Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA

As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.

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.

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.

Susanna is committed to an integrative, dynamic, and holistic approach that emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance in the healing process. She believes that with the right motivation and the willingness to engage in meaningful work, individuals can achieve their personal and emotional goals. Susanna’s clinical expertise covers a broad spectrum, including trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, and issues related to relationships and families.

I’m Emmanuel Garcia, a Mexican American therapist, first-generation college graduate, and founder of Radiate Hope Therapy. I specialize in supporting adults and adolescents navigating trauma, substance use, identity struggles, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Many of the people I work with feel weighed down by emotions or uncertain about their direction, especially during sobriety or recovery.

Growing up, I witnessed how mental health was often stigmatized and silenced, especially for men in Latino communities. I know how isolating that silence can feel. My own journey through therapy and recovery taught me that true strength isn’t in staying quiet, it’s in showing up for yourself and beginning to heal. That lived experience shapes the empathy, understanding, and care I bring to every session.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with a PsyD in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I provide individual therapy to adults from a culturally informed and collaborative perspective. My clinical experience includes providing individual therapy and psychological assessments to children, adolescents, and adults across community mental health and group practice settings. I work with individuals with a variety of presenting problems including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relational difficulties, identity challenges, stress management concerns, and cultural and ethnic issues.

Before entering the mental health field, I worked in community-based roles within the nonprofit and education sectors, including three years working with children and families in Kuwait. These experiences have strengthened my ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and foster an accepting, adaptable therapeutic approach tailored to each client’s unique needs.

It's hard to find non-judgmental therapy, especially when dealing with subjects that evoke shame. That's why I collaborate to create a therapy that meets you as you are. I hold an affirming space for marginalized orientations, neurotypes, and relationship styles. We can work to navigate major issues like trauma, sexuality and life changes, or an ongoing condition like depression or anxiety. I am also passionate about supporting people through their gender journeys. My therapy is not just inclusive, but is LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity affirming. I also enjoy working with couples or relationship groups as they navigate challenges.