Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Sierra Madre, CA covered by Aetna

Hello! I am Dr. Efrain Zepeda. I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Social Worker. In the past 26 years of working as a mental health professional, one important lesson I have learned is that the most powerful therapeutic intervention is found in the interpersonal experience that occurs in the client-therapist relationship. Together we can analyze the past to co-create a new meaning to achieve healing. I strongly believe that therapy is not about labeling or judging, but rather about personal discovery.

I bring 20 years of experience in many areas of therapy including LGBT specializations, drug/alcohol issues specialization, and a client centered approach

Growing up in California, Colorado and Tennessee concocted a Midwestern warmth with an open-mindedness and appreciation of our differences. These experiences gave me a curiosity for how humans develop in their environments and with their unique histories, leading me to pursue psychology.

I studied Political Science at Vanderbilt University before a seven year tenure in the corporate world. I am grateful for this experience as it has added depth and perspective to my work with clients. In 2014 I began my counseling psychology degree at The Wright Institute in Berkeley and then completed my training in San Francisco. My training journey encompassed internships at community mental health clinics, elementary and high schools, group therapy practices, and social service sites where I received intensive supervision in a variety of modalities. I regularly attend trainings and consult with colleagues to hone my craft and provide the best possible care.

Hello and welcome to my psychotherapy practice. My name is Matthew and I have been practicing as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Francisco and Los Angeles for over twenty years. I honor diversity and inclusion and provide a curious, non-judgmental space for reflection, healing and transformation. As a therapist, I bring a mix of pragmatic feedback and practical skills development to empower my clients to grow and change. As an Attachment-Focused EMDR therapist, I support clients with PTSD and interpersonal trauma to heal and become more present. I hold a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and I serve individuals, couples, families, youth, and the LGBTQ community.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY & PSYCHOANALYSIS

I invite you to say what you would never say in ordinary conversation. I specialize in anxiety, depression, difficult to describe dissatisfaction, work/career difficulties, low self-esteem, sexual problems, imposter syndrome, men's issues, creative blocks, sexual abuse, and relationship issues.

I'm a multicultural first generation female. I enjoy having the privilege to work with a variety of people in an effort to improve lives.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and practical. I pull from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, but I also lean into a humanistic style, meaning I see you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis or a set of symptoms.

I believe therapy should feel like a safe, judgment-free space where you can show up as you are. Whether we’re exploring your relationships, working through anxiety or depression, or identifying what really matters to you, my goal is to support your growth with curiosity, care, and clarity.

I also value realness, I’ll challenge you when it’s helpful, offer insight when you're stuck, and celebrate the progress you might overlook. You're the expert on your life; I’m here to help you reconnect with that truth and build the kind of change that lasts.

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.