Find a therapist in Santa Cruz, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Santa Cruz, CA accepting new patients
Headway serves Santa Cruz across all neighborhoods, connecting you with 8,968 warm and solution-oriented providers. Get started with a free intake call, find availability as soon as tomorrow, and benefit from insurance coverage that can reduce your session costs significantly.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (NY & CA) with an MSW from NYU and a BA in Communications from Northwestern. With 14 years as a professional actor and teaching artist, I incorporate creativity into my eclectic therapeutic approach, which includes CBT, mindfulness, expressive arts, and psychodynamics. I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relational challenges, and personal growth.
If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, or life's emotional challenges, please know you don’t have to carry this weight alone. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to helping you reclaim your life. My practice is built on a foundation of deep empathy and genuine care. I treat you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Together, we will navigate your challenges using evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique story and goals. Your mental health journey deserves a safe space, and I am here to provide exactly that as we work toward your healing.
Hi, I’m Dr. Jessica. Thank you for checking out my profile. Finding the right therapist can be a bit of a process, and I appreciate you considering my services. I specialize in working with high-achievers, highly-sensitive/empath people, influences and content creators who are balancing career, relationships, and personal wellbeing. Many of my clients come to me exhausted from burnout or carrying deep relationship wounds—whether from breakups, divorce, or ongoing relationship struggles. These experiences can leave you questioning your self-worth and identity.
Hi! I'm Dr. Charla and I am a licensed therapist (est. 2014) specializing in identity and authentic self-expression. Holding a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, I integrate clinical expertise with holistic certifications in EMDR and Hypnotherapy. My eclectic approach meets clients at the intersection of traditional psychology and alternative healing.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, ADHD, depression, or the weight of past trauma? I work with adults who want to feel more grounded, understood, and confident in navigating their lives. Together, we can make space for what you’ve been carrying, better understand what may be holding you back, and reconnect with your strengths. I offer a warm, affirming, and collaborative space where your story matters and change can happen at a pace that feels right for you.
Stuck? In pain? Contemplating a life change, or just had one thrust upon you? Let's explore your options and make things easier.
I have 20+ years of experience helping demoralized adults back to high functionality. I specialize in helping develop motivational skills in those are dealing with depression, anxiety and adjustment issues (including relational and gender identity issues).
Perhaps you are visiting today to obtain answers to confusion, peace in the torment, clarity from the chaos, healing from the pain. Maybe you just want someone to understand your pain. You might be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless. Whatever your reasoning may be, I am dedicated to help you achieve hope and healing. Thank you for taking the first step to work toward your personal healing journey.
I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. I work with adolescents and adults who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low self-worth, family conflict, and major life transitions.
My approach is both compassionate and collaborative. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and not judged. I believe that therapy is not one-size-fits-all, so I tailor my work to meet your unique needs and goals. Together, we’ll explore patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.
I have experience supporting clients through complex family dynamics, cultural expectations, and identity development. I also work closely with individuals dealing with disordered eating and body image concerns, helping them develop a more balanced and trusting relationship with themselves.
Clients often describe me as warm, direct, and thoughtful. I will meet you with empathy while also gently challenging you when needed to help you grow.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. My goal is to walk alongside you as you build insight, resilience, and a life that feels more aligned with who you are.
Welcome and congratulations on beginning your therapy journey! I'm here to support you as you take steps toward your goals and develop into your best possible self. I hope to create a safe space for you to find relief, healing, and develop meaningful insight to reach your fullest potential.
Hello, I'm Arch Jungers, PMHNP-BC, and I came to psychiatric care more than seven years as a psychiatric charge RN, leading care teams and sitting with patients in their most difficult moments, before becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I truly believe that together, we can solve any mental health problem. When I'm not here, I'm loving on my dogs, playing tennis, or bowling in my weekly league. I am looking forward to meeting you and seeing how I can be of service to you.
About our therapists serving Santa Cruz, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 92%Depression
- 88%Stress management
- 82%Relationship issues
- 79%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 79%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 77%Cigna
- 75%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 66%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

- 48%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 31%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 7%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 37%Family therapy
- 23%Couples therapy
- 15%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Santa Cruz
Searching for therapists in Santa Cruz starts with finding someone whose experience matches what you want support with. Therapists may focus on concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, ADHD, or life transitions. As you compare options, look for training and specialties that fit your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, or work with a licensed marriage and family therapist. A therapist’s bio can help you understand their approach, communication style, and what sessions may look like.
In a smaller city like Santa Cruz, local in-person therapy options may be more limited by office location, commute, and appointment times. Virtual therapy can expand your choices while still connecting you with a therapist licensed in California. Some people prefer meeting in a physical office, while others choose virtual sessions for scheduling flexibility. To narrow your search, review whether a therapist is accepting new patients, has appointment times that fit your calendar, offers a free phone consultation, and works with the type of support you’re seeking, including couples counseling, marriage counseling, or family therapy.
Therapy in Santa Cruz can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and see your estimated cost before you book. Headway helps you compare therapists who are accepting new patients, review detailed profiles, check insurance coverage, and book directly when you’re ready. This makes it easier to find a Santa Cruz therapist who matches your needs, accepts your plan, and offers care in a format that works for you.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
If anyone in your family is experiencing or worried about abuse, threats, or coercion, joint family or couples therapy usually isn't the right starting point — individual support is safer. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) and National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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