Book grief and loss therapy, covered by insurance
Grief counselors and therapists in Santa Barbara, CA


Top grief and loss counseling therapists in Santa Barbara, CA
Coping with bereavement, anticipatory grief, or the loss of a loved one requires compassionate, specialized care. Headway's Santa Barbara-based network includes therapists experienced in grief counseling, meaning-making, and trauma-informed support to help you process your loss.
I am dedicated to helping teens struggling with trauma and self-harm behavior. My experience working with Orange Unified School District, running groups from grade 6-12 for students struggling with emotional and behavioral problems has given me unique insight into not only helping teens, but also working with the families, schools, and community to provide more effective treatment. I have partnered with Western Youth Services in helping at risk teens and low income families in helping adolescents to overcome academic barriers and families cope with serious defiance and drug use.
Hello! I'm Amanda Long, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to serving families through compassionate, culturally sensitive mental health care. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and have been practicing as a PMHNP since 2019, with over a decade of nursing experience beginning in 2011. My educational foundation also includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in Springfield, which broadened my understanding of human behavior and community dynamics. My journey in mental health has taken me through diverse settings that have shaped my comprehensive approach to care. I've worked in psychiatric emergency services at a major hospital, 23-hour crisis stabilization units, outpatient clinics, correctional facilities, and forensic mental health centers, including fitness-to-stand-trial evaluations. This varied experience has equipped me to understand mental health from multiple perspectives and meet people wherever they are in their journey, whether they're facing an acute crisis or seeking ongoing support. I specialize in medication management for individuals across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults and older adults. My treatment areas include depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related conditions, psychotic disorders, and other mental health concerns. I'm experienced in both telehealth and in-person care, making quality psychiatric services accessible and convenient for your lifestyle. What drives me is the belief that everyone deserves competent, caring mental health support that honors their unique background and circumstances. I'm committed to improving the communities I serve, one individual and family at a time, through evidence-based practice combined with genuine human connection. My approach centers on partnership and creating a safe environment for healing. I look forward to supporting you and your family's wellness journey.
Hi! I'm a Latino therapist (he/him) born and raised in East Los Angeles. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from UCLA and my Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. With nearly 9 years of experience in child welfare, probation, and community mental health, I use a holistic, trauma-informed approach to support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported.
Melinda Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy. I received my MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002 and I have been licensed since 2008.
Welcome! As a bilingual licensed therapist, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges by providing emotional support and personalized coping tools. Whether you’re taking your first step into therapy or continuing a journey you’ve been on before, I’m committed to creating a safe space where all of your feelings and life experiences are welcome.
I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, and work with the Spanish-speaking and LGBTQ community as well.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already carrying a heavy load. One thing for sure, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
In my practice, I work extensively with college students, athletes, young adults and adults across various stages of life. I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, performance pressure, injury recovery, burnout, and complex questions around identity and self-worth.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my core mission is to support you through life's most challenging moments so you can step fully into the best version of yourself. Therapy isn't just about managing symptoms, it’s about discovering your strengths, building resilience, and creating a life that feels authentic and aligned with who you are.
We are not meant to carry the entirety of life’s weight alone! I believe that mental health should be very much prioritized to reach true contentment. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for healing and growth. In therapy, we will collaborate on developing the best coping skills for your symptoms and concerns. We will navigate through emotions and work to maintain balance. I aim to provide supportive comfort, as well as challenge, in order to strive for the greatest version of yourself.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. With over six years experience in the field, I have utilized a variety of therapeutic approaches to assess and treat individuals struggling with stress management, adjustment, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, low self-esteem, etc.
IMPORTANT: For current availability, visit https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/ or call or text us anytime at 415-968-6515—we make it super easy! Intake forms are required before your first appointment and will be emailed to you when you book online. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!
Hi! I'm Christina Stelly, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Martinez, CA. With over 15 years of clinical experience across inpatient psychiatry, maternal health, and advanced practice, I am deeply committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to every person I serve.
I specialize in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc.
