Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Maria, CA

Feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or heartbroken? Life can be challenging, and sometimes we all need support. I'd be honored to help you walk through your difficult situations and emotions. With several years of experience helping people from all walks of life, I take a non-judgmental approach tailored to your unique circumstances, helping you heal, solve problems, manage challenges, and grow into the person you want to be.

Introduction

I primarily use a cognitive behavioral approach. My focus area of practice is helping clients improve their lives and find meaningful change.

My communication style

My sessions are calm, collegial, interactive, respectful, directive, and helpful.

How I help clients reach goals

Change does not necessarily take a long time. We're 'shooting for the moon' right away. What's the worst that could happen?

My journey to becoming a provider

Helping others help themselves is an absolute privilege! I'd pay them to do this work (but please don't tell them that.) How did I get here? It's a long story. I originally went to college to be a journalist, but changed to broadcasting. Dumb. I needed to jumpstart my life, so I changed to this profession. Talk about purpose and meaning!

You may have held doubts about talk therapy and perhaps are thinking therapy may not work at all for what you are dealing with. Psychotherapy like all science is continually changing. Both new and long held approaches to well-being are vast. I invite you to consider Brainspotting before you rule out therapy entirely. My role as a Brainspotting clinician is to offer you support, as you discover your innate capacity for positive self change. I specialize in trauma focused therapy, specializing in treating anxiety disorders. I focus on various forms of addiction, OCD, behavioral issues, depression, bi-polar and mood disorders.

I am a masters level trained Brainspotting clinician and a U.S. Army veteran. I believe in facilitating change in a supportive environment, following and observing your amazing capacity to heal from trauma in your therapeutic work. I work with veterans, first-responders, and other populations struggling with unresolved trauma and anxiety disorders.

Your unique circumstances are to be understood, honored respected and explored in a judgement free, supportive and caring environment. The issues that you bring into therapy remain entirely up to you. I will listen to your wants and needs; joining you on the journey towards your desired sense of well-being.

Healthy relationships don't happen by accident—they're built through understanding, communication, and the willingness to grow. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, feeling disconnected from your partner, navigating relationship conflict, or facing intimacy concerns, you don't have to work through it alone.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree from Pepperdine University, and I specialize in helping adults and couples create healthier relationships with themselves and the people they love. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental while also being practical and goal-oriented. I believe lasting change happens when clients feel genuinely understood while also being challenged to grow.

Together we'll identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, strengthen communication, develop practical coping skills, and build deeper emotional and relational connection. Whether you're working through anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or questions surrounding intimacy, my goal is to help you leave therapy feeling more confident, connected, and equipped to create meaningful change.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I support clients in exploring intimacy, identity, and relationships with care and openness. I strive to honor your values, culture, and lived experience so you feel respected, understood, and empowered throughout our work together.

My passion is to empower those that have not found their potential. We all have our own stories and experiences which makes us perfect candidates for success when we have the right support. Whether you have lived it, experienced it or witnessed it, the effects of trauma are devastating. Quit beating yourself up. It is time to heal. With 20 years experience in addiction and over 10 working with trauma, it is time to recover from the past, survive the present, and flourish into the future. It all starts with you.

I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.

Welcome to my Therapy practice. Here we will work together to explore where you currently are emotionally, and work to get you to where you would like to be.

I believe that everyone needs to fell heard and understood. You and I are a team to prioritize your mental health and well-being.

I take a Psychodynamic approach to understanding your past. This is your therapy session and I welcome any and all feedback.

I look forward to working with you.

Life can be difficult, challenging, and overwhelming at times. I am here to partner with you and assist you in your journey toward growth and wellness. I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed clinical therapist with over 20 years or experience in mental health.