Therapists serving clients in Watsonville, CA

(NO PHONE OR VIDEO at this time - but we can discuss live chat as needed after we start therapy, and come up with a schedule that works for us both) One of the hardest steps to take can simply be to ask for help. Many individuals feel that this makes them weak, especially if they have been accustomed to being told that they need to be tough or “keep it in the family”. But the simple fact that you have reached out for help speaks volumes about not only your resilience but also your strength. It is very common to feel overwhelmed, confused, and lost in an emotional place that feels like it has no way out. But we can work as a team to help you rise above this feeling, to be able to see what is at the other side of the “hill”, and help you visualize a path that you can follow. My goal is to facilitate the process of helping individuals become aware of and make choices toward living what they perceive to be a more fulfilled life and helping them to identify and address any barriers (actual and perceived) they may face. My approach is client-centered and strengths-based – you are the expert on what you want and what you need. I can help you when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. My goal is to facilitate, gently challenge at times, and guide your journey to wellness by helping you to change the things that are no longer working for you. I am a licensed clinical psychologist, based in the Orange County Area of California, specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and the psychological effects of living with chronic medical conditions. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with substance use disorders, have a history of trauma, including work-related trauma such as that experienced in first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, and military, as well as individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental illness, as well as mood disorders. Additionally, individuals who are working on reintegrating with their community and adjusting to life after a period of incarceration are always welcome and encouraged to seek assistance in this process and this is something I am experienced in facilitating. I utilize a range of treatment methodologies including Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Object-Relations, Existential, Humanistic, Person-Centered, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), and Strength-Based approaches in my work with adult clients, and can offer Psychological Testing and Evaluation as well. In terms of my therapy approach, I will always meet you with unconditional positive regard. My approach is always individualized and based on approaches that you are most comfortable with and can best benefit from. I provide a safe holding environment that includes empathetic listening, guidance, and support based on what your goals and objectives are. Together we can explore your cognitions, behaviors, and beliefs that seem to be standing in the way of what you want for yourself, to provide you insight on them, and to help you grow from them. Perhaps uniquely among clinicians who provide services in this setting, I have extensive experience working with individuals in the community mental health setting as well as in the forensic setting (state prison and probation), and with individuals struggling with substance abuse, severe and persistent mental illness, as well as homelessness. Some fun trivia (which also gives me a unique insight into trauma and health effects on mental health - prior to my work in the field of mental health, I was actually a medic and field training officer in the emergency medical services field for well over a decade, so I also have extensive experience in dealing with individuals who struggle with trauma especially as it relates to work. **Please be aware that I check into the platform on the five days I work online (weekdays). Please leave me a detailed message and understand that I will get back to you within 24 hours (during reasonable business hours). It is important you are aware of this not being an emergency service. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. **

I have been working as a Marriage and Family Therapist for 18 years and I have been licensed in the State of California since 2007. I completed my Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Chapman University in Monterey, California, and have worked with individuals and families in a variety of settings, including community resource centers and residential treatment facilities. I have treated a variety of issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, anger management, stress management, and various adjustment problems. As we have entered an age of solution-focused brief therapy, my treatment approach is strength-based and cognitive-behavioral; however, I tailor-fit my treatment approach to each client in order to treat their individual and unique issues. I begin the therapeutic process by taking time to get to know the client and what he or she addresses in the therapy session so I can meet the client where he or she is at, build on strengths the client possesses, and collaboratively develop a treatment plan with the client in order to help him or her move forward. I believe I can help the client using this approach, especially since successful therapy depends on the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.

