Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Cruz, CA

I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Nina, a licensed therapist who is passionate about helping people feel better and live more fulfilling lives. I’ve worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and offer services in both English and Spanish. My goal is to support your well-being by helping you build skills, navigate challenges, and create healthier, more meaningful relationships.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in school-based and community mental health settings, supporting children, teens, young adults, adults, and families through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges.

I specialize in working with anxiety, self-esteem struggles, emotional regulation, life transitions, relationship stress, and school-related challenges. My experience working closely with youth and families has deeply shaped the way I understand emotional development, family dynamics, and the importance of feeling seen, supported, and connected.

Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, engaging, and easy to talk to. I believe therapy should feel human, collaborative, and supportive — not cold or overly clinical. My goal is to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are while feeling safe enough to grow, heal, and better understand yourself.

I know how heavy life can feel when you’re carrying pain, uncertainty, or self-doubt. But I believe, as a wise old wizard once said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of places, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” My role is to help you find that light again. I work with Gen Z and Millennial adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. Through integrative, culturally responsive care, I combine evidence-based psychiatry with holistic strategies to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create a life that aligns with your true self.

As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.

Welcome! My name is Megan and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have experience working with clients as young as 4 years old and up. I frequently work with clients who experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, ADHD, and relationship problems.

• Empowering individuals and families to break generational cycles, heal from complex trauma, and confidently navigate life's toughest transitions.

I am a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California. My career is dedicated to supporting individuals navigating life’s most vulnerable, chaotic moments with a deeply grounded, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed approach.

My background spans crisis intervention, community leadership, and family advocacy. I have specialized experience with youth and young adults, including aged-out foster youth, justice-involved young adults, and teens navigating severe crisis, self-harm, or substance use. I also specialize in family reunification and breaking generational cycles of abuse, having worked closely with child welfare and served as an international speaker on child abuse prevention and women's empowerment for DIF in Tijuana, Mexico. Additionally, I provide individual and group therapy for court-mandated domestic violence offenders, addressing accountability and toxic masculinity.

Whether you are a young adult rewriting your future, a parent fighting for your family's healing, or an individual ready to break old cycles, I provide a compassionate, safe, and culturally responsive space to guide you forward. Sana tus heridas en tu propio idioma.

I work primarily with young adults who are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck — especially when it comes to anxiety and relationship challenges. Many of my clients are used to holding it all together on the outside, but internally feel lost or unsure of how to move forward.

I bring a calm, grounded presence to the work, even in high-stress situations. Much of my background is in working with clients in crisis, which allows me to help you navigate difficult emotions without things feeling out of control. At the same time, I’m warm, relatable, and honest — I’ll meet you where you are, while also gently challenging patterns that may be keeping you stuck when or if needed.

Dr. Fidelis Azeke is a University of the Pacific, Sacramento graduate and a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who specializes in treating patients of all ages. He has 13 years of nursing experience, and over 6 years of specialization in the practice of psychiatry, overseeing the care of patients - infants, children, adults, through the lifespan. Dr. Azeke is a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in California, Utah, Washington State and New York State.