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Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA
Addiction recovery in Santa Monica doesn't mean going it alone. Headway's network includes providers specializing in substance use disorders, cravings management, and withdrawal support through modalities like ACT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Schedule a free intake call and connect with someone experienced—availability within days.
Melinda Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy. I received my MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002 and I have been licensed since 2008.
People come to therapy for different reasons. Sometimes something clearly isn't working. Other times, life may look okay on the surface, but you feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure about what you want next. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life changes, as well as those wanting to better understand themselves and the patterns that keep showing up in their lives.
My approach is warm, grounded, and curious. I’m interested in understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, including your thoughts and emotions, the patterns you've developed over time, and how your experiences show up in your body. Therapy can be a place to make sense of those experiences while finding ways to move forward that feel meaningful and true to you.
As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I offer therapy in both English and Spanish. I strive to create a space where you can speak openly, feel understood, and explore your experiences in the context of your relationships, culture, identity, and the life you’ve lived.
Welcome and thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. As a licensed therapist practicing in both California and New York, I believe deeply in the inherent resilience and transformative potential within every individual. I earned my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout my clinical practice, I have supported clients across all life stages in navigating complex emotional challenges, including trauma, anxiety, and depression, while empowering them to cultivate healthy, fulfilling interpersonal relationships.
I have a passion for helping people navigate life's challenges. Seeking help can feel like a big step, but it is also a powerful one. I offer a collaborative and nonjudgemental space for discovering strengths and with helping you feel empowered.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use located within 20 miles of Santa Monica, CA



- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 100%Anxiety
- 93%PTSD
- 93%Depression
- 88%Stress management

- 100%Aetna
- 76%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 62%Cigna
- 60%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 50%Providence Health Plan

- 95%English
- 10%Spanish
- 7%Armenian
- 5%Farsi
- 5%French

- 100%In-person or online

- 52%Woman
- 45%Man
- 2%Non-binary

- 62%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 19%Nurse Practitioner
- 10%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 5%Clinical Psychologist
- 2%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 55%Family therapy
- 45%Couples therapy
- 21%Child or adolescent therapy
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