Shannon Lee is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Shannon has over 30 years of experience working with children and families in various settings. Shannon has worked with high profile families, including royalty, traveling to different countries, broadening her understanding and appreciation for the cultural variety and cultural differences that exist in the world.   She has over 23 years of experience working as a therapist with a highly diverse population of individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families. Shannon has a positive, supportive manner with a direct solution-focused approach. Shannon is down to earth and uses laughter, humor, art, music, and creativity to reach children, adolescents, and adults.    Her focus is on the present. She is working with each client to purge past painful experiences, coaching each client to acquire and apply skills to help them improve functioning and decrease maladaptive symptoms. She believes that each client is unique and tailors each session to that client and their needs. She collaborates with the individual concerning goals and works toward assisting them in meeting their goals to live life fully with a positive outlook.    She will work to empower each client, using an enthusiastic nonjudgmental approach. Open discussion of the direction of the session will help the client meet their needs and goals. At the same time, gentle confrontation of issues supports change as appropriate to increase coping skills and awareness.    Shannon has extensive experience working with children and adolescents. She has worked with children and teens from privileged backgrounds to those underprivileged, lacking resources, and family support. Shannon has run several residential group homes (Level 12) for nearly ten years, with a diverse population of children and teens placed in residential care due to severe behavioral and emotional problems. She has worked with abused, neglected, and delinquent children as well as children and teens struggling with teen issues and parent conflict. She has worked closely with the Department of Probation and other community organizations. She was collaborating to promote juveniles to acquire skills to assist them in making healthy choices and move forward confidently in their lives, to reunite with their families, and be successful in the home, community, and school settings.    Her work with parents is to encourage them to gain positive parenting skills. She works closely with each parent, modeling and coaching the use of effective communication skills to increase positive interactions with children. Encouragement to parents includes using a positive and practical approach with children. Support to parents to validate and understand their children, as well as increasing consistency, follow-through, and positive parenting techniques, provides an encouraging environment. Encouragement to parents includes taking responsibility for parenting, receiving, and accepting support to implement new strategies, resulting in improved relationships.    The therapeutic environment provided is warm, caring, and confidential, focusing on the client-therapist relationship and effective treatment. Depending on presenting information and goals, Shannon will use several treatment modalities to assist each client with improving functioning and using the well researched, effective methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy, including DBT and several other treatment modalities, tailored to suit the client. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-D.B.T. is an evidence-based approach for effectively treating impulsive behavior, oppositional defiant behavior, and self-injuring behavior. Originally designed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was specifically used for individuals with self-harm behaviors such as self-cutting, suicide thoughts, urges to suicide, and suicide attempts. More recent use of DBT addresses other problems, including anxiety, eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and drug problems. DBT is an “empirically supported treatment,” researched in clinical trials and shown to be effective in reducing self-harm behaviors and emotional dyscontrol. Trained in DBT, Shannon uses this modality, or components of this modality when working with many of her clients. Other approaches for treatment include eclectic, humanistic, positive psychology, parent coaching, family/marital therapy, and existential. The approach for treatment depends on each client and their presenting problems and goals.    When Shannon is not working, she is surfing, creating, making art, or music. Shannon also appreciates education and learning and is regularly pursuing educational goals. Currently, she continues to pursue her doctorate with a plan to continue to help children, teens, parents, and families. Providing effective treatment and staying informed with current developments and research in psychology is necessary and rewarding for Shannon.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with over 13 years of experience working as Clinical and Medical Social Worker. I have had the honor to work with clients with a wide range of life circumstances including chronic illness and disability, terminal illness and end of life, and supporting adults and their families navigate complex medical systems by way of providing empathic, mindful, and client-centered care. The individuals I've worked with have histories of addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, and immigration issues. My previous clients have been multi-cultural, POC, and LGBTQA. Through this work, I've had the privilege to counsel individuals and families in moments of great fragility and unknown. I try to offer a safe and accepting space for individuals through being present, paying attention with intention, and understanding I am purely a bystander on their path; they are their best teacher. Yet sometimes, we don't want to look at the lessons we have already learned, or it's too challenging to change unhelpful thought patterns that restrict our lives and opportunities. I would like to help you approach some of those hard lessons and sticky patterns, so you can move forward, even just a few steps ahead. My style is warm, calm, empowering and present. It is extremely important that the individuals I work with feel safe, heard and provided with the opportunity to identify the areas of which they would like to focus on in counseling without judgement or bias. My approach combines mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and humanistic therapies. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I honor whatever has brought you here to seek support, and recognize it is not always an easy first step. I look forward to meeting with you, and thank you for considering me as a counselor on your path. Please take a look at my profile to learn more about my experience and style.