My academic background includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University. I also completed an intensive NP residency focused on advanced psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and forensic psychiatry, which further strengthened my clinical expertise.
Earlier in my career, I specialized in maternal mental health, serving as a Patient Care Director for high-risk obstetric populations and contributing to perinatal mental health policy at the state and national levels. This background gives me a uniquely broad, whole-person perspective on psychiatric care across the lifespan.
My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, individualized care. I take time to fully understand your history, concerns, and goals before collaboratively building a treatment plan tailored to you. I have also served on health policy committees and presented at national nursing conferences, reflecting my commitment to psychiatric care.
My name is Paul Tran, and I am a Vietnamese-American Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over the past 10 years, I have worked with various populations with diverse backgrounds and challenges including trauma, crisis, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, racial challenges, and immigration issues. My mission is to offer you a safe space for you to truly express and be seen as your whole self, and to bear witness to your growth and healing journey.
I’m someone who truly listens and strives to meet each person exactly where they are. My style is adaptive, reflective, and flexible. I bring authenticity, compassion, and a good sense of humor into my work because I believe that laughter and honesty can be just as healing as insight. I was inspired to become a therapist by my own desire for the kind of support I would have wanted, and I aim to offer that same understanding and care to my clients. People often describe me as warm, genuine, and empowering. I am someone who helps them feel deeply heard and supported while encouraging growth in meaningful ways.
Hello! My name is Miaisha. Are you looking for a space where you can keep it real and get support? Then you are at the right place because I believe that everyone deserves a space where they can feel heard, understood, and supported. I am a compassionate and culturally sensitive Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I use multiple treatment approaches when working with clients, one of which is client-centered, this allows you to be the driver of your journey, while I am riding in the passenger seat. Whether you're adjusting to new life roles or seeking deeper self-understanding, I’m here to support you. You deserve a therapist who sees and affirms you, helping you embrace change with confidence and resilience. Let’s work together to create meaningful, lasting change. I invite you to reach out and take the first step and know that you are not alone. Together, we’ll create a path forward that honors your unique journey.
In my studies at Antioch, I have specialized in Spiritual and Depth Psychology with CBT, DBT, Humanistic-Existential, Client-Centered, Gestalt Theories, Mindfulness, and based on my past experiences have developed a passion for working with a variety of diverse population from 12 years old children and their families to elder adults. I also took courses on World Religions and Women Role in Religion at CSUN, studied in Rabbinical School (AISH Ha’Torah) in Jerusalem, with Buddhist Guru in Nepal and a Hindu Guru in India with knowledge of Vedic (Vedantic), Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Tradition.
For over 15 years being on spiritual path and self-discovery journey, I became a Spiritual Guide, Reiki Master, and a Minister. Lead Spiritual Retreats and trainings around the world, including, India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, Ukraine. This experience prepared me to work with people from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures.
Worked with a vast variety of symptoms and problems providing needed support to my clients suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem. All of these issues and symptoms have a point to make for us to understand our selves better. Working with adolescents in Residential Treatment Centers, Transitional Youth Living Programs, adult and veterans of all ages, there is one common denominator - if you want your life to be better, we can find your individual path and you might become your own Master. We'll apply, or challenge, your believe system, to make positive changes.
I help my clients resolve their problems, learn coping skills, and set their spiritual and/or religious path. Increasing client's understanding of self and accepting life with all the pluses and minuses, learning from the past without the judgment might be a difficult goal to achieve.
I have over 7 years of experience working with depression and anxiety disorders, trauma, couples, and other severe mental health concerns. My goal is to create a comfortable, safe space where you can begin your therapeutic journey with confidence and without judgment. Together, we can openly explore what you want in—and out of—life. If you don't know what that looks like yet, that's okay. We can figure it out together. Your goals may also change along the way, and therapy should have the flexibility to change with you.
About our therapists in Santa Barbara, CA who help people navigate grief and loss



- 100%Grief or loss
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 92%Stress management
- 86%Relationship issues

- 98%Aetna
- 80%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 78%Cigna
- 76%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 67%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 17%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Hindi

- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online

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

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

- 100%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 26%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right grief counselor for you
Headway makes it easy to find a therapist who can support you through loss — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
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