Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Cruz, CA

After graduating from New York University with a BFA in drama, I moved to Los Angeles and taught drama and English literature at an L.A. public high school for nearly 20 years. My experience working with teenagers and their families taught me that, all too often, kids' barriers to learning are not academic in nature, but rather emotional challenges stemming from adversity and trauma. I became more and more interested in learning how to help teenagers and adults alike navigate these obstacles and come out stronger in the long run. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders (including OCD), PTSD and Complex-PTSD, and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

Trauma-Informed. I specialize in treating adults with unresolved childhood traumas / C-PTSD. I deeply understand how early life experiences shape present-day struggles—I specialize in helping people heal from those roots, not just manage surface-level symptoms.

I am trained in powerful, evidence-based and experiential modalities like EMDR, IFS-informed parts work, Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Safe and Sound Protocol, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Not one-size-fits-all—I tailor treatment to each individual’s nervous system, attachment patterns, and inner world.

Most importantly, I show up as a therapist: I provide a warm, safe, and non-judgmental space where clients can be fully seen, heard, and validated. I understand that reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, and I meet clients with compassion, patience, and respect for their pace.

I am committed to helping clients work through inner emotional conflicts so they can move toward a more stable, fulfilling, and connected life—not just symptom relief, but real, lasting transformation.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, and I've been working in mental health since I was in my twenties — over 20 years, most recently within LA County public service. I'm now building a private practice focused on adults who are actively choosing to be in therapy. I see clients via telehealth throughout California.

Brandy earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology from California State University of Long Beach in 2006 and earned her Masters of Social Work from California State University Fullerton in 2013. Brandy brings with her over twenty years of experience working in diverse clinical settings.

I believe therapy should feel like a collaboration, an honest, safe space where you don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk in the door. My goal is to help you find clarity, strength, and connection in the places that matter most: within yourself and in your relationships.

Hello! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and have extensive experience in the mental health field. I have a strong and diverse background working both with veterans at the VA, and entertainment industry clients at the Entertainment Community Fund. I have been in private practice for the past several years. I enjoy helping adults at different stages to navigate life transitions and challenges. If you are a college student entering adulthood needing support, a young adult in your 20s or 30s trying to forge your path, or an older adult adjusting to retirement, I can offer skills, insight and a helping hand to empower your personal growth. I can work with you on issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems and chronic health conditions, and also have specialized training to help you process trauma and address PTSD, often stemming from childhood and family experiences.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.

Hi! I'm Ava, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in self-esteem, depression, and trauma in women. I earned my Bachelor's in Psychology & Education from UCLA and my Master's of Marriage & Family Therapy (clinical psychology) from USC.

Women who find me often describe feeling disconnected from themselves in ways that are hard to explain.

Most are in their 20s, many of whom are Latina, navigating identity shifts and redefining who they are after major life transitions. They may have ambition, potential, and clear goals, yet still feel held back by something invisible. That “something” often goes by many names: depression, low self-worth, insecure attachment, abandonment and rejection wounds, and unresolved relational trauma from childhood.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m Maria Zavala, a Bilingual/Bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are. I work with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, identity exploration, and emotional challenges, with a strong focus on culturally responsive care. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, grounded, and safe while we gently explore what’s been weighing on you and begin creating a path forward that feels authentic, steady, and truly yours.