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Grief counselors and therapists in Santa Maria, CA


Top grief and loss counseling therapists in Santa Maria, CA
Grief counseling in Santa Maria helps you navigate loss with compassionate support. Headway connects you with 6,003 licensed therapists trained in evidence-based approaches like Complicated Grief Treatment and CBT to process bereavement and find meaning.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 4 years of experience. I have experience working with clients facing a variety of emotional and life challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment difficulties, trauma-related concerns, and postpartum disorders. I provide evidence-based psychotherapy that supports emotional wellbeing, healthy coping skills, and personal growth in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
My therapeutic approach is integrated and tailored to meet your unique needs. I often draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational interviewing.
I am a multi-state licensed therapist across California, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, specializing in helping adults navigate deep-seated mental health challenges alongside intense personal and professional transitions.
With vast clinical experience, I have served as a university career counselor, a specialist for healthcare professionals, and a dedicated clinician within both the US Navy Family Advocacy Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
My practice provides a highly supportive, practical space for college students, working adults at all career stages, healthcare workers, service members, Veterans, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
I blend empathetic listening with deep clinical insight to help you manage and heal from:
Core Mental Health & Neurodivergence:
Anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and identity exploration.
Trauma & Life Impact:
Complex trauma, PTSD, grief, loss, and managing chronic medical conditions.
Daily Survival:
Severe career burnout, relationship problems, and navigating life's overlapping pressures.
I am a seasoned behavioral health and forensic psychology leader with over 20 years of experience in county, correctional, and community settings. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, two master’s degrees, and I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist as of 2019. My work centers on trauma‐informed care, substance use, sexual abuse victims and offenders, crisis intervention, and forensic experiences.
I’m Rachel Benjamin, and I help individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges to build more authentic, connected, and empowered lives. Together, we’ll identify the patterns and barriers that have been holding you back and work toward lasting change around your strengths and values. If you are thinking about starting therapy, or returning after some time away, but feeling unsure, you’re not alone. Taking that first step can bring up a mix of emotions. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time, it likely means you’re ready to begin exploring meaningful change.
You’ve spent a lifetime caring for everyone else. My job is to help you finally exhale.
I’m Melissa Lou Koerner, LCSW — a therapist with 20+ years of experience helping people navigate the messy, meaningful, and often hilarious business of being human. I’m a generalist at heart, which means you don’t have to fit into a diagnostic box to work with me. If it’s part of your story, it’s welcome in the room.
Over the years I’ve supported adults, couples, families, caregivers, Veterans, adoptive families, and folks moving through grief, trauma, identity shifts, and major life transitions. From school hallways to hospice rooms to VA clinics to private practice, I’ve learned one thing over and over: people are far more resilient than they realize.
My style is warm, grounded, and practical. I blend trauma‐informed care, attachment work, and evidence‐based approaches with a healthy dose of humor — because sometimes the only way through a hard moment is to laugh at how absurd life can be.
And while I’m a true generalist, I’ll admit my favorite work these days is helping adults untangle enmeshment, estrangement, and parentification. There’s something powerful about watching people reclaim space in their own lives after years of carrying roles that were never theirs to begin with.
If you’re looking for a therapist who can help you untangle what’s heavy, honor what’s hopeful, and
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.
I am a bilingual therapist who is passionate about facilitating the healing process by collaborating with you to assist you with your goals. I strongly believe in creating safe spaces for clients without judgement.
I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. I provide a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences.
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California with 17 years of experience working as a Mental Health Clinician and a Behavioral Therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, anger management issues, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. My counseling style is warm, supportive, interactive, and focuses on my clients' needs.
I have over 7 years of experience working with depression and anxiety disorders, trauma, couples, and other severe mental health concerns. My goal is to create a comfortable, safe space where you can begin your therapeutic journey with confidence and without judgment. Together, we can openly explore what you want in—and out of—life. If you don't know what that looks like yet, that's okay. We can figure it out together. Your goals may also change along the way, and therapy should have the flexibility to change with you.
Welcome,
I’m glad you’re here. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. I am Eziaha Ihediwah a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and I specialize in working with individuals dealing with ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorder, this is a space where you will be heard, respected, and taken seriously. Your experiences matter, and your care will be tailored to you—not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Your role in this process Healing is a partnership. You’ll always have space to ask questions, express concerns, and be involved in decisions about your care. Progress may take time, but we will move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
If you ever feel overwhelmed between visits, please reach out. Support is available, and you deserve consistent care.
I look forward to working with you and supporting you toward stability, clarity, and improved quality of life.
I bring a wealth of experience from my work in child welfare for nearly 10 years, which has shaped me into a deeply trauma-informed practitioner. Over the years, I have supported clients of all ages and walks of life, including individuals facing complex socioeconomic stressors and diverse life circumstances. I am comfortable working with a wide range of mental health concerns, from mood disorders like anxiety and depression to more complex personality-based struggles. No matter your background or the challenge you are facing, I offer a stable, professional, and non-judgmental presence designed to help you process your experiences and move toward a healthier future.
I believe that therapy is a partnership, and my goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel truly heard. As a licensed clinical social worker, I specialize in supporting individuals as they navigate life’s transitions, stress, and anxiety. My approach is rooted in compassion and evidence-based practices, primarily utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a client-centered perspective to help you develop practical tools for your daily life. I am dedicated to working alongside you to build on your existing strengths, foster resilience, and help you create the change you are seeking. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone; I invite you to reach out so we can start this work together.
About our therapists in Santa Maria, CA who help people navigate grief and loss



- 100%Grief or loss
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 92%Stress management
- 86%Relationship issues

- 98%Aetna
- 81%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 78%Cigna
- 76%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 67%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 17%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Hindi

- 89%Online only
- 11%In-person or online

- 79%Woman
- 20%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 47%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 31%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 7%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Clinical Psychologist
- 6%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 26%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right grief counselor for you
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