Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA covered by Aetna

Many of the struggles that bring us to therapy—anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, self-doubt, or feeling stuck—have deeper roots than we realize. Sometimes these patterns develop through painful experiences, major life transitions, or family systems that taught us to prioritize others, question ourselves, or adapt in ways that no longer serve us. Therapy offers the opportunity to understand these patterns and create lasting change.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the spouse of a retired Army Veteran, I've spent much of my adult life living in different parts of the country and world, continually building community and connection wherever life led. Those experiences deepened my understanding of resilience, belonging, and the many ways people adapt through change, loss, and transition. I bring that perspective into my work, creating a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where individuals, couples, and families feel genuinely seen and understood.

Together, we'll work to understand the deeper patterns shaping your life, strengthen your relationships, and help you move toward a more authentic, fulfilling way of living.

Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.

Hello and welcome! Taking the first step toward therapy can feel difficult, and I want to acknowledge the courage it can take to reach out. My name is Cynthia, though I go by Cyndra, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who primarily works with individuals.

My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by my own unexpected life transition. In 2010, I experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that dramatically changed the course of my life. During my recovery, I gained a deeper understanding of how challenging major life transitions can be and how important it is to have support while navigating uncertainty, loss, and change. I also became fascinated by how the brain works, how our experiences shape us, and our capacity to heal and adapt. That journey ultimately led me into the mental health field in 2012.

Since then, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals as they navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and other challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from ourselves.

I specialize in trauma-informed therapy for individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, life transitions, substance use, and self-harm. As a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor, I am passionate about helping clients heal and feel empowered through connection and collaboration. I am a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor and Disaster Mental Health Volunteer with the American Red Cross. My background in recovery, family systems, and creative direction informs a compassionate, whole-person perspective.

Hello, and welcome. I'm Laura, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work with children, teens, young adults, older adults, and professionals. I specialize in helping individuals navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.

I use she/her pronouns. I am a child of refugees. I have a Master of Social Work and did my Bachelor of Arts in Asian American Studies with a Minor in Global Health. I have worked with many individuals struggling with a range of challenges including but not limited to depression, anxiety, psychosis, alcohol and substance use/abuse, chronic health challenges such as HIV and diabetes, as well as gender affirming care. In my free time, I enjoy playing a variety of video games, going to live shows, grabbing a bite to eat with loved ones, exploring new areas, and riding my motorcycle.

If you’re living with trauma, anxiety, panic episodes, or the strain these issues place on your family, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I help individuals and families who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or afraid of repeating old patterns find stability, relief, and a clear path forward.

For 46 years, I’ve specialized in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorders.

I also work with families facing conflict, communication breakdowns, or the ripple effects of trauma. Together, we build practical skills that reduce reactivity, strengthen connection, and restore a sense of safety.

If you’re ready for therapy that is structured, compassionate, and guided by decades of clinical experience, I’m here to help you take the next step.

My orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy influenced by philosophy. The foundation of therapy is acceptance, unconditional positive regard and emotional support. The therapist partners with the client to clarify their thoughts to provide new skills and insights which increase the client coping skills and resiliency He educates and teaches about psychiatric disorders as depression and anxiety and the skills to overcome tthm.

There's a version of getting through life that looks completely fine from the outside and feels exhausting on the inside. I work with teens, young adults, and adults who are carrying more than it shows: anxiety, the aftereffects of trauma, major life transitions, or relationship patterns that keep repeating in ways that are hard to explain. I have a particular focus on trauma and attachment wounds and work with many clients who've spent years managing symptoms without ever addressing what's underneath them. My practice is warm and genuinely collaborative. I'll show up as a real partner in your growth, not a distant presence behind a notepad.