I believe that the success of therapy is largely dependent on the relationship I have with my clients. CS Lewis once said, "To love at all is to be vulnerable." I think that vulnerability is a precious gift that is not to be taken lightly. It's very important that my clients feel safe to express that vulnerability in a non-judgmental environment that inspires trust. I work with clients according to their self-identified, strengths, needs and goals. Together we craft a path toward insight with compassion and motivation at your pace. I have over 20 years of experience working in the field of child welfare including foster and adoptive care. I also worked in private practice and helped clients with depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, secondary trauma, parenting challenges, and workplace pressure. I have a MA in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Organizational Psychology. I use a variety of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative and Solution-Focused therapies, Psychodynamic Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I am a certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach (for parenting intense children and youth) and am also a certified life coach. I look forward to partnering with you on your journey.

Changes in life circumstances can cause stress, anxiety, anger, depression and a whole host of other emotions. Your experiences are important to me and as a Therapist my role is to work with you to provide support, hope and healing. Throughout the treatment process, we will develop meaningful insight, solutions, and new strategies for the challenges you are experiencing. I am Cherie Dockery, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 15 years experience working with adults, youth and families experiencing depression, trauma, addiction, crisis, anxiety and other life issues. I utilize a non-judgmental and empathic approach, emphasizing your natural abilities and strengths to support growth and healing in a safe, comfortable environment. My clinical approach includes Cognitive-Behavioral, Person Centered, Solution Focused, Family Systems Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. It takes strength to want to change and courage to ask for help. I look forward to working with you.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California and possess a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). Discussion of the challenges you are facing, exploration of your life history, insight driven conversations, and patience are important aspects of my personal approach; and compliment my use of cognitive-behavioral, relational, and practical treatment modalities. My therapy style is warm, interactive, non-judgmental, and one that uses humor to develop a respectful and engaging therapeutic relationship. I am trained and have experience both as a consultant and therapist, and may offer faith-based counseling to those who request this support. I value hope and helping individuals to gain clarity to achieve their personal goals. An individual's personal experience is important to me, and I work with them to develop a sense of focus to help them navigate even the most challenging situations. I possess over 25 years of practice in the behavioral health field. Over my career I have worked with many clients, patients, and families within the community, hospital settings, and through many different organizations. I specialize in working with people who have experienced trauma, significant changes in their lives, marital or relationship issues, job or work related concerns, and those suffering from grief or loss. My experience in executive leadership and administration has also afforded many opportunities to serve as a professional coach or mentor to whose looking to improve their educational, relationship, or career paths. My education includes a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from Howard University; a Master’s degree in Social Service specializing in Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups from Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; and a Master’s degree and Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I recognize that seeking help can be a difficult step. So I hope that you see this as a testament to your desire for change and your courage. Remember to take one step at a time. I am here to empower you on this journey - and look forward to potentially working with you.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist With 9 plus years of working in California. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns, including Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Trauma-related symptoms. My therapy style is warm and interactive. Treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. It takes courage to seek a happier more fulfilling life and to take the first step towards change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you! Kathrine

I have been a licensed clinical social worker for over 28 years in California. My clinical experience includes working with children, families and adults, including those who are or have been in the foster care system. I am someone who enjoys listening and working with all different kinds of people; I believe that everyone deserves to live their best lives, and therapy is an excellent path to achieve that goal. In my practice, I teach cognitive behavioral skills, assisting clients to identify their inaccurate thoughts and change them to thoughts that are grounded in reality. Once thoughts begin changing, feelings and actions also change, allowing for new healing experiences. This approach is particularly effective for people who are experiencing depression and anxiety. Please note that I do not practice either messaging therapy or couples therapy. Beginning the wellness journey is a courageous step, and I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!