Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Ventura, CA

Hi, I'm Ellen, a psychotherapist who treats adults and adolescents 19 and up. I combine psychodynamic techniques with spirituality to create a session that offers both common sense and compassion, and also some creative and fun interventions! I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationships, and more. My approach is individualized to respect you and what you need or hope for in therapy. I am a marriage and family therapist with experience in school, clinic, and private practice.

Many of the women I work with grew up with high expectations & low emotional support. They learned to prioritize loyalty, achievement, or caregiving over their own needs. Over time, this can create anxiety, burnout, relationship struggles, and a deep sense of disconnection from the self. I specialize in working with women healing from abuse, emotionally unavailable parents & religious & intergenerational trauma. Many of my clients struggle with people-pleasing, guilt, perfectionism, hyper-independence, difficulty setting boundaries, or feelings of responsibility. They often know "why they are the way they are" but still feel stuck.

I believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel truly heard, understood, and supported. Life can get overwhelming, and sometimes the goals we set for ourselves feel just out of reach.

My approach to therapy is rooted in genuine connection. I’m here to help you clear the mental clutter, understand your past, rediscover your strengths, and build a practical roadmap toward the life you want to lead.

My focus and areas of interest are: Depression and Postpartum Depression, Parenting, Anxiety, Trauma-Related Issues.

I graduated University of Denver with my Bachelors and California Lutheran University with my masters degree.

Aloha nui loa, and welcome to new possibilities, as you step through the threshold of conscious self-care. Congratulation on taking that first step in reaching out for help. Let's start that process together by creating a treatment plan that will address your needs.

I help clients break the cycle of self-defeating patterns by exploring the lasting impact of early attachment wounds—especially the often unspoken pain of under-mothering and emotional neglect. My approach is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing begins when we de-stigmatize shame and make space for our unmet needs.

With certification in EMDR and advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), I support clients in working through trauma, grief, and relational challenges. My background also includes working with first responders and professional athletes navigating high-pressure roles and emotional resilience.

Whether you're facing anxiety, grief, or feeling stuck in old patterns, I provide a steady therapeutic presence—offering insight, empathy, and deep respect for your healing process. Together, we work toward greater self-trust, healthier boundaries, and a renewed sense of wholeness.

What we see as flaws often echo patterns rooted in early experiences that shaped our connections with ourselves and others. Trauma, unknowingly, informs these unconscious ways of being that once helped us navigate emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.

With 4+ years of experience treating eating disorders, trauma, and navigating life transitions across outpatient, intensive day programs (IOP/PHP), and residential settings, I bring a trauma-informed approach to help unravel these patterns.

I’m a clinical psychologist (doctor) in Ventura county, California, with over 25 years of experience and a practice designed to feel calm, human, and welcoming. Many of the patients I work with come to therapy feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, depressed, or stuck. They may be navigating trauma, grief, relationship pain, major life transitions, or the quiet weight of having tried to manage too much for too long. My work is for people who are ready for something deeper than just getting through the day. My approach is warm, grounded, and deeply human, focused on real life, not just symptoms.

Life can be especially difficult for people today. It is my goal to assist all my clients starting at age 3 years, through adults to learn how to make healthy and positive decisions in their lives and to empower them to have a good, healthy self image and to successfully move into their future.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationships with compassion and care. In my work as a Ketamine-Assisted Therapist, I support individuals healing from developmental and other traumatic experiences, offering a safe and grounded space for growth. My approach empowers clients to move beyond feeling stuck and discover a deeper sense of truth, resilience, and self.

As a Marriage and Family therapist, I take pleasure in helping clients acquire skills to build healthier relationships.

If you are looking to become a better, happier, and healthier person and would like to gain a deeper understanding and love for yourself and others, I can help you. Psychotherapy can improve the quality of your life and/or manage more serious issues such as depression, anxiety, and grief. The process focuses on comfortably connecting with you in a confidential and empathetic, therapeutic setting.

I'm a therapist offering in-person sessions in the Westlake Village area of Southern California, and telehealth to folks throughout California. I decided to become a therapist after many years of working in corporate America, and I have a Master's in Clinical Psychology and an LMFT license.