Find a therapist in Santa Barbara, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Santa Barbara, CA accepting new patients
Discover personalized mental health care in Santa Barbara's vibrant communities including Montecito, Carpinteria, and Goleta. Headway connects you with 8,649 providers offering talk therapy and medication management with free consultations and next-day availability.
As a Marriage and Family therapist, I take pleasure in helping clients acquire skills to build healthier relationships.
I work with people ages 13 to 85. Some of the issues I specialize in are adjustment issues, self-esteem, social pressure, issues you may be dealing with that may expected or unexpected.
Life can be challenging and difficult and I am here to help you work through those challenges you are facing in your life. You may be dealing with depression or work-related issues. I strive to make this a safe environment where you are comfortable with sharing what is really going on. I am bilingual in English/Spanish. ;
Social pressure - Self esteem - Adjustment Issues - Depression - Anxiety
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationships with compassion and care. In my work as a Ketamine-Assisted Therapist, I support individuals healing from developmental and other traumatic experiences, offering a safe and grounded space for growth. My approach empowers clients to move beyond feeling stuck and discover a deeper sense of truth, resilience, and self.
Hi, I'm Ellen, a psychotherapist who treats adults and adolescents 19 and up. I combine psychodynamic techniques with spirituality to create a session that offers both common sense and compassion, and also some creative and fun interventions! I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationships, and more. My approach is individualized to respect you and what you need or hope for in therapy. I am a marriage and family therapist with experience in school, clinic, and private practice.
I help clients break the cycle of self-defeating patterns by exploring the lasting impact of early attachment wounds—especially the often unspoken pain of under-mothering and emotional neglect. My approach is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing begins when we de-stigmatize shame and make space for our unmet needs.
With certification in EMDR and advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), I support clients in working through trauma, grief, and relational challenges. My background also includes working with first responders and professional athletes navigating high-pressure roles and emotional resilience.
Whether you're facing anxiety, grief, or feeling stuck in old patterns, I provide a steady therapeutic presence—offering insight, empathy, and deep respect for your healing process. Together, we work toward greater self-trust, healthier boundaries, and a renewed sense of wholeness.
Many of the women I work with grew up with high expectations & low emotional support. They learned to prioritize loyalty, achievement, or caregiving over their own needs. Over time, this can create anxiety, burnout, relationship struggles, and a deep sense of disconnection from the self. I specialize in working with women healing from abuse, emotionally unavailable parents & religious & intergenerational trauma. Many of my clients struggle with people-pleasing, guilt, perfectionism, hyper-independence, difficulty setting boundaries, or feelings of responsibility. They often know "why they are the way they are" but still feel stuck.
I’m a clinical psychologist (doctor) in Ventura county, California, with over 25 years of experience and a practice designed to feel calm, human, and welcoming. Many of the patients I work with come to therapy feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, depressed, or stuck. They may be navigating trauma, grief, relationship pain, major life transitions, or the quiet weight of having tried to manage too much for too long. My work is for people who are ready for something deeper than just getting through the day. My approach is warm, grounded, and deeply human, focused on real life, not just symptoms.
Aloha nui loa, and welcome to new possibilities, as you step through the threshold of conscious self-care. Congratulation on taking that first step in reaching out for help. Let's start that process together by creating a treatment plan that will address your needs.
I'm a therapist offering in-person sessions in the Westlake Village area of Southern California, and telehealth to folks throughout California. I decided to become a therapist after many years of working in corporate America, and I have a Master's in Clinical Psychology and an LMFT license.
About our therapists serving Santa Barbara, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 93%Depression
- 88%Stress management
- 82%Relationship issues
- 79%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 77%Cigna
- 76%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 76%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 67%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 16%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Hindi

- 90%Online only
- 9%In-person or online

- 79%Woman
- 20%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 47%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 31%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 7%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 37%Family therapy
- 23%Couples therapy
- 15%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Santa Barbara
Finding therapists in Santa Barbara starts with knowing what kind of support fits your needs. Many people look for therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, or life transitions. As you compare therapists, look for training and listed specialties that match what you want to work on. A therapist’s profile can help you understand their approach, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or acceptance and commitment therapy.
Santa Barbara has a smaller local therapist market than larger California cities, so virtual therapy can help expand your options beyond nearby offices in areas like Goleta, Montecito, and Carpinteria. You may prefer an in-person therapist with an office near your routine, or a virtual appointment that fits your schedule. Before booking, review whether a therapist is accepting new patients, offers appointment times that work for you, and provides a free phone consultation. Reading bios can also show how a therapist describes their communication style, session structure, and experience with concerns like yours.
Therapy in Santa Barbara can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway helps you search for therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, verify your coverage, and see estimated out-of-pocket costs before you book. You can browse therapists, compare profiles, and book directly when you’re ready.
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