LGBT therapists in Santa Cruz, CA

Dr. Clancy Cavnar is a licensed psychologist with specializations in addictions and psychedelic therapy. She has worked with a wide variety of people and with a broad range of diagnoses and life situations that therapy can help with. She offers a comprehensive assessment and treatment focused on a client’s individual needs. Dr. Cavnar is empathic and compassionate, and therapy with her is an exchange of ideas, with deep listening and non-judgmental acceptance.

I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. I provide a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or past experiences? Moving forward can feel difficult when emotional pain, relationship struggles, or life stress leave you feeling trapped or uncertain.You do not have to face these challenges alone. I provide a compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we can work together to help you heal, grow, and regain confidence. I believe your worth is not defined by your past or your struggles. Together, we will explore practical tools and strategies to help you create meaningful change and move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Hi! I am Alyssa, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with four years of clinical experience. I have found success working with people navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, people-pleasing and perfectionism. I have a specialty in Attachment, which allows us to understand how your upbringing shapes the way you operate in the world.

Maybe you’re newly sober, or not sure you want to be. Maybe you lost someone and the world kept moving when yours didn’t. Or maybe you’re trying to hold yourself together while everything feels like it’s falling apart. If that resonates with you, you’re in the right place. I've spent the better part of a decade working with individuals, couples, and families in the fields of addiction and grief; in both substance abuse treatment settings and solo as an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist. I’ve also worked in hospice and I’m experienced in working with people with complex trauma and mental health challenges.

Hi, I’m Denise Brady, LMFT— a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping people reconnect with their truest selves by healing the emotional wounds left by childhood and parental relationships. Whether you’re navigating the pain of emotional neglect, unmet needs, or complex family dynamics, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore, process, and grow. My work is rooted in the belief that healing the inner child is not about blaming the past, but about understanding it — and learning how to reclaim your voice, your worth, and your power in the present.

Hello! I’m Najwa Azizi, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and support. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, mood disorders, stress, and burnout through a personalized and collaborative approach to care. With a background in both behavioral health and critical care nursing, I understand the importance of treating the whole person — emotionally, mentally, and physically. My goal is to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where clients feel safe, heard, and empowered to grow, heal, and reach their full potential.

My professional and confidential counseling service offers an opportunity for you to reach your goals and the best version of yourself without leaving the comfort of your home with telemental health counseling. Individuals and Couples can participate in a counseling service that is tailored to meet your individualized needs. I am here to listen, support, encourage, guide and coach. I partner with you to create an effective plan that best fits your needs at a pace that is comfortable for you.

I am Candice Clayton of Clayton Counseling Services and I started out in this field with the purpose of educating people on mental health and providing children, adults and families with the services they need to manage their mental health. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. I obtained my masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California and have been providing counseling for over 15 years in various settings with dynamically different clients. My clinical counseling experience includes working within a variety of different areas with children, adults and couples in both residential and outpatient settings. I have worked with emotionally disturbed youth, survivors of child/teen sex trafficking, individuals struggling with gender and sexual identity, couples struggling through communication, infidelity and co-parenting and many other people that were at various phases of life and benefited from some counseling support. I consider my experience extensive and am sure that I can support you through your journey.

Congratulations for taking the hardest step in therapy, reaching out for help. Past traumas, grief, chronic pain and illness, failed relationships, poor self-esteem, or mental illnesses impacts each of us at difference times in our lives. These moments can make us questions ourselves, traps us into feeling hopeless, with no motivation or energy to believe in a better tomorrow. I will not promise that therapy will be easy or that I have a magic cure so you will no longer have Tragedy, illness or loss. I can promise to provide a safe space, using best practices to move forward. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience.

I am a board‐certified clinical therapist with a strong foundation in narrative therapy, helping clients explore and reshape the stories that influence their lives. In recent years, I’ve supported children ages 5–17 as well as adults navigating a wide range of emotional experiences, including anxiety, depression, grief, and gender affirmation.