Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Maria, CA

You’re smart, self-aware, and successful in many areas of life—but relationships are where you struggle.

I help clients who feel stuck in toxic or unfulfilling relationships rebuild their self-trust, break free from people-pleasing, and develop healthy boundaries—so they can start creating relationships that feel emotionally safe, respectful, and real.

Are you questioning yourself constantly, second-guessing your needs, feeling anxious when you speak up, and guilty when you say no? You may have done the inner work—but you still find yourself repeating the same patterns in love. I'm passionate about helping my clients build more fulfilling relationships.

I have over 30 years of clinical, counseling and administrative experience working with individuals and couples, addressing the unique issues related to their unique life experiences. I have extensive professional and personal experience with military families and veterans. I understand first-hand the struggles of grief and medical conditions that impact all aspects of life. I have supported chronically and terminally ill patients, individuals living with cancer or chronic medical diagnoses, as well as parents experiencing infertility, peripartum, and postpartum depression. Whether dealing with life transitions, parenting, depression, anxiety, or divorce, or simply seeking to express yourself and feel more confident, I am here to walk with you, provide insights, and support you toward lasting change.

Hi, I’m Dr. Lizeth Moreno. I am a first-generation Salvadoran Latina who provides therapy for individuals seeking personal growth, healing, and a deeper understanding of themselves across various stages of life. My work focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, respected, and emotionally safe. I understand that reaching out for support can feel difficult, and I strive to provide a space where you can explore your experiences, develop insight, and work toward meaningful change. My goal is to help clients build greater self-awareness and strengthen coping strategies.

Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.

My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.

I believe healing begins with feeling genuinely understood, supported, and accepted. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that lasting change happens when people can safely explore their experiences without judgment.

Growing up in a military family and spending decades serving as a flight medic, deputy sheriff, and firefighter taught me how deeply connection, trust, and stability shape emotional well-being, especially in environments where vulnerability can feel risky or costly. Those experiences continue to influence the way I work with clients today, creating a space where people can show up authentically and feel supported as they navigate life's challenges.

I work with adults facing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the emotional demands of everyday life. Together, we identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, develop practical tools for navigating challenges, and build on the strengths you already possess.

I value authenticity, curiosity, and clear communication, and I strive to create a space where clients feel comfortable being themselves. For clients who desire it, I also offer faith-informed counseling that thoughtfully integrates spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process, recognizing that faith can be an important source of meaning, resilience, and healing.

Whether you are navigating a difficult season, working through longstanding concerns, or simply seeking greater clarity and balance, I am committed to helping you build resilience, increase self-understanding, and create meaningful change.

If you've been managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, or a mood that just won't cooperate, you're probably looking for more than a quick prescription. I'm Sydney, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner in California, and I take time to understand your full picture before making any recommendations.