Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Maria, CA

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have invested in clinical training as a graduate professor for the past 11 years, helping students move through their education into their careers. In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member for Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, I also held the title of Lead Faculty and Faculty Advisor for the University of Phoenix, providing expertise in clinical supervision, assessment, and treatment planning.

I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner based in California, and I built my practice around being a true advocate for the people I work with. I trained in both medication management and therapy, and I find that care is most effective when those two things work together. Whether you are managing a mood disorder, navigating anxiety or depression, or figuring out the right psychiatric medications, I take time to understand you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. My goal is for every client to feel genuinely heard, supported, and in control of their own mental health journey.

Hi! I've been in practice since 2011 and will tell everyone I meet that I LOVE my job! I love helping people understand themselves better, finding answers to questions, and sharing the moment when someone says "So THAT'S why that happens!" I love helping people unhook from beliefs that have brought debilitating guilt and shame. I love celebrating success with someone who has taken a risk, challenged their fears, and come out the other side victorious!

Hi I'm Eleanor! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and New Mexico. I am passionate about empowering people to build self-trust and self-acceptance. Most of my clients come to therapy because they want to make a change or cope with a change that they did not choose.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I veiw the path of a human life span, as each of us interact and peerceives the environment around us in our own unique way. My goal is to help clients look at their options, evaluate choices towarda healthier outcome. My work has involved in helping clients toward building better communication between couples, family members, and individual relationships. It is my belief that counseling / psychotherapy can provide a safe place where personal challenges can be processed, and finding choices toward enhancing the quality of life and improve relationships.

I'm not here to just listen while you talk — I'm here to work with you. I show up warm, engaged, and genuinely invested in your growth. I'll ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and, when the moment feels right, gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. You'll always feel heard and respected here, never judged.

Are you an adult feeling stuck after difficult experiences, a major life change, or a season of self-doubt? I support adults working through trauma, life transitions, stress, and questions of identity and self-worth. Together, we can make space for what you have been carrying and reconnect with your strengths. I believe you are capable of healing and building a life that feels meaningful to you. My role is to listen with care, meet you where you are, and help you discover what works for your whole self.

Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.

I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.