therapy taking time to educate patients about their diagnosis and treatment options so they can make informed decisions about their own care.

I have worked in mental health field for over 20yrs. I have worked with all age range. I have a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University. I have worked in several hospitals as well as residential treatment programs. I enjoy working with individuals and couples. I currently work with adults of ages. I can provide virtual services and in office therapy appointments.

Hey there—I'm Mika, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who's here for real talk and real support for adults and teens right here in Southern California. I've spent years helping people work through tough life events like trauma, addictions, ADHD, burnout from high-pressure jobs, anxiety, depression, and rocky relationships. What I love most is seeing folks step into their strength and build the life they want—I'm here to walk that path with you, no judgment, just genuine care.

Sometimes a thoughtful conversation with the right person can make all the difference. As an experienced therapist, husband, and father, I bring both professional training and real-life wisdom to help people navigate life’s challenges. Over many years of both life and clinical work, I’ve had the privilege of helping people move through difficult seasons, gain clarity, and reconnect with their strengths. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’re returning after time away, it’s normal to feel uncertain. Our first conversation is simply a starting point. I often work with people facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, seeking clarity and a practical path forward. Together, we’ll slow things down, understand what’s happening, and identify steps that help move you forward. If you are going through a difficult season, you don't have to navigate it alone.

I specialize in working with teens, young adults, and adult individuals. I work collaboratively to explore the underlying negative patterns that cause you to feel stuck. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, grief, or life transitions, therapy can be a powerful space to gain insight and feel less alone.

Seeking therapy is acknowledging you are allowed to take space, time, and care for yourself. Finding the right therapist is an important first step. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for adolescents, adults, and seniors experiencing anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, and stress. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine connection. I believe healing begins when people feel understood without judgement. Together, we will work to increase insight, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values and goals.

We all reach seasons of life that feel bigger than what we expected to carry.

Maybe becoming a parent has felt more overwhelming than you imagined. Maybe your baby spent time in the NICU, and life after coming home hasn't looked the way you thought it would. Maybe you're worried about your child's development, or maybe you're navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, or a major life transition of your own.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families, with specialized experience supporting early childhood mental health, developmental differences and neurodiversity, pregnancy and postpartum, and families navigating NICU stays and medically complex journeys.

Whatever brings you here, my goal is to help you better understand what's happening, feel more confident moving forward, and create meaningful change that lasts beyond the therapy space.

My goal with therapy is to provide a safe and open space to process and prioritize a growth mindset. I tailor my therapeutic approach to best match the needs of the client and truly believe in promoting acceptance. Some modalities I have experience with and may incorporate into therapy are Acceptance Compassion Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Here-and-now Counseling, Trauma-Informed, and Holistic. I have a passion for working with individuals who are looking to unpack complex emotions and experiences that have shaped their understanding of the world.

Welcome!

Please message me for my availability!

My goal is to create safety, trust, and openness on your path to healing. I have been practicing for over 10 years and firmly believe that wellness is your investment in yourself.

Mi objetivo es generar seguridad, confianza y sinceridad en tu camino hacia la sanación. He estado ejerciendo la profesión durante más de 10 años y creo firmemente que el bienestar es una inversión en ti mismo.

I am a licensed therapist who has been working in the field since 2014 with diverse individuals in different settings. I attended California State Polytechnic University for my Bachelors Degree in Psychology and the University of Southern California for my Masters in Social Work. I specialize in working with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, women's issues and grief and loss issues. On a personal note, I love to hike, cook and watch movies.

Introduction

I primarily use a cognitive behavioral approach. My focus area of practice is helping clients improve their lives and find meaningful change.

My communication style

My sessions are calm, collegial, interactive, respectful, directive, and helpful.

How I help clients reach goals

Change does not necessarily take a long time. We're 'shooting for the moon' right away. What's the worst that could happen?

My journey to becoming a provider

Helping others help themselves is an absolute privilege! I'd pay them to do this work (but please don't tell them that.) How did I get here? It's a long story. I originally went to college to be a journalist, but changed to broadcasting. Dumb. I needed to jumpstart my life, so I changed to this profession. Talk about purpose and meaning!

Healthy relationships don't happen by accident—they're built through understanding, communication, and the willingness to grow. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, feeling disconnected from your partner, navigating relationship conflict, or facing intimacy concerns, you don't have to work through it alone.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree from Pepperdine University, and I specialize in helping adults and couples create healthier relationships with themselves and the people they love. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental while also being practical and goal-oriented. I believe lasting change happens when clients feel genuinely understood while also being challenged to grow.

Together we'll identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, strengthen communication, develop practical coping skills, and build deeper emotional and relational connection. Whether you're working through anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or questions surrounding intimacy, my goal is to help you leave therapy feeling more confident, connected, and equipped to create meaningful change.

I use family systems thinking to understand how relationships shape your experiences, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I'm also interested in how attachment styles influence your choices and connections. I believe in meeting you where you are and tailoring our work to what fits you best.