Find a therapist in Santa Monica, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Santa Monica, CA accepting new patients
Mental health care in Santa Monica is accessible through Headway's network of 8,375 providers. Whether you're in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, or beyond, find compassionate support through virtual or in-person sessions covered by insurance with copays starting at $0.
Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I’m a warm and compassionate therapist with several years of experience working in mental health. I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and work with people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply wanting to understand themselves more deeply. I take a collaborative approach, tailoring our sessions to your unique needs and goals. My priority is creating a space where you feel supported, seen, and safe to explore whatever comes up.
Shana Bujake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She specializes in working with individuals who are recovering from narcissistic abuse, navigating life transitions, or struggling with relationship challenges and self-worth.
With a strong background in trauma-informed care, she provides a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, gain clarity, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Her work is deeply rooted in helping clients build resilience and create meaningful change in their lives.
Dr. Bacher is a holistic, trauma-informed psychologist with over 15 years experience working at many of the top residential treatment centers in the U.S. and Europe. He specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship issues, and addiction. Dr. Bacher completed his undergraduate work in Psychology at Georgetown University, and his Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. His dissertation research focused on Positive Psychology--specifically meaning making--and how to cultivate positive strengths in individuals.
Having been in therapy myself, I've experienced firsthand its positive impact, helping me overcome my anxiety and equipping me with practical tools I still use today. I understand that repeatedly answering 'How does that make you feel?' can be frustrating. Drawing from my personal experience both as a therapy client and practitioner in a treatment center setting, I bring energy into my sessions and build momentum to help clients get unstuck and face their Anxiety & OCD with confidence.
We all reach seasons of life that feel bigger than what we expected to carry.
Maybe becoming a parent has felt more overwhelming than you imagined. Maybe your baby spent time in the NICU, and life after coming home hasn't looked the way you thought it would. Maybe you're a new dad trying to find your footing, feeling anxious, disconnected, or unsure of where you fit. Maybe you're worried about your child's development, or maybe you're navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, or a major life transition of your own.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families, with specialized experience supporting early childhood mental health, developmental differences and neurodiversity, pregnancy and postpartum, and families navigating NICU stays and medically complex journeys.
Whatever brings you here, my goal is to help you better understand what's happening, feel more confident moving forward, and create meaningful change that lasts beyond the therapy space.
I work collaboratively to explore patterns that may leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, or life transitions, therapy can offer space to gain insight and create meaningful change. I specialize in working with those who overthink, worry, people-please, struggle with boundaries, or put others’ needs first. Therapy can help you better understand these patterns, develop a stronger sense of self, and build practical coping skills. I offer an open, nonjudgmental space to explore these topics with compassion and a sense of humor.
About our therapists located within 20 miles of Santa Monica, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 90%Relationship issues
- 89%Depression
- 83%Family issues
- 81%Stress management

- 100%Aetna
- 63%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 63%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 48%Cigna
- 45%Providence Health Plan

- 95%English
- 9%Spanish
- 7%Farsi
- 4%Armenian
- 2%French

- 98%In-person or online
- 2%In-person only

- 71%Woman
- 28%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 64%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 15%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 7%Nurse Practitioner
- 6%Clinical Psychologist

- 100%Individual therapy
- 37%Family therapy
- 33%Couples therapy
- 13%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 Monica
Searching for therapists in Santa Monica starts with finding someone whose training matches the kind of support you want. Therapists may focus on concerns like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, work stress, or life transitions. As you compare options, look for specialties and approaches that match your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma-informed care, or couples counseling. A therapist’s profile can also show how they describe their style, what to expect in sessions, and who they commonly work with.
In a smaller local market like Santa Monica, your best-fit therapist may be nearby, or they may offer virtual appointments from another part of California. In-person care may be easier if you want an office near your home, work, or regular route through Santa Monica, West LA, Brentwood, or Pacific Palisades. Virtual care can expand your options if you need more schedule flexibility or want to compare more therapists who are licensed in California. Before booking, check whether the therapist is accepting new patients, has appointment times that fit your calendar, offers a free phone consultation, and explains their approach clearly in their bio.
Therapy in Santa Monica can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and make ongoing care easier to plan for. Headway helps you search for therapists who are accepting new patients, confirm your insurance details, and see an estimated out-of-pocket cost before you book. You can browse profiles, compare virtual and in-person availability, and book directly when you’re ready.
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.
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