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 8,971 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.
Welcome! I’m Marissa Brooks, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of experience working in the mental health field. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of treatment settings, including crisis residential programs and outpatient mental health services. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Criminal Law and Behavior, as well as a Master’s degree in Social Work. I specialize in working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and stress management.
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.
My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. I know that seeking help for your mental health can take courage, and I deeply respect each person’s journey. I take time to listen, collaborate, and find a treatment plan that fits your individual needs and lifestyle. I value open communication and believe that healing happens best when we work together as a team.
Dr. M., here to help. For over 25 years, I've enjoyed collaborating with folks, building skills to help them live their best lives, and clearing paths for growth. I offer trauma-informed talk therapy, mindfulness training, and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy tailored specifically to your needs/goals. I invite you on the journey to your true self. It is my pleasure to be your guide. To learn more about my background, treatment approaches, and fee schedule, please visit my website www.drjennifermiller.com or my profile on Psychology Today.
Hi, I’m Shelby, an LCSW with 12+ years of experience helping women stop overthinking, trust their intuition, and create healthy, secure relationships. I help high-achieving, self-aware women who feel stuck in anxiety, trauma, or repeating relationship patterns.
You want to stop overthinking, move past painful memories, and finally trust yourself. My clients seek clarity, calm, and confidence in life and relationships... and the tools to make real, lasting change.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience spanning child welfare, institutional settings like the Department of Corrections and Kaiser Permanente, and private practice. This give me a uniquely grounded perspective on the full range of human experience. I've worked extensively with families, adolescents, and adults, helping people navigate mood and personality disorders, domestic violence, anger management, and the complex aftermath of adoption and reunification. I am culturally competent and committed to meeting every client exactly where they are, with unconditional positive regard and a deep belief that there are always underlying causes behind the symptoms and behaviors that bring someone to therapy.
I believe deeply in the power of connection, healing, and human resilience. I’ve spent over 20 years walking alongside children, adults, and families through some of life’s hardest seasons.
What motivates me the most in this work is how meaningful change and healing can occur when a person feels truly seen, supported, and valued. I’ve witnessed incredible strength in the face of hardship. I’m continually inspired by the courage it takes to show up and do the work. It’s sacred work, and I’m grateful every day to be doing it.
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.
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.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.