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

I provide compassionate, strengths-based therapy to support individuals navigating life’s most difficult seasons, including trauma, major life transitions, and grief. My approach centers on helping clients feel seen, supported, and empowered as they work through emotional challenges and move toward healing and resilience.

I specialize in grief and loss, adjustment to terminal illness, and anxiety. Using process-oriented and compassion-focused counseling techniques, I help clients explore their experiences at a deeper level while developing practical tools for emotional balance and self-understanding. I am also trained in Brainspotting, an evidence-based trauma therapy that supports clients in processing deep emotional pain and unresolved trauma in a safe and supportive environment.

My goal is to create a therapeutic space where clients feel understood, respected, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

I have been practicing psychotherapy many years and have a wealth of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I have been trained in psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and dilaectial behavior therapy. I believe that people have the innate ability to improve their lives when given focused therapeutic attention and support.

I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of social work experience and 5 years of experience as a psychotherapist. My experience ranges from treating children ages 5 and older to treating geriatric individuals aged 70+. I am a bilingual, Latina therapist and I conduct therapy in both English and Spanish. I have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health and private practice treating a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, co-occurring disorders, and more. Much of my work has been focused on working with the Latino community in Southern California as well as disadvantaged communities of color.

Hola! My name is Gloria Chavez, a bilingual licensed clinical social worker in California, working specifically in the Southern San Diego-Chula Vista communities. I have worked as a bilingual clinical social worker for over 15 years in this community, with great pride. My experience working in community clinics, and outpatient hospital clinics, have helped me work with diverse population and a myriad of presenting issues, ranging from adjsutment disorder, anxiety and depression, as well as trauma , abuse, loss and grief.

Welcome — I’m Maria, and I help children, families, and individuals who are navigating grief, loss, anxiety, depression, or life changes that feel heavy to carry alone. You may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to express what you’re going through. My goal is to offer a warm, safe space where you feel heard, supported, and understood.

My passion is to empower those that have not found their potential. We all have our own stories and experiences which makes us perfect candidates for success when we have the right support. Whether you have lived it, experienced it or witnessed it, the effects of trauma are devastating. Quit beating yourself up. It is time to heal. With 20 years experience in addiction and over 10 working with trauma, it is time to recover from the past, survive the present, and flourish into the future. It all starts with you.